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If there is one season that brings out both the magic and the meltdowns in a homeschool home… it’s the holiday season.
You know that feeling: you’re excited for cozy traditions, glittery crafts, baking memories, family outings, gift shopping, and maybe even squeezing in a holiday read-aloud or two—
…but suddenly everything snowballs.
Lessons feel rushed.
The to-do list grows.
The kids are extra wiggly.
You’re pulled in a hundred different directions.
And before you know it, instead of joy, you’re feeling… overwhelmed.
If that sounds like you, trust me—you’re not alone. For years, I tried to do everything during the holidays: a full homeschool schedule, new elaborate traditions, holiday activities every week, themed crafts, baking days, field trips, all the Christmas movies, all the Pinterest things… and by mid-December I was drowning.
But here’s the truth I finally learned after a couple of very chaotic holiday seasons:
You do NOT have to choose between homeschooling and holiday fun. You just need to blend them in a way that protects your peace.
And once I figured out how to do that, December became something I actually looked forward to instead of an obstacle course of stress.
So today, I’m sharing exactly how I mix homeschool + holiday fun—without losing my rhythm, my sanity, or my joy. These are strategies that truly helped me feel calmer, stay on track, and still make the season magical for my kids.
This post is NOT about adding more to your plate.
It’s about simplifying, aligning your homeschool with the season, and focusing on what matters most.
Let’s dive in.
Why Mixing Homeschool & Holiday Fun Feels Overwhelming (But Doesn’t Have To)
Before we talk about solutions, let’s acknowledge the problem.
When December hits, everything shifts:
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Your normal routine gets interrupted.
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There are more social events, errands, and obligations.
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Kids’ excitement levels skyrocket.
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You feel pressure to make magical memories.
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Homeschool expectations don’t suddenly disappear.
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You want rest—but you also want to enjoy the season.
When all of that collides, overwhelm happens.
But here’s the game changer:
Homeschooling in December does not have to look like homeschooling in October.
Once you give yourself permission to shift your routine, lighten your load, and lean into seasonal learning, everything becomes easier.
Tip 1: Choose a December Homeschool Focus (Instead of Doing Everything)
This single shift changed everything for me.
Instead of trying to keep every subject at full intensity, I choose ONE main focus for December.
That could be:
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Literature (holiday chapter books, cozy read-alouds)
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Science (winter nature, snow experiments)
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Geography (Christmas around the world)
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Arts & Crafts (holiday projects, gift-making)
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Life Skills (baking, budgeting, gift prep)
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Family + Rest (slow mornings, reflection activities)
Your kids will still be learning—probably more deeply than usual—because holiday-themed learning captures their attention like nothing else.
Examples:
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One year, I focused our whole month on reading + crafts, and it was the calmest season ever.
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Another year we did a “Christmas Around the World” theme, and I counted it as geography, culture, and social studies—DONE! )
(I actually made a Christmas Around the World printable that you can grab here to make your homeschooling easier)
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One December I declared a “Winter STEM Month,” and we did hot chocolate science, crystal snowflakes, and light experiments.
When you focus on ONE theme instead of ten subjects, everything feels lighter.
Tip 2: Turn Holiday Activities Into Homeschool Credit
This is my favorite hack because it’s so simple:
Most of the things you already want to do… count as learning.
Here’s how holiday fun fits into school subjects:
Baking → Math + Life Skills + Science
Gift Budgeting → Math + Financial Literacy
Holiday Crafts → Art + Fine Motor + Creativity
Pinecone ornaments, wreath making, sewing projects, painting—
all of it is valuable learning.
Reading Holiday Books → Language Arts
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Vocabulary
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Comprehension
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Narration
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Writing prompts
Holiday-Themed Nature Walks → Science
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Winter changes
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Animal behavior
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Tree identification
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Weather observations
Watching Christmas Movies → Story Analysis
Sounds silly, but it works:
Volunteering → Social Studies + Character Education
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Community impact
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Gratitude
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Empathy
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Responsibility
You’re probably already planning to do half these things—
now they can replace your regular lessons instead of adding to them.
Tip 3: Lower Your Expectations (On Purpose)
One of the biggest causes of overwhelm is trying to maintain your usual workload on top of holiday activities.
December is not the month to aim for:
❌ the perfect routine
❌ strict schedules
❌ long curriculum days
❌ big new projects
❌ daily checklists with 10 items
This is your permission slip to lower your expectations—and still feel successful.
Here are some realistic December homeschool goals:
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Completing half your normal lessons
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Prioritizing reading and math only
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Shorter homeschool days
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Focusing mostly on seasonal projects
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Having more slow mornings
You will NOT fall behind.
You will NOT ruin your homeschool year.
What you’re doing is creating space for family, connection, and rest—which is just as important as academics.
Tip 4: Use “Menu Style” Homeschooling for December
This is another strategy that has saved my sanity.
Instead of following a rigid schedule, I create a simple “December Learning Menu” with options my kids can choose from.
Examples of choices:
Then I tell my kids:
Choose any 3 items a day.
It gives them freedom.
It removes pressure from me.
And learning still gets done.
Tip 5: Keep ONE Daily Anchor (So You Don’t Lose All Rhythm)
Even though December is more flexible, I still keep one consistent “anchor” in our day.
Some options you can use:
When the rest of the day is unpredictable, having that one daily ritual gives your kids a sense of stability.
And it reminds you that yes—you are still homeschooling.
My personal favorite is a cozy morning basket, because it sets the tone for the whole day and instantly slows everyone down.
Tip 6: Replace Worksheets with Learning Games
Kids are already restless during the holidays.
Instead of fighting it, lean into it.
Game schooling is real learning—especially during December.
Some of our favorite educational games:
Games build critical thinking, creativity, communication, and problem-solving—all without the frustration of traditional worksheets.
And if you want to add Amazon affiliate links, game posts do extremely well.
Tip 7: Plan Less Holiday Activities (But Make Them Meaningful)
I used to schedule a million holiday events—only to end up exhausted.
Now?
I choose 3–5 meaningful activities for the entire month.
Examples:
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Baking day
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One holiday craft
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One family outing
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A Christmas read-aloud
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Decorating the tree
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One movie night
That’s it.
And honestly, the season feels richer when we’re not rushing.
The secret:
Kids remember the traditions you repeat—not the dozens you tried to cram in.
Tip 8: Prep Ahead So December Feels Lighter
A little prep makes a HUGE difference.
You do not need to plan every detail—just set yourself up for calmer days.
Here’s what really helps:
✔ Create a December homeschool folder
Put in worksheets, printables, recipes, and crafts so you can grab and go.
✔ Order your crafts ahead of time
No more hunting for supplies on December 18th.
✔ Stock up on snacks + easy meals
Instacart and slow cooker meals are your best friend.
✔ Make a simple weekly rhythm
Like:
✔ Print simple checklists for your kids
The fewer decisions you have to make in December, the better.
Tip 9: Don’t Forget About Your Rest
It’s really easy to burn yourself out trying to make the holidays magical.
But your kids don’t need a perfect holiday…
they need a present mom.
Give yourself permission to rest by:
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Saying no to things that drain you
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Creating quiet afternoons
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Having pajama days
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Letting the kids watch a Christmas movie while you breathe
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Doing simple meals
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Skipping a homeschool day if everyone needs it
You are allowed to be human during the holidays.
I promise the memories will still be magical.
Tip 10: Remember That December “Counts” in a Different Way
Yes, academics matter.
But December gives your family something the rest of the year doesn’t:
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Connection
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Tradition
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Slowing down
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Reflection
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Gratitude
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Creativity
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Wonder
These are the things your kids remember when they’re grown—not the worksheets.
December is not a break from learning.
It’s a month of life-learning disguised as joy.
How This Approach Saved My Homeschool During the Holidays
Once I stopped trying to keep up with “normal” school in December, everything changed.
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My kids were happier.
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Our days felt easier.
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We were done homeschooling earlier each day.
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The overwhelm vanished.
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We had MORE time for family traditions.
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I felt more present and less stressed.
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We created memories instead of chaos.
Most importantly:
my kids learned just as much—if not more.
December became one of our favorite homeschool seasons.
If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed Right Now…
Take a breath.
You’re doing better than you think.
Mixing homeschool with the holidays does NOT mean you need to do more.
It means doing less—with intention.
Choose one focus.
Simplify your days.
Turn holiday fun into learning.
Lower expectations.
Anchor your routine with one daily rhythm.
And give yourself grace.
Your homeschool doesn’t need to be perfect this month.
It just needs to be peaceful.
And peaceful is doable.
If this post helped you, share it on Pinterest or with another homeschool mom who might be feeling stretched thin this season.
You never know who needs this encouragement!
And if you want more posts like this—simple, practical, and heart-centered—make sure to check out my latest blog posts and grab some of my homeschool printables.
Leave a Comment
Do you struggle with mixing homeschool and holiday fun without getting overwhelmed?
Or do you already have a December rhythm that works well for your family?
Tell me below—I’d love to hear your ideas and experiences!
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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