How to commemorate the holiday season with your newborn
Your baby’s first holiday season is an exciting time. Maybe the holiday playlist is already on repeat, the tree is lit, and plans with family and friends are starting to take shape. This time of year often feels like a mix of cozy moments and memories you hope to hold onto (and maybe a little seasonal stress).
To help you navigate all of that, this guide, written in collaboration with How About Mom, offers safe holiday tips for newborns and inspiration to make this season with your baby feel warm and enjoyable – all at your own pace.
Why your baby’s first holiday season matters
Your baby’s first holiday season is more than a festive period. It marks the beginning of family moments you’ll cherish for years to come. Small rituals suddenly grow in significance: A first photo by the tree, a stroll through crisp winter air, or a dinner surrounded by people you love.
It doesn’t have to be extravagant or picture-perfect. Often, it’s the tiny moments – your baby’s smile, a peaceful morning, a cuddle before bedtime – that make this season meaningful.
Safe and cozy ways to celebrate with your newborn
The holidays can feel full and busy, but with a newborn, simplicity often makes the experience more manageable. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Choose your moments intentionally
Festive days can be overwhelming for newborns. Schedule in short moments where you can slow down and enjoy time together as a family.
2. Create a cozy, low-stimulus space
Soft blankets, dimmed lights, and familiar scents help your baby relax, even in a lively environment. Your stroller’s bassinet can double as a quiet place to rest when you need a moment away.
3. Dress in layers for every outing
Winter outings call for thoughtful layering. Pack a warm hat or footmuff for outdoor walks, a soft sleeping bag for indoor naps, and an extra pair of clothes for the unexpected.
4. Make time for naps and rest
Routine brings comfort. Try to keep feeding and sleeping times consistent. Heading out for a holiday dinner? Maybe adding an extra nap earlier in the day might work. Don’t stress if the feeding or sleeping schedule changes. If you can adjust and relax, so can your baby.
5. Support that keeps everyone comfortable
Choose products that help you stay flexible and comfortable. A rain cover can keep you prepared for sudden weather changes, while a transport bag makes it easier to take your gear on the go.
Creating new family traditions
You want to fully experience your baby’s first holidays, even during a socially busy season. Between familiar traditions and new routines, you may find yourself wondering which rituals feel true to your growing family.
Remember that holiday traditions for new parents don’t have to be big. Often, the simplest moments become the ones you return to year after year.
1. Your first family holiday card
A message that captures your year could be a photo by the tree or a small collection of favorite moments. It’s a simple way to thank loved ones for their support. Whether you send it through an app, as a postcard, or even as a short video with your holiday highlights, the gesture is what counts.
2. Creating a yearbook
Create a photobook with all the highlights from this year. You can also write a letter for your child to read in the future, capturing something you’ll want to remember. When your little one is a bit older, shifting through a photobook together might just become your favorite activity.
3. A winter walk together
Your baby won’t remember their first holiday season – but you will. That’s what makes these moments so meaningful.
You don’t need elaborate setups. Dress your baby warmly, pick a scenic route, and bring a thermos of hot chocolate. Snap a few photos along the way, and don’t hesitate to ask someone nearby to help. It’s all about capturing small, genuine moments of life as it is today.
Self-care tips for new parents during the holidays
The holiday season isn’t only about your baby. You’re part of this moment too – and your wellbeing shapes how you experience it. Many parents feel more stress during this time of year, so what can you do to make this holiday season relaxing for yourself as well?
1. Give yourself permission to do less
You don’t need to attend every event or meet every expectation. Choosing to rest is a tradition worth keeping. And remember, having a newborn is a perfect reason to turn down plans.
2. Ask for (and accept) help
Lean on your support system. Whether someone cooks a festive meal, watches the baby so you can step outside for a moment, or joins you for a walk, those small acts of support can give you the space and energy you need.
3. Take tiny pauses for yourself
A warm shower. A quick walk to the corner shop. A cup of tea while your baby sleeps. These small pauses help you enjoy the season with more ease. Self-care isn’t an add-on. You deserve rest and care too.
How Bugaboo supports families through every season
Parenthood changes with every season, and Bugaboo moves with you. Our products blend comfort, safety, and ease of use, supporting you from winter strolls to quiet mornings at home. From cold-weather essentials to lightweight city strollers , we help you enjoy every moment with your baby.
Checklist: 5 holiday tips to celebrate with your newborn
1. Keep routines as consistent as possible, but remember kids are flexible too.
2. Create a quiet, low-stimulus space.
3. Dress your baby in warm, layered clothing.
4. Use the stroller’s bassinet as a quiet place to rest when your baby needs a nap or a moment to relax.
5. Focus on connection, not perfection.
Your baby’s first holiday season doesn’t need to be grand, perfect, or planned down to the last detail. What matters is being present. Celebrate at your own pace and let go of anything that doesn’t fit. These are moments you’ll carry with you long after the season ends.
About How About Mom
This guide was written by the Dutch platform How About Mom. We have a clear mission: to provide new mothers the support they need – during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, and in those first exciting years of motherhood. Every day we help, inform, and support thousands of (expectant) mothers with our iOS and Android apps, books, website, and social channels.