Image credits: Kenna W, runner up in this year’s art competition.
As the year draws to a close, the team at CanFASD would like to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. We hope this festive period brings you joy, relaxation, and some well-deserved downtime. After a busy year, we’re looking forward to unwinding and recharging for what promises to be an action-packed 2025.
Choosing Mocktails Over Cocktails
The holiday season often brings with it social pressures, including the expectation to drink alcohol. But remember, there is no safe amount, type, or time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. The safest option is to stay alcohol-free if you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or at risk of an unplanned pregnancy.
This year, we encourage everyone to choose mocktails over cocktails! For those who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, having alcohol-free alternatives readily available can make a big difference.
You can also support friends, family members, or partners who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Offer non-alcoholic alternatives to festive drinks or even choose to go alcohol-free with them this holiday season. Together, we can make it easier to celebrate safely!
Taking Care of Yourself This Holiday Season
The holidays can be a joyful time, but they can also bring stress, anxiety, and extra demands—especially for individuals with FASD and their families. At CanFASD, we understand that this time of year can be difficult, which is why we’ve created resources to help you prioritize self-care.
Explore our blog post on self-care and find practical strategies for maintaining your well-being during this busy season. Additionally, we’ve put together a list of practical tips for navigating holiday parties, gift giving, and gift receiving, all designed to reduce stress and support families and individuals with FASD.
If you’re a caregiver of someone with FASD, we have tailored resources for you too! Our Self-Care for Caregivers article and Stress Management Strategies for Caregivers blog post provide helpful tips on how to cope with the unique challenges of caregiving during the holidays.
Office Closure
Please note that the CanFASD office will be closed from December 24 to January 1. During this time, we will not be responding to emails and queries. We will return to work on January 2 and respond to your messages as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding!
Give the gift of attending conferences
The holidays are a time of giving. This year, consider giving back to your community! Financial hardships are affecting a significant portion of our community, including those with FASD. Attending FASD conferences and events is becoming increasingly difficult for many individuals, particularly those with lived experience whose voices deserve to be heard.
This year, donate to our Lived Experience Leadership Fund and give back this holiday season. You can be a part of the effort to ensure that people with FASD have a seat at the table. We’re working to raise $10,000 to go toward supporting individuals with living experience to participate in research events. We can’t do it without you. Any amount you can give will support lasting change. Give a gift today!
Looking Ahead to 2025
We are excited to continue our important work in collaboration with all of you next year. Your support, dedication, and efforts have been key to our progress this year, and we are thrilled to continue this journey together in 2025.
Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, joyful, and restorative holiday season. We look forward to connecting with you in the new year!
Happy Holidays, from all of us at CanFASD!