Today's question: During the holiday break, would we rather stay home, or visit family, or take a vacation? It's complicated.

Happy holidays to you, dear listeners! We will be taking our own winter vacation and will return with a new episode on Monday, January 7.

When it comes to holiday foods and treats, Terri and Catherine are very much aligned. They'll take everything Nicole doesn't want, except possibly mince pie.

It's so noble when people don't want anything. And yet so infuriating!

Your road map to this week's entertainment-themed episode:

00:35 The West Wing: In "The Birnam Wood," come for the lecture on the Israeli-Palestinian stalemate. Stay for the extended footage of a beloved character's apparent demise!

09:47 Challenge Round: In Plain Sight: On West Wing, Mary McCormack plays the super-diplomat (and bangs-wearer) Kate Harper. Terri challenged Catherine to watch her as an altogether different, non-bangs-having character in the USA procedural In Plain Sight. We agreed that the pilot needs to dial the quirk waaaay back.

Next up: We're taking a break for the next two weeks. We'll be back on Tuesday, January 8, with a discussion of West Wing's "Third-Day Story," and for the challenge round, the 1996 movie Big Night.

00:31 Surprise Hamster: Santa Claus did some unauthorized shopping.

08:36 Clickbait Debate: A Buzzfeed article about a chart comparing stay-at-home and working moms prompted us to talk about all the different points on that spectrum that we've experienced. And to remind everyone to live and let live.

25:45 Speed Round: Holiday Preparations: We haven't done much, and only some of us are at peace with that. 

38:12 Roundabout Roundup: We're listening to the Thunder Bay podcast, the Poscast holiday draft episode, and the McGarrigle Christmas Hour album.

44:52 Shameless Self-Promotion: We got nothing. It's the holidays, people!

Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music. If you're reading this somewhere without hyperlinks, come to http://parentingroundabout.com for the full recap experience.

Today's question is "How many of these holiday movies have you seen?" (With a secondary question of "Is that a holiday movie, really?")

Today's question: What is your favorite holiday candy? Or are you quite happy with everyday, year-round treats dressed up in holiday wrapping? (If this speed round makes you hungry, here is a recipe for peppermint bark so you don't have to buy it from Williams-Sonoma.)

Your road map to this week's entertainment-themed episode:

00:31 Dancing with the Stars Juniors: We have a winner! And we're very pleased to see Sky take home the trophy.

09:58 The Good Place: Speaking of winning, this episode was the best of season 3 thus far, as the gang makes their way back to the Afterlife.

20:17 The West Wing: We kick off season 6 with "NSF Thurmont," an episode so serious that Donna clinging to life is somehow the comic relief.

Next week, we'll watch the next West Wing episode, "The Birnam Wood." And since Good Place is on a brief seasonal hiatus, we'll return to our challenge rounds with the pilot of In Plain Sight, starring Mary McCormack (an actor we're enjoying on these episode of West Wing). 

00:32 Tired Terri: Her new Fitbit may be contributing to Terri's couch-sleeping, early-rising habits.

06:50 Lies, White Lies, and Santa: Inspired by this Offspring article, we confess some of the lies, fibs, and distractions we have told our kids. Mentioned: This New York Times article about DNA testing and family secrets.

31:55 Speed Round: Small Day-Brighteners: To cheer up from all the lying, we indulge in little pleasures like listening to podcasts and surfing Instagram.

38:32 Roundabout Roundup: Stash double spice chai tea; three Bobby Bones-related podcasts (The Bobby Bones Show, the Bobbycast, and 4 Things with Amy Brown); gift ideas at The Inventory.

43:30 Shameless Self-Promotion: The podcast, and Catherine, on Instagram; podcast quotes on Facebook; and Nicole's blog, The Inclusive Class.

Thanks as always to Jon Morin for our fun in-and-out music. If you're reading this somewhere without hyperlinks, come to http://parentingroundabout.com for the full recap experience.