For many parents, holidays are some of the most meaningful times of the year. Whether it is Christmas morning, Thanksgiving dinner, spring break travel, or celebrating special family traditions, parents naturally want to spend these important moments with their children.
When parents are divorced or separated, holiday schedules are typically governed by a court order. In Texas, the Standard Possession Order (SPO) includes specific provisions that determine how major holidays are divided between parents. Understanding these provisions can help avoid confusion, reduce conflict, and ensure that children enjoy consistent and predictable holiday schedules.
At Haugen Law Firm, P.C., we regularly assist parents throughout North Texas with custody, possession, and visitation matters. Below is an overview of the holidays commonly addressed in a Texas Standard Possession Order.
Christmas Possession
Christmas possession is divided into two separate periods and alternates each year between parents.
In odd-numbered years, the parent with the right to designate the child's primary residence typically has possession from the time school dismisses for winter break until noon on December 28. The other parent has possession from noon on December 28 until 6:00 p.m. on the day before school resumes.
In even-numbered years, the schedule reverses.
This alternating schedule allows both parents to enjoy Christmas traditions with their children over time.
Thanksgiving Possession
Thanksgiving possession alternates each year between parents.
Generally, one parent will have possession beginning when school dismisses for the Thanksgiving holiday and ending when school resumes following the break. The other parent receives Thanksgiving possession the following year.
Because Thanksgiving possession takes priority over the regular possession schedule, parents should review their orders carefully each year to determine whose holiday year it is.
Spring Break Possession
Spring break possession also alternates between parents.
For parents who live within 100 miles of one another, the parent who does not have possession during Thanksgiving in a particular year often receives possession during spring break.
The spring break period typically begins when school dismisses for the holiday and ends when school resumes.
As with other holiday provisions, spring break possession supersedes the regular weekend possession schedule.
Mother's Day and Father's Day
Texas courts recognize the importance of allowing children to spend Mother's Day and Father's Day with the appropriate parent.
Regardless of whose weekend it may be under the regular possession schedule:
The mother is entitled to possession of the child on Mother's Day weekend.
The father is entitled to possession of the child on Father's Day weekend.
These provisions apply automatically under the Standard Possession Order and take priority over the regular possession schedule.
Child's Birthday
The Standard Possession Order also provides special possession rights for a child's birthday.
Depending on the circumstances and distance between the parents, the parent who does not have possession on the child's birthday may be entitled to a period of possession on that day.
These provisions help ensure that both parents have opportunities to celebrate important milestones in their child's life.
Summer Possession
While not technically considered a holiday, summer possession is one of the most significant possession periods under a Standard Possession Order.
The non-primary parent may be entitled to an extended summer possession period, while the primary parent may have rights to designate specific weekends during that extended possession.
Summer possession schedules often require advance notice and careful planning, making it important to review your court order well before school lets out.
Holiday Possession Takes Priority
One of the most important things for parents to understand is that holiday possession schedules generally take priority over regular weekend and weekday possession periods.
For example, if a parent would ordinarily have a first, third, or fifth weekend under the Standard Possession Order, that weekend may be overridden by a holiday schedule.
Because of this, reviewing the calendar in advance can help prevent misunderstandings and scheduling conflicts.
Can Parents Agree to a Different Holiday Schedule?
Absolutely.
Many parents choose to customize their holiday schedules to better fit their family's traditions, travel plans, and work schedules. As long as both parents agree, they may arrange possession differently than what is outlined in the Standard Possession Order.
In fact, cooperative co-parenting often allows families to create schedules that work even better than the default provisions provided by Texas law.
Planning Ahead Makes All the Difference
Holiday schedules can become complicated, especially when travel, extended family gatherings, and changing school calendars are involved. The best way to avoid conflict is to review your court order early, communicate with the other parent, and make plans well in advance.
At Haugen Law Firm, P.C., we help parents throughout Denton County, Collin County, Cooke County, Dallas County, and Tarrant County understand their rights and responsibilities under Texas custody orders. Whether you need assistance interpreting a possession schedule, modifying an existing order, or resolving a visitation dispute, our team is here to help.