5 Tips for Teachers During the Holidays

There’s something about the holiday season in schools that brings out big feelings. Some folks treat December like a magical classroom wonderland. Glitter everywhere, hot cocoa stations, hand-cut snowflakes dangling from the ceiling like a Hallmark movie set. Others roll their eyes and mutter, “Great, three weeks of chaos.”

And honestly? Both camps have a point.

But here’s my take: the holidays don’t have to feel like a competition or a free for all. They can be a season where you keep your sanity, keep kids learning, and maybe -just maybe- actually enjoy yourself a little.

Let’s talk about how.

1. Stop Apologizing for Not Having a Pinterest-Perfect Classroom

I’ll be the first to admit: I love a good craft. But if I had a dollar for every time I stayed late in December trying to create some “Instagram-worthy” winter bulletin board that ended up crooked and covered in glue stick smears… well, I’d have at least enough for a nice latte.

Your worth as a teacher is not measured by how many pom-poms or paper chains you hot glue to your walls. Some years, your classroom might look like Santa’s workshop. Other years, it might just look like… your classroom. Both are fine.

Students remember how you make them feel during this time, not how symmetrical your paper snowflakes are. If decorating brings you joy, do it. If it stresses you out, skip it without guilt.

2. Front load Your Plans 

Here’s a little holiday magic trick: plan ahead now, so you can actually breathe later.

I’ve found that pre-planning my lessons and activities for the holiday stretch is the single best way to keep things on track. When you’ve got structured lessons lined up, you can glide through the weeks instead of scrambling between holiday parties.

If you are a math teacher this is where resources like eMATHInstruction shine. Their ready to go lessons, student workbooks, and videos make it easy to keep instruction consistent, even when the schedule gets messy with assemblies and sing-alongs. The kids stay engaged, and you’re not reinventing the wheel at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday.

3. Lean Into Interactive Activities (& maybe some online tools too)

The holidays are a golden time to pull out more interactive, exploratory learning. Instead of just powering through worksheets (or worse, watching the clock), try weaving in group projects, digital activities, or open-ended tasks.

Tools like RosiMosi and LiveWorksheets are fantastic for this. They let students practice skills in a way that feels like a break from routine, without turning the classroom into a circus. Think math puzzles, collaborative problem-solving, or seasonal challenges that get kids thinking creatively.

And here’s a pro move: task students with planning some of the activities. Ask them to brainstorm festive projects or create math problems with a seasonal twist. It gives them ownership and builds classroom community.

4. Include, Don’t Assume

This one matters. Not every child in your class celebrates Christmas. Some don’t celebrate anything this time of year. Others have traditions you might not even know about.

So instead of centering the entire classroom around one holiday, open the floor. Ask students to share their traditions, foods, or stories. Create a “winter celebrations around the world” board. Let kids teach each other.

It’s a simple shift, but it turns a potentially isolating time into a classroom culture win.

5. Ease Up the Last Few Days

Look… the last couple of days before break are not the time to introduce long division or start a new science unit. You know it. The kids know it.

This is survival mode, but in the best way. Keep activities light, meaningful, and low-prep. Review games. Reflective writing. Art projects with a learning twist. Maybe a movie with a discussion component if you’re feeling ambitious.

Give yourself permission to coast a little. You’ve earned it.

Wrapping It Up (pun absolutely intended)

Sure, you’ll hear some say holiday time in the classroom is a distraction or a logistical nightmare. And yes, it can be. But with a bit of planning, a dash of flexibility, and permission to ditch the unrealistic expectations, it can also be one of the most joyful times of the year.

So decorate if you want. Don’t if you don’t. Plan ahead, include everyone, and take it easy at the end. Your students will remember the warmth, not the Pinterest board.