Discover the right Curriculum subject & level for your learners — TAKE THE QUIZ!

  • Search
Shop Now

Surviving Until Christmas Break: How I Keep My Autism Classroom Festive and Functional

The countdown to Christmas break is always a tricky balance of excitement and exhaustion in a self-contained classroom. While the

Surviving Until Christmas Break: How I Keep My Autism Classroom Festive and Functional

The countdown to Christmas break is always a tricky balance of excitement and exhaustion in a self-contained classroom. While the

The countdown to Christmas break is always a tricky balance of excitement and exhaustion in a self-contained classroom. While the holidays bring joy, they also bring disruptions to routines, increased energy levels, and (let’s be honest) a bit of teacher burnout. Over the years, I’ve learned that the key to thriving instead of just surviving is staying structured, festive, and intentional.

Here’s how I navigate the weeks leading up to break, with a little help from The Autism Helper resources that make my life so much easier.

Holiday Cheer with a Purpose

Christmas Class Party 13

Christmas Class Party 1

I love to incorporate the holidays into my classroom in ways that are fun but still meaningful. One of my favorite tools this time of year is The Autism Helper’s Christmas Class Party Set-Up Kit. Organizing a party for students with autism can feel overwhelming, but this kit breaks it all down into manageable steps.

It includes everything from visual supports to activity ideas, making it easy to create a party environment that feels structured and accessible. We practice skills like taking turns, sharing, and following a visual schedule—all while decorating cookies or playing holiday games. It’s a great way to end the semester with happy memories that still align with my students’ IEP goals.

Keeping Academics Alive

Surviving Until Christmas Break 2

Surviving Until Christmas Break 1

Let’s face it, the weeks before break can feel chaotic. That’s why I rely on The Autism Helper’s Winter Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks and the Digital Christmas Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks to keep our academic routine running smoothly.

These resources are a lifesaver for independent work time. The matching activities are engaging, easy to differentiate, and perfect for my classroom’s varying needs. My students love the winter-themed images, and I love that I can print or assign the digital versions depending on the activity. It’s an easy way to sprinkle holiday magic into our academic routine without sacrificing structure.  To see how I use the digital Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks at my Boom Cards center, read this post.

Routine is the Real MVP

Christmas Class Party 6

In any self-contained classroom, routine is king—and this is especially true during the holiday season. I make sure our classroom schedule stays as predictable as possible, even with special events and activities sprinkled in.

I use visual schedules and countdowns to prepare my students for changes like our class party or schoolwide events. This helps ease anxiety and gives everyone a sense of what to expect. The Autism Helper materials integrate seamlessly into our schedule, making them one less thing I have to plan from scratch.

Self-Care for the Win

Surviving Until Christmas Break 5 (1)

Of course, surviving to Christmas break isn’t just about keeping the classroom running—it’s about keeping myself going too. I remind myself that it’s okay to lean on pre-made resources, prioritize the activities that matter most, and let go of perfection. My students thrive when I’m at my best, and that sometimes means taking a moment to recharge, even in the busiest season.
The weeks before Christmas break will always be busy, but with the right tools and a little holiday spirit, they don’t have to feel overwhelming. By using The Autism Helper resources and sticking to routines that work, my classroom stays on track—and I head into the holiday season feeling proud of the work we’ve done.

What are your favorite ways to survive until break? Let’s share ideas and keep spreading the holiday cheer!

Michelle Lindenmuth, M.Ed.
Latest posts by Michelle Lindenmuth, M.Ed. (see all)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Live & On-Demand Training

Picture of Michelle Lindenmuth, M.Ed.

Michelle Lindenmuth, M.Ed.

Related posts

Academics
  • Academics
  • Basic Skills
  • Resources
  • Summer

Sweet Summertime Activities

I cannot believe it’s time to be writing a summertime post!  How is it already June (or maybe you’re thinking…finally)?…
Jun 4, 2025
Learn More
Resources
  • Resources
  • Seasonal
  • Spring

Spring Weather & Surprise Eggs

After so much (welcomed) snow this year, I was equally as excited to break out weather and spring activities! This…
Apr 9, 2025
Learn More
this is a photo of an Autism Acceptance Week flyer created for an elementary school
Seasonal
  • Seasonal
  • Spring

Autism Acceptance Week: An Opportunity to Learn and Celebrate

As a passionate advocate for Autism Acceptance, I’ve been reflecting on creating inclusive environments for all students. Schools should be…
Apr 7, 2025
Learn More

FAQ

Do you accept School Pos?

Yes! We are happy to work with school districts to complete orders from our store for individual or groups of teachers. We accept purchase orders, can provide formal estimates, or complete any vendor paperwork you may need to support your district’s purchasing process. Submit a PO to [email protected] or request our W9 to get started!

The Membership gives you continuous access to a growing library of professional development, monthly trainings, resources, and practical tools you can use right away. It’s designed for educators, clinicians, and teams who want consistent support, fresh ideas, and ready-to-use materials all year long.

Courses are focused, start-to-finish learning experiences. Each course dives deep into one specific topic with structured modules, step-by-step instruction, and a clear learning path. You move through the content intentionally to build mastery in that area.

Curriculum Access is a complete, standards-aligned curriculum platform with lessons, materials, data tracking, and implementation tools built for special education classrooms. It helps you actually teach the skills, not just learn about how to teach them.

The resources you purchase are delivered electronically. We will not be shipping any finished products to you – they are all electronically downloadable.

We offer a lot of free information on everything from behavior supports to academic instruction to communication skill building. Start off at our blog, check out our YouTube videos, listen to our weekly podcast, and go in-depth with our free webinars.

Contact us

Shop Now