Dont forget about the vacation and PTO ontop of the holidays.

I would gladly take a 20% pay cut to get the same perks.

So why don't you? Your employer would almost certainly be willing (source: I have successfully gone through this kind of negotiation myself). If they're not, there are probably other employers looking for the same skills. Or was your claim merely convenient rather than true?

I'm a tool designer for a small company. The company doesnt have the manpower to cover abcenses that long.

I could probably negotiate that if I left for a bigger company. This would also likely require a move.

Teachers often have to do teaching work over the holidays or attend continuing education. Or they have to work their 2nd job because teaching doesn't pay enough.