HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE: Recipes, Tips, Tricks and More—INSIDE!

Plus, how to enter our grown-up gift guide contest (on now!).

December 19, 2025

ParentsCanada Logo

THE SURVIVAL GUIDE

December has a way of turning even the most organized parents into professional plate-spinners. Between packed calendars, heightened emotions (kids and their parents!) and the pressure to make everything feel “special,” it’s easy to find yourself limping toward the holiday finish line.

That’s why ParentsCanada partnered with Stacey Green of Staceygreenliving this season for a pair of candid, practical Instagram Lives designed to meet parents where they actually are.

As we head into the homestretch, here’s a roundup of what we covered — including the full articles inspired by those Lives, plus recipes from ParentsCanada and Staceygreenliving to make the season feel more doable.

In our first conversation, we focused on getting organized and feeding your family quickly on busy winter weeknights—even when stress is at its peak and time feels especially scarce. Tap on the article name above for all of the key takeaways (which may or may not include singing the praises of a grocery store rotisserie chicken).

Our second chat tackled entertaining with kids in the mix, covering what’s helpful to have on hand when little guests are part of the plan. (This latter will be especially helpful for the week ahead!) We also covered our editor Katie’s secret weapon for keeping kids occupied during parties! Tap the article title above for the goods.

🎁 Looking for a last-minute gift? Stacey’s book You’ll Eat It and You’ll Like It is a smart, hilarious cookbook (not unlike Stacey herself) for all the parents in your life. ParentsCanada readers can save 20% with promo code PARENTS — a small win in a month where every shortcut counts.

THE CONTEST

Instagram Post

You’ve shopped (heck, you’re probably still shopping). You’ve planned. You’ve likely wrapped a bunch of things when you should have been sleeping. You deserve a present, too.

 So, if you haven’t entered our Grown-Up Gift Guide Contest yet, consider this your nudge. We’re giving away some of our favourite gift picks of the season on Instagram and Facebook, and with four prizes still to go, the odds are very much in your favour (we’d love a late-December win for you!).

THE QUESTION BOX

Big family holiday gatherings are joyful, loud and full of tradition — and they can also easily tip into total chaos. When nearly everyone you love is under one roof, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s keeping the day moving smoothly enough that everyone actually enjoys it.

Here’s what helps:

  • Assigning tasks (yes, even dish duty) to make gatherings feel lighter for everyone

  • Creating a loose schedule to prevent hangry moments, meltdowns and overtired kids

  • Pacing gift giving when little guests are involved

  • Planning family-friendly games that break up the day

  • Stepping away from hosting mode and actually soaking in the moment

The best gatherings aren’t flawless—they’re the ones where everyone leaves feeling happy, fed and still speaking to one another. Ready to read more? Hit the button below.

THE PRODUCT PICKS

If you have a little one in your life who struggles with eczema, you know how hard it can be to help them find real relief. Give the gift of comfort this season and tuck one (or more!) of these specially formulated products in with their present. AVEENO’s Baby Eczema Care line includes a moisturizing cream, a gentle baby wash, a nighttime balm and a soothing bath treatment. Each is designed to calm itchy, painful, irritated skin, helping your kiddo feel more comfortable—and free to focus on everything else that makes the season feel special.