The holiday season is typically filled with joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for cancer patients and their families, it can be an incredibly challenging time. With the added stress of navigating treatments, side effects, and emotional upheavals, the festive spirit can sometimes feel out of reach. Whether you’re a family member, friend, or coworker of someone undergoing cancer treatment, there are meaningful ways you can offer support during this time of year.

Here are thoughtful ways to support cancer patients during the holidays:

1. Help Set Manageable Goals

Cancer patients may struggle with feeling out of control due to their diagnosis and treatment. One way to empower them is by helping them set small, manageable goals that cater to their current physical and emotional state. The holiday season may bring a desire to participate in festivities, but it’s essential to prioritise their well-being.

Encourage your loved one to:

• Set realistic physical goals, such as a daily 10-minute walk to improve both fitness and mental well-being.
• Embrace small dietary improvements that promote energy and strength. With fatigue being a common side effect of treatment, offering to help prepare nutritious meals or snacks can be a wonderful gesture.

2. Lend a Listening Ear

Cancer treatment can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially during the holidays when everyone else seems to be celebrating. Sometimes the best support comes from simply listening. Whether your loved one wants to vent their frustrations, share their fears, or reminisce about happier times, being there to listen without offering solutions can be immensely helpful.

Offer to spend time together without forcing the holiday cheer. An afternoon in watching a movie or enjoying a cup of tea might be all they need.

3. Encourage Laughter and Lightness

The emotional toll of cancer treatment is heavy, but moments of lightness and humour can help alleviate some of the burden. Laughter is a natural stress reliever, releasing endorphins and providing a welcome distraction from the daily challenges of treatment. Suggest activities that might spark joy:

• Watch a funny holiday movie or share humorous stories and jokes.
• Play lighthearted games or read uplifting books that offer a break from the seriousness of their situation.

Even small, humorous moments can make a big difference in helping cancer patients feel more connected and less overwhelmed.

4. Assist with Planning and Organising Appointments

Navigating appointments, treatments, and medications can be overwhelming, especially during the holiday season when schedules are often disrupted. Offer to help by organising their appointments in a calendar or setting reminders for medications. You could even volunteer to drive them to appointments or sit with them during treatments.

For those who aren’t naturally inclined to be organised, a simple structure for their medical schedule can provide a sense of control and reduce anxiety.

5. Create Opportunities for Connection

While some cancer patients may feel like withdrawing during the holidays, maintaining a strong support system is crucial. Help them stay connected to family and friends by organising low-key, intimate gatherings over the holiday season. Instead of large parties, opt for small get-togethers with a few loved ones, which can be less tiring and easier to manage.

Ideas for connection include:

• Meeting up for a brief coffee outdoors in the park, allowing for fresh air and a change of scenery.
• Scheduling regular phone or video calls to offer emotional support from a distance.
• Striking up casual conversations during treatment sessions with other patients, fostering a sense of community.

6. Give Thoughtful, Practical Gifts

While holiday gifts are a lovely tradition, consider giving thoughtful, practical gifts that can provide comfort and ease. Ideas include:

• Cosy blankets, socks, or pyjamas to keep them comfortable during treatment.
• Journals for emotional expression or creative outlets like adult colouring books.
• Spa kits or vouchers for relaxing treatments like massages (with their doctor’s approval).

The holiday season is a time to come together and support one another, and cancer patients need that support more than ever. Through small acts of kindness, compassion, and presence, you can help them feel seen, valued, and loved, even during one of the most challenging seasons of their life.