First-Time Parents, 8 Ways to Make the Christmas Season Extra Special

The Christmas season often arrives in a flurry of activities, from decorating to shopping and attending gatherings. It's a busy time of year, but when you're a new parent, that festive chaos can feel completely overwhelming.

Don't worry if you can't keep up with old traditions. You can still make your baby's first Christmas special by focusing on the simple moments that matter most. Here are eight ways to create cherished memories without the stress.

1. Start a Signature Family Christmas Tradition

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), regular rituals are crucial for strengthening family bonds. Starting your own Christmas tradition—whether it's a special yearly ornament, a favorite holiday story, or baking a specific recipe—is a powerful way to create these strong, lasting connections.

Pick a new annual ornament

For your baby's first Christmas, choose a personalized ornament with their name and the year. You can continue this tradition annually by buying decorations or ornaments that represents a major milestone or inside joke from the past year.

Begin a Christmas countdown ritual

Here's one way to make your own activity countdown. On a strip of paper for each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas, write an easy, baby-friendly activity, such as:

• Read a new Christmas-themed book.
• Take a leisurely walk to admire the neighborhood lights.
• Bake cookies while your baby watches from a safe seat.
• Listen to classic Christmas carols.

This helps you create one fun memory daily.

2. Plan a Relaxed Holiday Photoshoot at Home

Take beautiful family Christmas photos right in the comfort of your own home—no professional studio needed. For the best shots:

• Find a cozy, naturally lit spot near a window for your baby.
• Use simple props like a Santa hat or Christmas decorations.
• Capture the tiny details, like your baby’s small hands holding an ornament.

For more creative inspiration, explore these ideas for capturing your baby's monthly milestones.

3. Baby-Proof Your Holiday Decor

Shatterproof decorations with textures and bright colors can help stimulate your baby's senses this Christmas season.

You love your beautiful, delicate Christmas decorations, but now you have a curious little one. Aside from babyproofing your home, focus on adding baby-safe, stimulating festive elements.

Decorate with your baby in mind.

Allow your baby to explore soft decorations with various textures, such as felt ornaments or velvet ribbons. The twinkling lights on the tree will also be fascinating for them to watch. Just ensure all cords and breakable items are well out of reach.

Focus on baby-safe tree placement.

If you worry about your baby pulling ornaments or touching electrical cords, consider placing the tree in a room that you can block off with a baby gate. You can also opt to decorate just the top two-thirds of the tree, leaving the bottom branches bare to avoid easy grabbing. You can also use soft, large, or non-breakable ornaments on the lower part of the tree.

4. Create a Holiday Playlist

Playing holiday music softly in the background does more than just create a festive mood. A 2024 scoping review in BMC Pediatrics analyzed 56 studies on passive music listening for infants (the study used lullabies and classical music). The review found this was consistently linked to positive effects like stabilized heart rates, reduced stress, and better sleep.

While the review notes that further research is needed to establish clear guidelines, it confirms that calm, soothing music can provide a rich and beneficial sensory experience for your baby.

5. Read a Christmas Story Together

It's never too early to start reading to your child. Choose a classic Christmas board book and make reading it together a tradition on Christmas Eve. This activity can help support your baby's development.

In fact, the AAP now considers promoting reading from birth an essential component of pediatric primary care. Their 2024 report confirms that reading with your baby supports early brain development and strengthens your parent-child bond.

The benefits are so profound that a 2022 review in Frontiers in Pediatrics even highlighted its positive impact on preterm infants in the stressful NICU environment. So when you cuddle up to read, know that this act is a way to build your baby's brain and create a holiday memory.

6. Rethink Holiday Gatherings

Plan holiday events around your baby's schedule. A happy, well-rested baby means a more magical Christmas for you.

The holiday season, with its packed schedules and social expectations, can be a significant source of stress. According to a 2024 review in BMC Public Health, parental burnout happens when these demands outweigh your resources to cope.

To protect your peace and let go of pressure:

• Say no to invitations that don't fit your family's schedule.
• Plan gatherings around your baby's usual routine, like nap times or wake windows.
• Don't hesitate to step away from the festivities for a quiet feeding or a cuddle session.

 7. Delegate the Christmas Cooking

If you often host Noche Buena or Christmas parties with your relatives and friends, take a break this year from preparing the hamón, queso de bola, and leche flan. Instead, ask family members to bring their signature dish, or order from a trusted local caterer. This frees you to focus on your baby and enjoy time with loved ones.

8. Create a Time Capsule Keepsake

Create a treasured keepsake to remember just how small your baby is this Christmas season—a beautiful way to capture your family’s first holiday memories.

• Make a DIY Christmas decoration by creating a salt dough ornament with your baby’s handprint or footprint. Simply mix flour, salt, and water, press your baby’s handprint, and bake until hard.
• Start a physical photo album with your favorite family Christmas photos from the entire season.
• You can also create a short digital time capsule—like a photo montage or short video clip—to revisit each Christmas as your child grows.

Your first Christmas season as a parent is an opportunity to create your own special memories. Remember to keep things simple, focus on connection, and savor each small moment. Your baby's first Christmas only happens once—make it a joyful, calm, and loving experience.

How do you celebrate the Christmas season with your baby? Share your traditions and memorable moments with other parents on the ParentTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group.