5 Ways to Make Holiday Memories with Your Newborn (and Why You Don’t Need to Do It All)

The holidays with a newborn are a mix of cozy snuggles, first milestones, and the occasional baby meltdown under twinkling holiday lights. Let’s be honest: it’s magical but also a lot sometimes. The pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday? Nope, not here! 

This season isn’t about elaborate crafts or baking 200 cookies in the shape of reindeer. It’s about making meaningful, simple memories that remind you how special this time is without leaving you completely drained.

Ready to embrace a calmer, more joyful holiday season with your newborn? Here are five ways to do just that (spoiler: you really don’t need to do it all).

1. Capture the Real Moments with Postpartum in Mind

That perfect family holiday photo might be the dream, but you know what’s even better? Capturing the raw, heartwarming chaos of the early days. These are the moments that will matter years from now: the baby yawns in front of the tree, the quiet snuggles, and, yes, even the messy ones like your matching Christmas pjs covered in spit up. 

• Pro Tip: Keep your phone or camera handy, but don’t stress about staging. Focus on snapping photos during ordinary moments, like bath time by candlelight or your little one’s curious gaze at twinkling lights.
• Add Some Fun: Document “firsts,” like the baby’s first-holiday outfit or, if the baby is older than 6 months, their first taste of mashed sweet potatoes (puree, anyone?).
• Avoid Burnout: Share the camera duty with your partner or family. Let someone else capture the magic so you can be in the moment, not just behind the lens. Explaining to your partner or family member how important capturing these moments are to you before the holidays can help! 

2. Start a Low-Key Holiday Tradition You’ll Actually Keep Up With 

Traditions don’t have to be Pinterest-worthy to be meaningful. The best ones are simple, personal, and easy enough to repeat every year—no extra stress is required.

• Traditions Worth Trying:
• Read a holiday book to your baby every year (bonus: jot a memory from that year inside the cover and pull past years out every December).
• Decorate an ornament together, like one with your baby’s handprint or footprint.
• Watch a holiday movie snuggled in matching PJs (even if you only make it through 10 minutes before a feeding).
• Why It Works: These small, low-pressure activities give you something to look forward to each year without adding to your to-do list or feeling the pressure to get a bunch of stuff together with a baby or toddler at home. 

3. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection

We’ve all been there—trying to make everything just right for the holidays and ending up too frazzled to enjoy any of it. Here’s a reality check: your baby doesn’t need elaborate decorations or 10 holiday outings. They just need you.

• How to Keep It Simple:
• Sing carols while changing diapers (off-key is fine!).
• Let your baby touch the textures of holiday decorations, such as tinsel, soft stockings, or a fuzzy Santa hat.
• Snuggle together by the tree for some quiet bonding time.
• Why It’s Powerful: Babies thrive on connection. Small, meaningful moments with you are what matter most—and bonus, they don’t require you to spend hours planning.

4. Lean on Your Village with Doula Services in Salt Lake City

The holidays are about connection, including leaning on your support system. Whether it’s family, friends, or your postpartum doula, there’s no shame in sharing the holiday magic (and responsibilities!).

• Here’s How:
• Let family members read a holiday book or sing to the baby while you sit back and breathe.
• Host a casual cookie-decorating day at home. Your village can help bake while you supervise with a cup of tea in hand.
• Ask a postpartum doula to help with light cleaning, holiday meal prep, or even holding the baby so you can enjoy a guilt-free nap. Have a busy few days ahead. Hire a postpartum doula to watch the baby while you get a whole night of sleep - so you can feel rested and ready to do anything! 
• Why It’s Okay to Ask for Help: You don’t have to do everything on your own. Letting others help frees you up to focus on what really matters—your baby and your own well-being.

5. Celebrate Tiny Wins (And Remember You’re An Awesome Parent!) 

If you take nothing else from this, let it be this: imperfection is the best holiday gift you can give yourself. The holiday season with a newborn is about the small victories, not the big productions.

• What to Celebrate:
• Your baby giggles at twinkling lights for the first time.
• Surviving a family gathering with minimal baby meltdowns (or at least no adult ones).
• Take a moment to actually sit down and enjoy a warm cup of cocoa while your baby naps.
• Why It Matters: These little wins remind you that you’re doing an incredible job—even when the house feels like chaos and you’re not ticking every box on your to-do list.

Why You Really Don’t Need to Do It All

Let’s bust the myth that a busy holiday equals a better holiday. You don’t need a packed calendar, an over-decorated house, or a list of 50 traditions to make this season memorable. Your baby doesn’t care about any of that.

They’ll remember (someday) the warmth of your love, the sound of your voice, and the way you made them feel safe and cherished during this special time.

Ready to Make This Season Meaningful?

If the thought of juggling holiday plans and newborn care feels like too much, we’ve got you. A postpartum doula can handle the practical stuff—like light meal prep, cleaning, and baby care—so you can focus on what matters most: making memories without the stress.