Cold sore

What is your take on cold sores? I really need advice/opinions. My mother is fostering 3 of my cousins kids (age 6-9). The youngest ended up with a cold sore weeks ago, then last week the middle kid ended up with one & this made me decide to skip thanksgiving at my mother's because i have a 2 year old. Understandably she was very upset but im not sure what else to do. I know they're common but i also know that they're very contagious. Just because they're common does not mean im going to willingly expose my son to it. Now my issue is christmas. Im so scared to go to her house/let my son take presents in fear that the hsv1 virus is going to be on anything he touches. Also afraid for her to come to ours incase she has it now. That probably sounds insane but other than the fact that they're contagious & that you have the virus forever, idk much about it. What should i do? I hate hurting my mother😞 i just have to do what i can to keep my son healthy.