Common options: Christmas Eve with one parent and Christmas Day with the other, switching yearly; splitting Christmas Day; alternating the whole holiday by year; halving winter break; or a second celebration on another day. Agree on exact times and the exchange place by early December, and follow any court order first.
Sources: LA Superior Court: Holiday and Vacation Options; Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. Sources checked 2026-10-19.
Christmas is often the hardest day to share, because both homes usually want the same morning. Below are five common ways families divide it, with examples from published court guides, and a short list of details to settle before December.
If you have a court order or a written parenting plan, it comes first. This is general information to help you organize or discuss options. It is not legal advice and doesn't create or change custody.
The Los Angeles Superior Court's sample schedule has one parent from 10 AM December 24 to 10 AM December 25 and the other from 10 AM December 25 to 10 AM December 26, switching each year (LA Superior Court: Holiday and Vacation Options). - Works well when: both homes are close and both have an Eve or Day tradition. - Watch for: the handoff on Christmas morning. Set an exact time.
For example, one parent has the morning and the other has the afternoon and evening. The LA brochure's sample split is 9 AM to 3 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM, and it notes divided holidays may suit young children especially. - Works well when: the homes are a short drive apart. - Watch for: a rushed day. Build in travel time and a meal.
One parent has Christmas Eve and Day in even-numbered years, the other in odd-numbered years. - Works well when: the homes are far apart or one parent travels to extended family. - Watch for: the off year. Plan a call, or a second celebration (option 5).
Indiana's statewide guidelines define the break as starting on the last day of school. Each parent gets half, and they alternate which half each year. In the year Christmas doesn't fall in a parent's half, that parent has the child from noon to 9 PM on Christmas Day. The guidelines also avoid exchanges after 9 PM and before 8 AM unless parents agree (Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines). - Works well when: you want longer stretches and a clear rule for every year. - Watch for: the exact first and last days, which come from the school calendar.
Some families keep the real date on an alternating schedule and hold a full celebration in the other home on another day, such as December 26 or the following weekend. The LA brochure encourages creating new traditions and ways to celebrate. - Works well when: the child is old enough to enjoy two celebrations, and both parents can treat the "other" day as real.
Christmas 2026: Parent A, Thu Dec 24 at 10 AM to Fri Dec 25 at 10 AM. Parent B, Fri Dec 25 at 10 AM to Sat Dec 26 at 10 AM. Exchange at Parent B's home. Regular schedule resumes Sat Dec 26 at 6 PM.
Want it on paper? The Two-Home Co-Parenting Planner has a holiday plan page, year-at-a-glance, monthly calendars with A/B days, and handoff and packing checklists. For everyday schedules, see Co-Parenting Calendar Ideas.
An organization guide only. Not legal advice. It doesn't create or change a custody arrangement or parenting plan. For those, talk to a family law professional or mediator.
Updated 2026-10-19.