alternating holidays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alternating holidays" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where holidays are observed in a rotating manner, often alternating between different days or types of holidays. Example: "We celebrate alternating holidays each year, spending one year with my family and the next with my partner's family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Rob gets alternating holidays and unlimited weekends - in Utah - during the school year, and five weeks in the summer.

Huffington Post

One drawback to alternating holidays annually is that one parent will have to face the disappointment of not being with his or her children every holiday each year.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Whatever alternate holiday you choose to celebrate today Single's Awareness Day, Galentine's Day, Fuck You Mom and Dad for Loving Me Too Much Day you need a tune. .

Vice

Some parents will alternate each holiday on an annual basis.

Huffington Post

A normal holiday schedule will alternate each years holiday so that neither party misses out on Christmas, July 4th, or any other holiday that is important to you.

WikiHow

They've since chosen to alternate spending the holidays with two sets of parents each year.

Huffington Post

To simulate the interaction between different coating holidays on buried pipeline under alternating current (AC) interference, laboratory experiments were carried out using a specially designed circuit connecting two specimens of different sizes.

Corrosion Science

Of those people who did not take a vacation last year, but feel confident they will take a holiday trip this year, 11 percent say that they are alternating travel year by year to save money.

The New York Times

(4) Thanksgiving is handled with some people alternating just the day, and others alternating the entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend from perhaps Wednesday after school until Sunday evening.

Huffington Post

During his low-key holiday in the state where he grew up, the president has played golf each day, alternating between the court at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kan'eohe Bay and Mid-Pacific Country Club in neighboring Lanikai.

Los Angeles Times

Scrooge's sister, Fan (Alejandra Melian-Morse, alternating with Sarah Oliver), sings "Barbara Allen," which those of us devoted to the 1951 "Christmas Carol" with Alastair Sim now think of as a holiday song.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "alternating holidays" in legal or parenting contexts, be specific about which holidays are included and how the schedule is structured to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague descriptions. Instead of simply stating "we have alternating holidays", specify which holidays are alternated (e.g., Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays) and the pattern (e.g., even years with one parent, odd years with the other).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alternating holidays" functions as a noun phrase, where "alternating" modifies "holidays". It describes a scheduling arrangement, particularly in legal or familial contexts, as shown in Ludwig examples. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alternating holidays" refers to a schedule where holiday time is divided or rotated, often between co-parents or families. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not overly common, the phrase is practical for describing visitation schedules, agreements, or family arrangements. Related terms include "rotating holidays" and "shared holiday schedule". When using this phrase, clarity is key to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rotating holidays

Replaces the word "alternating" with "rotating", emphasizing the cyclical nature of the holiday arrangement.

shared holiday schedule

Focuses on the collaborative aspect of dividing holidays, particularly in co-parenting situations.

split holiday time

Emphasizes the division of holiday periods between parties.

taking turns for holidays

Highlights the act of each party having the holiday at different times.

holiday visitation schedule

Specifically refers to a schedule, often legally defined, for holiday visits, especially in divorce or separation cases.

holiday custody arrangements

Focuses on the legal and practical arrangements for holiday custody.

holiday sharing agreement

Highlights the agreement reached to share holiday responsibilities or time.

alternating Christmas and Thanksgiving

Provides a specific example of which holidays are being rotated.

year-on-year holiday exchange

Describes the holiday division scheme across years.

reciprocal holiday visits

Describes the arrangement where the visiting/hosting duties are reversed on different years.

FAQs

How does an "alternating holidays" schedule work in co-parenting?

In co-parenting, an "alternating holidays" schedule typically involves parents taking turns celebrating specific holidays with their children each year. For example, one parent might have the children for Christmas in even-numbered years and the other in odd-numbered years. Thanksgiving could then "rotate" in a similar fashion.

What are some benefits of having "alternating holidays"?

An "alternating holidays" arrangement can promote fairness between parties, ensuring both get quality holiday time. It can also reduce conflict and provide predictability for all, helping to make holiday planning easier. Further, children benefit when they have predictable and stable "arrangements".

What are some challenges of "alternating holidays"?

One challenge is the potential for disappointment if a parent misses a particular holiday one year. Careful planning and open communication are crucial. Also, families might struggle if they live far apart, making travel difficult. It's important to make alternate plans during the "holidays".

What can I say instead of "alternating holidays"?

You can use alternatives like "rotating holidays", "shared holiday schedule", or "split holiday time" depending on the context.