by Yvonne Strachan

The stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas is upon us, filled with twinkling lights, delicious treats, and endless activities. Homeschooling during the holiday season can feel like a balancing act, but it also offers the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity! This festive time is perfect for blending holiday activities with home discipleship. Curious how? Discover ten game-changing ways to make this holiday season your most memorable and stress-free one yet!!

1. Gift Your Family Time Off

Is your calendar packed with holiday events? Step back and allow time for this season’s beauty to unfold. Whether you take the whole month off or focus on studies 3-4 days per week, remember that teaching your children about salvation is always time well spent.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).

2. Keep it Simple

Focus on the reason for the season while you implement a simple routine. Here is a cozy holiday rhythm to inspire you:

• Morning: Read a small section of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. Discuss the highlights, like when the angel Gabriel delivered a life-changing message to Mary or when the wise men followed that bright star to Bethlehem.
• Mid-morning: Infuse Gospel themes into your homeschooling subjects to make lessons more meaningful. For example, you can turn your history lesson into an exploration of the significance of the wise men’s gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — and their symbolic meanings in the story of Jesus. Then, blend in English and handwriting by having your children write a thoughtful paragraph about what they learned.
• Afternoon: Bring their learning to life by baking themed sugar cookies or creating Scripture-based Christmas cards.

3. Turn Traditions into Teaching

• Math in Action: Ask your older children to help you manage a budget for gifts or holiday meals. Turn baking into a fun (and tasty!) learning experience by having your younger children help you measure ingredients for Christmas cookies. 
• Creative Writing: Spark your children’s creativity by challenging them to visualize themselves living in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Ask them to write about their experience. Alternatively, have them write a story about their favorite Christmas memories. Then, help your children strengthen their speaking skills by having them share their stories during dinner.

4. Get Outside for Frosty Fun

• Take a nature walk: Reenact the shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem — complete with a walking stick. Talk about the excitement the shepherds must have felt as they heard the angel proclaim, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14 ESV)

Try chilly science experiments: Freeze bubbles or whip up a batch of snow ice cream for a hands-on winter activity. Then, tie it back to the Gospel by sharing how Jesus changes lives or talk about the types of food available during Jesus’ time. Fun and faith-filled—learning has never been cooler!

5. Snuggle Up with Storytime

Fuzzy blankets and a stack of holiday books? Yes, please! Dive into titles like Behold: The Birth of Jesus by Amber N. Backus or other winter classics to keep spirits bright.

6. Embrace Creative Learning

Turn your home into a holiday workshop:

• Craft paper chains filled with messages of joy or create intricate snowflakes with a word of hope written in the center.
• Try making a custom gingerbread house that resembles the homes in Bethlehem.
• Make a clay nativity set while discussing Luke’s description of the manger scene: And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

7. Infuse Discipleship in Family Life

Christmas is an ideal time to cultivate your family’s discipleship journey:

• Inspire your family’s walk with God: Consider the humility and obedience of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. Discuss how their faith and willingness to follow God’s plan can encourage and guide your family to trust Him more deeply.
• Lead by example through acts of service: Deliver cookies to neighbors or volunteer at a local charity.

8. Spread Cheer Through Gratitude

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 ESV).

This season, focus on values like kindness and generosity:

• Serve at church.
• Sing Christmas carols at a nursing home with your family and friends.

When you witness a family member doing something kind, note it on a small piece of paper and drop it into a “gratitude jar.” On Christmas Day, take time to read through those heartfelt moments together. What a beautiful way to reflect on love, generosity, and the spirit of the season!

9. Relax and Recharge

Make hot cocoa and popcorn. Nestle in your living room to watch a family movie. Connect, unwind, and discuss the deeper meaning of Christmas.

10. Reflect and Celebrate Progress

Gather your family for a heartwarming end-of-year tradition! Invite everyone to share their favorite moments from this year and reflect on each person’s spiritual and intellectual progression. Then, discuss your family’s hopes and goals for the coming year. It is a beautiful way to celebrate growth, deepen connections, and set a Christ-centered vision for the future.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19 ESV).

Conclusion

The Christmas season is more than the hustle of holiday preparations — it’s an invitation to strengthen family bonds and deepen your faith. By anchoring your homeschooling in the Gospel, you will create a legacy of learning and love centered on Christ while making your holiday season memorable and stress-free!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Your homeschooling friend,

Yvonne Strachan

P.S. This free Homeschooling Nativity Unit Study offers another way to study Jesus’ birth through crafts, activities, and Bible lessons!

What are your favorite ways to create a memorable and stress-free holiday season? Share your ideas in the comments below!

About the Author: Yvonne Strachan

Yvonne Strachan has had the privilege of being refined through homeschooling multiple children, a special needs child, and high school students while dealing with chronic illness and working. She taught art classes at a Christian school and at a homeschool art co-op that she ran for a decade. She went on to serve the homeschool community as a homeschool consultant, a radio show host, a blogger, a speaker, the author of Inspirational Homeschooling, and the founder of Inspirational Homeschooling.com. Yvonne works in the CHEC marketing department and can be reached at Yvonne@CHEC.org.