🎄 Holiday Break Survival Guide

Your cheat sheet of low-lift, high-fun ways to survive the break

23 Dec

In partnership with

The Carry All

Edition #205 | Read time: 5 Minutes

Hi Mamas - 

It’s holiday break o’clock! You’re most likely relieved you made it orrrrrr maybe you’re still scrambling to wrap up those last few things. While some families step into a more predictable holiday rhythm, many of us are still doing the mom-work juggle we know so well.

Routines are loosened, kids are home… and yet we know this rarely means sitting down and catching our breath, even if we technically have the time off. What’s that line about a long winter’s nap? That sounds really nice right about now, right?

If you are looking for small ways to make the season feel meaningful without adding more to your plate, we’re here with a few ideas to help you navigate the days ahead.

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Enjoy!
-CARRY™ Team

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

  • 🧩 Navigating Break With Kids Home

  • 🍿 Family Movie Night

  •  💌 What To Do With Your Christmas Cards

School break vibes — where do you fall?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

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THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣  🧩 Navigating Break With Kids Home

Christmas break is exciting and exhausting. Kids are home, deadlines are looming, and somehow you’re expected to sprinkle a little magic on it all. Fear not! Here are a few easy ideas to keep them busy while you catch a breather.

  • Craft attack (with limits): Hit the hobby store and scoop up a few 60% off crafts. The kids think it’s a treat and it’s less painful on the wallet if you need to throw it away shortly after because overstimulation is real 😉

  • Cosmic Kids Yoga: Holiday-themed yoga videos on YouTube — calm for them, a breather for you. Brain breaks are another great way to get energy out indoors.

  • Get creative: YouTube drawing challenges, blanket forts, or indoor scavenger hunts (bonus points if you hide candy canes).

  • Change of scenery: Drive around to see Christmas lights, “borrow a neighborhood” to go on a nature walk or ride bikes, swap kids with a friend for a few hours. The sibling fighting, are we right?! Trade a kid for a minute of peace.

  • Game on: Family game night or holiday-themed Minute-to-Win-It challenges.

  • Tidy + entertain: Dying for a clean-out before the influx of new toys? Try this elf idea — keeps kids occupied and helps you reclaim a bit of space.

Pick a few or mix and match! And if you have holiday break survival go-to’s, leave a comment to help another mama out!

2️⃣   🍿 Family Movie Night

Go all out or keep it low-key — here’s a great list to get you started with family movie nights over break! Bonus: the new Jonas Brothers movie on Disney+ is officially a sing-along favorite. 🎶

3️⃣  💌 What To Do With Your Christmas Cards

We get so many amazing cards each year in the mail and… then what? Paula has a great tip for you:

"I have been doing THIS for several years and it is soooo great! I put it on the kitchen table and our family loves looking through it over dinner. Also, I save them year to year as well which is fun!"

A simple tradition that turns a stack of cards into a sweet family moment everyone can enjoy. ✨

📰 IN THE NEWS

🌍 A World Leader, A Working Mom 💼

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shared that early in her leadership she felt pressure to prove she could be both a competent world leader and a present mother—a tension that even led her to initially hide her pregnancy. Her reflections highlight the unrealistic standards placed on women in power, and why seeing leadership and motherhood coexist still matters.

👉 Listen to more of her interview here.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎
for the mom who appreciates real talk, real marriage, and real life

This month on The Paula Faris Show, Paula is joined by her husband, John, for a totally unfiltered Ask Us Anything series. Expect plenty of “oh, they really said that?!” moments, but also plenty of honesty and laughs. It’s a hot mess, it’s real, and always a favorite — full of their takes, insights, and relatable moments you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen to the full series here!

Last week’s poll results: We asked about your go-to holiday parenting philosophy, and the results are in. Nearly 40% of you are choosing to keep it simple this season. That said, plenty of you are also fighting for the magic — and improvising on the fly when needed. Either way, it’s clear you’re doing what works best for your family right now… and that’s the win. 💛 

Here are a few things you had to say:

➡️ “I’m so glad I never started the elf on the shelf thing, I need to keep it way simpler than that!”

➡️ “There are only a handful of years where we can truly make the season feel like magic to our kids. However, even small things (allowing cookies for breakfast!) are what sets the holidays apart and make it special and memorable for years after I’m gone. Bring on the magic!”

➡️ “As I've been a parent longer & longer, I've realized we don't need to do such over-the-top things all the time. My kids are thrilled with our traditional pizza for Christmas Eve dinner, breakfast & church on Christmas Day. All these other "things" society insists we do- aren't necessary if they cause Moms stress. As Moms, we should be able to enjoy the holiday. So my advice as a Mom who has been doing this awhile- keep it simpler. Your kids will love you no matter what.”

➡️ “Christmas is magical just because: the lights, special events, family visits, going out of town, baking, nativity pageant, etc. No reason to go nuts trying to make it even MORE magical somehow. I'm a fan of simplicity, as well as keeping my expectations at a healthy place, all while improvising day to day when things inevitably don't work out or need to be changed. Overall, my goal is to ENJOY (and allow my family to ENJOY) December by having cards and gifts (mostly) ready before December hits. This year has been especially lovely! God is kind to us!”

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