The Gift of Acceptance: What LGBTQ+ People Really Want This Christmas

Christmas morning. Wrapping paper scattered across the floor. The smell of coffee and cinnamon in the air. But for many LGBTQ+ people, the most meaningful gift isn't under the tree—it's sitting across the table.

Acceptance isn't something you can wrap in a bow. But it's the gift that changes everything.

If your child is LGBTQ+, this Christmas might feel complicated. Perhaps they've recently come out. Perhaps you're still learning what their identity means. Perhaps you want to show support but don't know how.

Here's the truth: you don't need to understand everything perfectly to give the gift of acceptance. You just need to show up with love.

What Acceptance Actually Looks Like

Acceptance isn't a grand gesture. It's a thousand small moments that say: I see you. I support you. You belong here.

It sounds like:

• Using their correct name and pronouns without making it a big deal
• Asking about their partner the same way you'd ask about anyone else's
• Defending them when they're not in the room

It looks like:

• A Christmas stocking with their real name, not their deadname
• Their partner's photo on the mantelpiece alongside everyone else's
• Space at the dinner table for who they actually are
• A hug that says "I love you" without conditions attached

Acceptance is making your home a place where they can breathe freely.

At Christmas gatherings, this means:

• Introducing their partner properly: "This is Sarah's wife, Emma"
• Using correct pronouns consistently, and gently correcting others who don't
• Having their back if Uncle Peter makes an uncomfortable "joke"
• Including them in family traditions without caveat or exception

These moments matter enormously. Research shows that LGBTQ+ young people with accepting families have dramatically lower rates of depression and suicide attempts. Your acceptance literally saves lives.

If You've Made Mistakes

Perhaps you didn't handle their coming out well. Perhaps you said something hurtful. Perhaps there's distance between you now that feels impossible to bridge.

Here's what many LGBTQ+ people wish their parents knew: we want you in our lives more than you might think.

Most of us desperately want our families at Christmas. We want you at our weddings. We want our children to know their grandparents. But we can't sacrifice our authentic selves to make you comfortable.

If you've made mistakes, this Christmas is your chance to start repairing:

Apologise sincerely. Not "I'm sorry you were hurt" but "I'm sorry I hurt you. I was wrong. I should have responded with love, and I didn't."

Show changed behaviour. Apologies without action are just words. Use their correct name and pronouns. Ask about their life. Treat their partner with respect and warmth.

Be patient. Trust takes time to rebuild. They might need space before they're ready to fully reconnect. Honour that whilst showing consistent support.

Educate yourself. Don't make it their job to teach you about LGBTQ+ identities. Google is free. There are countless resources available. Taking time to learn on your own says: "You matter enough for me to make an effort."

Gifts That Show You See Them

Wondering what to give your LGBTQ+ child this Christmas? The best gifts acknowledge their whole self:

• Books by LGBTQ+ authors who tell stories that reflect their experiences
• Art or jewellery that celebrates their identity—something that says "I'm proud of who you are"
• Experiences you can share together: concert tickets, a cooking class, a weekend away
• Donations to LGBTQ+ charities in their name

A thoughtful gift might be something they can wear as a daily reminder of your support—a bracelet that celebrates their identity, a symbol that travels with them beyond Christmas Day. When you give a gift that honours who they are, you're saying: "I see you. I celebrate you."

The Gift That Keeps Giving

This Christmas, you can give another jumper they'll donate. Another book that will gather dust. Another generic gift card.

Or you can give something that will matter in ten years, twenty years, for the rest of their lives: the certainty that they are loved exactly as they are.

The gift of acceptance means they don't have to choose between their authentic self and their family. It's the gift of showing up to their wedding. It's the gift of their future children having grandparents who love their whole family without reservation.

It's the gift they've been waiting for—perhaps for years.

Acceptance isn't a one-day event. It's showing up consistently—in February when there's no Pride Month, when it's awkward at a family do, when it might cost you social capital with other family members. Every single day.

This Christmas, give acceptance. Give presence. Give love without conditions.

Show your LGBTQ+ child that they're not just tolerated—they're celebrated. They're cherished. They're exactly who you want them to be.

Whether through your words, your actions, or a thoughtful gift that says "I see you"—make sure they know your love has no expiration date.

That's the gift that changes everything.

If you're looking for a meaningful way to show support, RCREW offers pride bracelets and ally symbols—tangible reminders that acceptance isn't just a feeling, it's a commitment you wear every day. Check out our Shop