HSE's mychild.ie unwraps its Santa-approved 2025 "Nice list" for healthy holidays

To help parents prepare for the festive season ahead, the HSE’s mychild.ie shares some tips and advice to keep everyone, happy, healthy, safe and having fun.

Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead for the HSE’s Child Health Public Health Programme and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said:

“This time of the year can be magical, but it can also be overwhelming for children and parents alike. Our 2025 ‘Nice list’ is all about helping families by taking the pressure off this Christmas because a few small steps can make a big difference. Taking some things off your ‘to do’ list, anticipating times your child might be overwhelmed and being aware of child safety when visiting family and friends can help make the season a little easier and more enjoyable. Illnesses can spread quickly at this time of year, so it’s also important to protect more vulnerable family members, including pregnant women and newborns.”

Dr Katharine Harkin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Child Health Public Health, said:

“Santa is busy getting all the toys ready and it’s important for anyone giving presents to make sure they are safe and age suitable. Check that toys are not a choking risk for children aged under 3 - these include small and often round-shaped objects such as marbles and beads.”

The 2025 “Nice list” festive top tips:

1. Expect ho-ho-no

There can be unrealistic expectations that children will enjoy every moment of the holidays, but this time of year can be overwhelming for them too. With routines disrupted and lots of visiting, they may simply need more rest and familiar time at home.

Difficulties often arise when children are hungry, tired, or bored, so planning for long journeys, shopping trips, or large gatherings and building in daily downtime can make the festive season much easier for everyone.

2. ‘Elf and safety’ checks

You and your family might be spending time in the homes of friends and relatives which are not child-proofed.

Supervise children closely and watch for hazards like:

• sharp objects, matches, medicines, cleaning products, alcohol left in glasses, essential oils and reed diffusers
• seasonal plants (poinsettia, holly, ivy, mistletoe) - all potentially poisonous
• button batteries - keep them out of reach of children as they are harmful if swallowed and are a choking risk. They can be found in musical cards, books, novelty decorations like singing Santas or light-up ornaments, flameless candles and other small electronic devices.

Call the Poisons Information Line on 01 809 2166 if you think your child has been exposed to poison. The service is available from 8am to 10pm every day, including Christmas Day.

3. Careful this kiss-mas

Newborn and premature babies are at particular risk from viruses circulating at this time of year. This is because their body hasn’t had much time to build up immunity to common bugs. It might feel awkward, but it’s a good idea to ask ahead if anyone is unwell with cold or flu symptoms and reschedule if they are.

Newborns are adorable and everyone wants Christmas cuddles, but it’s okay to not want too many people kissing or holding your baby, or to ask people to wash their hands before coming in to contact with the baby. Family and friends are there to support you - they will understand that protecting young babies who might get significantly unwell is the priority. 

Coming into contact with the cold sore virus (herpes simplex) can be very serious and even fatal for newborn babies. 

If you (or someone else) develop a cold sore or think you have a herpes infection:

• do not kiss a baby
• wash your hands before contact with a baby
• cover up any cold sores before breastfeeding to avoid touching your mouth and then your breast.

4. Santa-approved toy checks

Parents, loved ones and Santa and his elves can help keep children safe by making sure toys:

• are right for the child’s age and developmental stage - be aware that older children may share unsuitable toys with a younger child
• are in good condition as broken toys can be dangerous
• have the CE quality mark, this shows they have met the required safety standard
• are not a choking risk for children aged under 3 - these include small and often round-shaped objects such as marbles, beads, coins, marker caps and bottle tops. Water beads should be avoided if children are under 5 years of age
• don’t have parts that are sharp or detach and break easily, any part that comes loose should be too large for a child to swallow
• don’t have magnets, swallowing magnets can cause serious injury
• don’t have strings as they are a strangulation risk
• are stored out of the way when not being used so they don't cause trips or falls
• are stored somewhere a child doesn’t need to climb to reach.

Get more advice on toy safety from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commissioner (CCPC).

Manual scooters are on many wish lists this Christmas. Ask Santa for one suitable for your child’s age, weight, and height plus a helmet and protective gear.  Injuries linked to e-scooters are on the rise. Keep younger children off them. It is strongly advised not to give e-scooters to children under 16 years of age.

5. Stay off the naughty list, cover that sneeze!

Remind your child how to wash their hands and cover coughs and sneezes. These simple but important practices make a huge difference in helping to stop the spread of infection.

Flu and RSV are circulating at the moment, and children are much more likely to get these infections than adults.

Bring your children for all their recommended vaccines. 

6. Avoid a visit from the tooth fairy this Christmas!

It’s a time of year when dental accidents can happen, especially as children enjoy new bikes and scooters. If this happens, seek dental advice as soon as possible.

Don’t forget to take care of your teeth, keep up your brushing routine, and avoid an unnecessary visit from the tooth fairy!

7. Be kind to yourself - look after you too

Christmas isn’t just for kids, take some time for yourself too. A relaxing bath, your favourite music, a grown-up festive movie, or even 10 minutes of fresh air can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to rein in your ‘to do’ list. There’s often pressure to create a perfect Christmas, but you don’t need to spend lots of time or money to make it meaningful. Consider swapping unnecessary tasks or purchases for enjoyable activities like simple play at home, winter walks, easy recipes, drawing, Christmas crafts, board games, or free community events.

Dr Collins concluded:

“Our final festive tip comes straight from the North Pole: an early bedtime for all on Christmas Eve!  From all of us at mychild.ie, we wish every family a safe, healthy, and very happy Christmas.”

The HSE’s mychild.ie is a resource for parents and parents-to-be with advice on pregnancy, babies and toddlers. This includes common conditions, parenting and child safety.