Homeschooling in December (and Actually Enjoying It!)

Make December easier with simple dos and don’ts for homeschooling through the holidays. Practical tips, quick wins, and ideas you’ll actually use.

It’s that time of year when you blink & Christmas is  <snap> everywhere! 

The fun books on display at the library, all the ‘flip-throughs’ of Christmas unit studies over on YouTube, the events in your local homeschool groups. 

There’s no shortage of ways to add some of that holiday magic into your homeschool.

This is our 16th homeschool Christmas.  And we’ve done it all. We’ve had years that were packed with every Christmas book, project, and event…and others where the word Christmas barely made it into our school days at all. 

The best Decembers aren’t about doing it all or doing nothing at all. In fact, the ones we’ve loved the most are the ones when I’ve been intentional about what we do and don’t do. Getting through the season without missing out on the fun but with your sanity intact is possible!

So, whether you’re a first-year homeschooler or, like me, you’ve been at this a long time, here are some realistic do’s and don’ts for homeschooling through the holidays and enjoying December without losing your mind.

1. Do make a plan before December.

Suddenly, it’s December 15, and you’ve done a whopping two days’ worth of schoolwork this month.  Then come the only two options our stressed mind can see — scramble to complete all of the schoolwork we planned, or call it a wash & give up on the month.

Make a plan before the month begins. Do you want to stick to just the core subjects this month? Follow a 4-day-a-week schedule? Is math going to be your only regular subject, with the rest of your learning time filled in with Christmas learning?

The freedom of homeschooling includes a December that looks like YOU want it to look. Just go into the month with a plan, so you’re not left feeling frazzled.

QUICK WIN: Grab a sticky note and jot down your minimums for December (your must-do subjects). Tuck it in your planner — that’s your anchor for the month.

2. Don’t forget to plan for spontaneity.

Isn’t the point of spontaneity to be something you don’t plan? Yes.
And I’m not suggesting that you plan ahead for events that should be spontaneous.

BUT.

Is there room in your schedule to drop schoolwork when a kiddo spots the first snowflakes of the year? Or when everyone is worn out and wants to chill on the couch with hot chocolate & a wintry educational show? Or those books you picked up that were on display at the library?

Build some time into your schedule so you can be flexible in the moment.

QUICK WIN: Open your planner and highlight one 20–30 minute block most days. Leave it blank on purpose. That’s your “drop everything and enjoy the moment” space.

3. Do remember that Christmas is for mamas, too.

I want to enjoy the season, and I want my kids to see that mom matters, too. 

I like shopping for gifts, and I love being in the kitchen. I love our tradition of taking each kiddo out by themselves to shop for gifts, grabbing a treat, and just hanging out. But sometimes, the stress of the season seeps out of me like that pot of pasta water on the stove you forgot about. And that’s not what I want my kids to remember.

So carve out some time just for yourself, keep yourself in mind as you choose activities and books, and remember that Christmas is for mom, too.

QUICK WIN: Choose one Christmas movie or show just for you. Add it to your calendar like a real appointment. Here’s a list of mom-inspired shows & movies to get you started.

4. Don’t set yourself up for failure.

“the best laid plans of mice and men…”

I’m great at dreaming up grand plans. I’m less great at making them happen. That’s especially true during this season when there are so many opportunities for busyness and distraction.

Don’t let this season become one you dread because of all the “things” that don’t get done. BTDT far too many times.

• If you avoid read-alouds because you hate reading out loud, don’t make a big list of books to read this month.
• If you aren’t a project person, don’t plan them. I don’t care how fun they look! Or plan a single manageable one.
• If you want to do some fun science activities, make a supply list for your next shopping trip.

If you want to do something fun, but you don’t want to do it yourself, grab my mini-Christmas unit study. Not only does it have lesson plans and shopping lists ready for you, but it also has ideas for family movie nights, Christmas Lego challenges, and book and movie ideas for the parents. (Use code pop10 to save 10% on the regular or sale price.)

QUICK WIN: Decide on your “one thing” for December — the project, book, or activity you know you’ll actually enjoy. Let the rest be optional, not obligations.

5. Do say yes…intentionally.

I’ve had those years when I plan way too much. Then we’re either rushing to fit it all in, or I burn out a week in and end up doing nothing.

The moms who plan to do 3 different Christmas unit studies because they all look neat. 
The families that say yes to every homeschool Christmas event. 
All of those decked-out Pinterest or IG-worthy homeschool spaces and plans. 

I get the temptations; I really do. There are all of these reminders about how quickly kids grow up and how moms are responsible for creating all the Christmas magic. And, as homeschoolers, we relish the flexibility we have in December.
If that kind of season works for you, awesome.   But if you’re still reading this, that’s probably not the kind of homeschool you are.

QUICK WIN: Make two short lists in your calendar margins:
• “Things we will do”
• “Things we’re skipping this year”
You can always change your mind, but this’ll set the stage for what’s to come.