Holiday treats are everywhere your child goes this time of year: school parties, friends’ fetes and good old grandma’s house. The preponderance of festive fodder can be overwhelming to a parent of a child with life-threatening food allergies. Rein in the anxiety and check this list twice for handy tips from a mom and teacher, doctor, and FARE (Food Allergy Research Education organization). Hopefully, you’ll sleep easier and have visions of sugar plums rather than Epi-pens dancing in your head.

Laura Pierce, central Arkansas kindergarten teacher and mom:

Two of our three children have food allergies. Now that our children are older, they know to always ask if there are peanuts or tree nuts in goodies that are provided at parties. Many times, I have brought their own treats and food to parties or family gatherings to avoid cross-contamination or any other mishaps. Because we have dealt with food allergies since our son was just a baby, allergies are just a part of who we are. We monitor and adjust the best we can.

The most important advice I can give as a parent and teacher is to make sure your children are aware of the seriousness of food allergies, regardless if your child has them or not. Also as a teacher, I make sure I am aware of the allergies in my classroom. Anytime we have goodies, I double check with parents to make sure what we are having is acceptable. I also ask for parents NOT to send snacks that contain peanuts/tree nuts if I have students with those allergies. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Dr. Melissa Graham, Arkansas Allergy & Asthma Clinic Food Education Allergy Support Team Medical Advisor:

I explain to parents and families that education is the key to ensuring that your child has a safe outcome at any family event or school party. It’s important before an upcoming family event to be in contact with family members and explain to them the seriousness of your child’s food allergy. I see that parents often want to downplay the significance of the food allergy, because they don’t want to bring attention to the child or seem like their family is imposing on anyone. It is okay to make sure everyone is informed. The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization provides a lot of tip sheets and recipes that are food allergen safe.

As far as school situations, it’s important to meet with the school nurse, principal and teachers well before the start of the school year and before each event. Parents of other children need to be reminded and need to be informed. Parents are the child’s main advocate. There is a “Be a P.A.L.” program thru FARE which teaches classmates and friends to “PROTECT A LIFE” by learning what to do if a child gets sick who has a food allergy.

One of my favorite pieces of advice for families whenever you are coming up on the holidays is to send a group e-mail or text to all of the family members that will be present and give simple information and advice on how to keep your child safe. You can send reminders when it is closer to the holiday gathering and ask family members to contact you if they have any questions at all. Always prepare and bring safe foods too.

The biggest challenge for families is balancing the healthy fear of food allergy and all its implications versus developing an abnormal fear, which can cause added stress. My recommendation is to depend on education and communication by educating not only yourself and your family, but teachers, school officials, cafeteria workers, classmates and friends of the children.

Resources are all available through the Food Allergy Research and Education organization at FoodAllergy.org. There is also information on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at AAAAI.org and American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at ACAAI.org.

Holiday Tips from FARE:

  • Talk to your child before a party or gathering. Remind them to always check with you before eating a food someone offers.
  • Set up a special baking time to make allergy-free holiday treats that your child knows they can eat and share.
  • Keep small, inexpensive toys, trinkets, or special allergy-free treats handy so your child can trade any party treats they cannot have.
  • Suggest food-free party ideas at school, such as games or making crafts for holiday keepsakes. (Check craft materials for any food allergens.)