The Holiday Headstart

It’s the week before Christmas, and the whirlwind is real. Your to-do list is long, your time is short, and the pressure feels intense. But here’s the truth: Christmas isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection, joy, and being present for the moments that matter most.  Today, we’re here with a pep talk to help you find peace in the chaos. Join us as we share helpful strategies for slowing...

Do you feel overwhelmed trying to keep track of everything during the holidays? Today, we’re sharing one of our best-kept teacher secrets: creating a script for big days like Christmas. A script is more than a plan—it’s a minute-by-minute outline that acts as your safety net, support system, and freedom-giver during hectic events. Listen in as we unpack how this simple tool can help you stay organ...

In this episode, we tackle the stress that comes with the holiday season and explore proactive strategies to manage overwhelm. Instead of waiting for the inevitable meltdown, we’ll discuss how to build a plan that simplifies your responsibilities while ensuring your home stays functional and festive. From revisiting your personal holiday values to crafting a Minimum Upkeep Plan (MUP), you’ll walk...

In today's episode, we are diving into the festive yet sometimes daunting task of holiday planning. From managing the expectations and potential pitfalls of putting up your Christmas tree to smart strategies for tackling your gift lists and holiday checklists, we've got you covered. Learn how to streamline your holiday tasks with our unique approach to task dockets, helping you to turn overwhelmin...

Welcome back to the Teacher Approved podcast! In today's episode, we're sharing 10 easy steps for starting a new tradition. We discuss the significance of traditions in building a healthy, happy, connected life and provide a comprehensive guide to starting new traditions with purpose and intention. Plus, stick around for our "Get a Head Start Tip" on planning your holiday sensory experiences and a...

Managing the Christmas Elf tradition can feel daunting, especially as the holidays get busy. In this episode, we explore a 5-step process to create Elf Magic that keeps things joyful and manageable. With the help of our Elf Magic Made Easy planner, we’re giving you the tools to make elf planning a plug-and-play experience. Join us as we explore the magic of holiday traditions and share creative ti...

In this episode, we reflect on where we stand with our holiday preparations. With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving quickly approaching, this is the perfect moment to pause, celebrate what we've accomplished, and figure out what still needs to be done before Christmas. We follow a simple, three-step process: first, we evaluate our progress so far, then make some course corrections, and finally,...

Ready to kick off your holiday baking season? Join us as we dive into the joys and challenges of holiday baking! From long-cherished traditions to finding that perfect recipe, we’re sharing tips and stories to inspire your festive creations. Not a cooking enthusiast? You're not alone! But there's something magical about holiday treats. Discover how to prioritize your favorite recipes, plan ahead w...

The holiday season is just around the corner, and we're here to help you make it your best one yet! In our latest episode of the Teacher Approved podcast, we explore the 3 Cs of Holiday Planning: Calendaring, Confirming, and Coordinating. These are your secret weapons for turning holiday chaos into a well-orchestrated holiday celebration! Get those important holiday events on your calendar now so...

In this exciting episode, we're diving into the planning and preparation of holiday traditions. Have you ever considered all the details that go into planning traditions or activities? We have! And our Holiday Headstart Action Plan is the perfect tool for getting all the details out of your head and into reality. Join us as we put our Action Plan into action and use it to plan our new Reindeer Gam...

In this episode, we explain how to approach holiday gift giving with an intentional plan. Our Holiday Headstart method includes: Listing and categorizing recipients. Deciding who will receive single or multiple gifts. Determining the type of gift each person will receive—personal, thoughtful, or friendly. We explain how to use the "Holiday Head Start Playbook" for detailed organization. And we sha...

In this episode of "The Holiday Headstart," we identify and organize our core holiday values using a structured exercise from our Holiday Headstart Playbook . Then we use our values to craft a purpose statement to help guide our holiday planning. Episode highlights: [01:04] - Tradition Spotlight on Fall Drives [05:21] - Starting with the Why of planning [14:17] - Writing a Holiday Purpose Statemen...

Have you ever thought about what truly matters to you during the holiday season? Sometimes as adults, we end up with default holidays instead of our ideal holidays, especially at Christmas! For example, maybe your Christmas celebrations are full of traditions that you grew up with, or traditions that you see others doing, but they don’t really bring you enjoyment.  On this podcast, we want to...

Having intentions to make the holidays feel special and actually bringing your ideas to life are two very different things! Whether you tend to leave things to the last minute, let overwhelm take over, or struggle to be present for the moments that matter most, we can relate. There was a time where we resisted the need to plan ahead for holidays, but now we want to help you learn from our mistakes...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Holiday Headstart, where we help you plan and prepare for all your celebrations so that you can truly enjoy them! We love any excuse to celebrate, so we’ll be covering so much more than major holidays like Christmas. We know it’s Spring, but trust us, this is actually the perfect time to start preparing for the holiday season. Inside this episode, we dive i...

Holidays are great, but the stress that comes with them? Not so much.  It’s time for a change! Welcome to The Holiday Headstart, the podcast that’s here to revolutionize the way you approach your celebrations! We’re your hosts, Heidi and Emily. We’re two sisters and former elementary school teachers who are on a mission to help you reclaim the joy in your holidays. On this podcast, you’ll lea...