Knowing how to split holidays when divorced starts with one rule that guides every Texas court: what is best for your child comes first. Most parents either agree on a holiday schedule or follow the one built into their custody order. In Texas, that default is the Standard Possession Order, which spells out who has the children for Christmas, Thanksgiving, spring break, and other special days. You can also build a schedule that fits your family’s own traditions. Below, we explain the common ways parents divide the holidays, how Texas law handles them, and how to keep the season calm for your kids.
Divorced parents usually split holidays by alternating them between even and odd years, splitting the holiday itself in half, holding two separate celebrations, or dividing the school break. In Texas, the Standard Possession Order sets this schedule by default, alternating Thanksgiving and spring break each year and splitting winter break on December 28.
Common Ways to Split Holidays When Divorced
Most families split holidays using one of these approaches to figure out the parenting schedule, and you can combine them to fit your situation. The right choice usually depends on how far apart you live, your children’s ages, and which traditions matter most to your family.
| Method | How it works | Works best when |
|---|---|---|
| Alternate by year (most common) | One parent has a holiday in even-numbered years, the other in odd-numbered years | You want a simple, predictable rotation. Texas law alternates holidays in a specific way, with each parent getting Mother’s Day and Father’s day, respectively. |
| Split the day | The children spend the morning with one parent and the afternoon or evening with the other | You live close together |
| Two celebrations | Each parent celebrates on a separate day | You want to avoid rushing kids between homes on the day itself |
| Divide the school break | Parents split the entire winter, spring, or Thanksgiving break into halves | You live farther apart or want longer, unhurried visits |
Your children’s ages matter here, too. Younger children tend to do better with shorter visits and familiar routines, while teenagers often prefer longer, uninterrupted time in one home and may have opinions worth hearing.
How Texas’s Standard Possession Order Handles Holidays
The Texas Standard Possession Order is the default holiday schedule, and the law presumes it is in your child’s best interest under Texas Family Code Section 153.314. It sets specific possession times for the primary parent and for the other parent (referred to in the code section as the possessory conservator, meaning the parent who has scheduled time with the child but is not where the child primarily resides), so neither has to renegotiate the major holidays every year.
The schedule covers six special periods: Christmas and winter break, Thanksgiving, spring break, the child’s birthday, Mother’s Day weekend, and Father’s Day weekend. It does not address other holidays like Easter, the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or Halloween, so those simply follow the regular weekend schedule unless you agree on something different.
Thanksgiving and spring break alternate every year between the two parents. Winter break splits into two halves: in even-numbered years like 2026, one parent has the first half, from the day school lets out until noon on December 28 (which includes Christmas Eve and Christmas morning), and the other parent has the second half through the day before school resumes (which includes New Years). The next year, the parents swap. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends always go to the matching parent, no matter who’s turn it would otherwise be.
How distance between parents changes the schedule
Your holiday schedule stays the same no matter how far apart you and your co-parent live. Texas keeps Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the other listed holidays on the same alternating pattern whether you live in the same town or different states.
Distance mainly affects spring break and summer. If you live more than 100 miles apart, the parent who sees the children less can choose to have every spring break instead of alternating, along with longer summer possession. If a recent move is what created the distance, the rules around relocation and divorce can affect your whole possession schedule, not just the holidays.
The 2026 Texas possession calendar
A printable calendar makes the alternating schedule easy to follow. The Texas Attorney General offers a free 2026 possession calendar that marks each parent’s holiday, weekend, and summer periods, so you can plan travel and family gatherings well in advance. Print it, share it with your co-parent, and circle the child custody exchange dates so there are no surprises during the busy season.
Changing or Customizing Your Holiday Schedule
You can change the Standard Possession Order in two ways: agree with your co-parent, or ask a judge to order a different schedule. The default works for many families, but it does not fit everyone, and that is normal.
Say your family always spends Memorial Day at a lake reunion, or your faith calls for the children to attend specific services. If both parents agree, you can write those arrangements into your parenting plan and set the standard schedule aside for those days. When you cannot agree, either parent can ask the court to order a schedule that reflects the child’s needs and the traditions they have grown up with.
If your circumstances have changed since your order was signed, such as a move or a new work schedule, you may need a formal court-approved change to your existing possession order (legally called a modification) rather than a handshake agreement. A written, court-approved change protects both parents if a disagreement comes up later.
Making Holiday Co-Parenting Work
Spending the holidays apart from your children is one of the hardest parts of divorce, especially in the first year or two. A clear schedule and steady communication carry most families through it. Aim for a calm holiday where your kids feel free to enjoy both homes, rather than a perfect one.
Travel and special events
Share your holiday travel plans early, including destinations, dates, and contact information. Texas orders often require this, and international trips may need extra documents or court permission. When a school concert or religious ceremony falls on the other parent’s day, offer to trade time so your child does not miss it.
Gifts, costs, and blended families
Talk through holiday spending before it turns into a sore point. Agree on a rough budget, coordinate big gifts so they are not duplicated, and decide who covers travel costs. A shared calendar or co-parenting app keeps everyone on the same page when the season gets full. If either of you has remarried, leave room for step-siblings and new traditions while protecting the rituals your children already love.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do divorced parents split holidays in Texas?
In Texas, divorced parents either agree on a holiday schedule or follow the Standard Possession Order. That default order alternates Thanksgiving and spring break between the parents each year and divides winter break into two halves that the parents swap. Parents who agree can also write a custom schedule into their parenting plan.
How is Christmas split between divorced parents in Texas?
Texas splits winter break into two halves. One parent has the children from the day school lets out until noon on December 28, which includes Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. The other parent has them from that point until the child’s school resumes after the new year. The parents switch halves each year, so both share Christmas morning over time.
What happens to the holiday schedule if we live far apart?
Your holiday schedule does not change with distance. Texas keeps Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the other major holidays on the same alternating pattern no matter how far apart you live. Distance mainly affects spring break and summer, where a parent who lives more than 100 miles away can choose every spring break instead of alternating.
Can we change our holiday custody schedule if we both agree?
Yes. If both parents agree, you can follow a schedule that differs from the Standard Possession Order and write it into your parenting plan. For lasting changes, especially after a move or a major life event, a court-approved change gives both parents legal protection if a dispute comes up later.
What if my co-parent will not follow the holiday schedule?
Start with a direct, written request that points to your court order. If that does not work, you can ask the court to enforce the order. A judge can award make-up time, order compliance, and in serious cases hold the other parent in contempt, which means facing penalties for ignoring a court order. Keep a written record of every missed or changed exchange.
Final Thoughts
Holiday schedules work best when they are clear, written down, and focused on your children rather than on who wins. If you are setting up your first holiday plan or fixing one that no longer fits, our family law attorneys can help you build a custody and possession schedule that follows Texas law and protects what matters most to your family. Contact us today to talk through your holiday custody questions.
