If you're unhappy if your job in general, go with the 3rd option (look for something better during the holidays).
If you're only unhappy if the pending deadline and the ensuing chaos, go with the 1st or 2nd option. This depends on how you feel the CEO will react to the deadline not being reached (he could take it out on the people around him or the people who took time off).
If you genuinely care about the company and what its trying to do, go for the risky 4th option. If it doesn't pay off, fallback to 3rd option.
If you're only unhappy if the pending deadline and the ensuing chaos, go with the 1st or 2nd option. This depends on how you feel the CEO will react to the deadline not being reached (he could take it out on the people around him or the people who took time off).
If you genuinely care about the company and what its trying to do, go for the risky 4th option. If it doesn't pay off, fallback to 3rd option.
my 2 cents