Helping Your Picky Eater Enjoy the Holidays Without the Mealtime Stress

The Beige Plate Club Issue #3

The holiday season is here, filled with family gatherings, festive meals, and new foods around every corner. But for parents of picky eaters, this time of year can feel like navigating a minefield of unfamiliar dishes, overwhelming spreads, and well-meaning relatives.

In today’s newsletter, I’m sharing practical tips to help make holiday meals more enjoyable for everyone—even the pickiest eaters at your table. These strategies can keep holiday mealtime low-stress and even help your child feel more comfortable exploring new foods in a festive setting.

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1. Stick to the Familiar

Holidays are packed with new sights, sounds, and foods, which can be overwhelming for picky eaters. Help ease the stress by including one or two familiar dishes in each meal, even if they’re simple. Having something they recognize can give kids a sense of control and make them more comfortable trying something new.

Tip: Bring along a small container of your child’s go-to foods, or make sure there’s a side dish they already enjoy, like mashed potatoes, bread rolls, or a favorite veggie. Remember if they only eat rolls, it’s just one meal. Think about what they ate over the whole week.