My kids dig the presents and toys, but get a bit anxious about the crowds and parties.

I'm not big on traditions, so my kids don't notice changes in holiday routines - we don't have any.

Could Caitlin take over something to keep the tradition?

Oh Lord, yes. And the anticipation and anxiety that goes with it all can be overwhelming in both of my kids- autistic and non-autistic. :) Joey loves the lights and sparkle, and sitting with Santa, and going to see the reindeer. 

I'll be doing some cleaning and baking now, and putting up my garlands (my breakables are hung over doorways, out of the reach of boys and kittehs). The tree will go up around my birthday (Dec 23); sometimes a little earlier because of schedules. Gotta do stuff when one has time to do stuff. The tree causes the most change in patterns and routine (it blocks a hall in our house), so I try to put off getting it up as long as I can.

All three of my kids look forward to Christmas. We actually don't decorate until mid-December because I don't know that they could handle a whole month of anticipation. But yes, autistic or not, all my kids look forward to the Christmas season.