Holiday Traditions to Start with Your New Baby

Do you fondly remember getting to open one present on Christmas Eve, or baking cookies with your grandma on the first night of Hanukkah? Holiday traditions make up some of the most treasured memories of people’s childhood memories. Holiday traditions are repeated rituals that provide a sense of identity and help tell the story of your family. Recreating the same experience, builds shared memories with the hope that each time you do it you’re reminded of all the previous (hopefully happy) experiences you had doing the same thing.
 
As we begin to form our own families and become new parents, we get to decide what beloved family traditions we will continue. We also have the chance to start new traditions with our own families. 
 
Building new holiday traditions can be a lot of fun! We’ve compiled a list of some of the most loved family holiday traditions, including favorites from our staff, that you can implement in your own home. Most are time and effort friendly and can be enjoyed by all!
 
Gift a New Ornament Every Year
 
“Every Christmas my mom would get me a special ornament of my own, and we’re still going! I love it so much I started it with my own daughter.” – Anna, Director of Marketing 
 
Another take on gifting an ornament could be making an ornament with your child. You could do a handprint ornament or a photo ornament.
 
Christmas Eve Pajamas (bonus if you match)
 
A lot of our staff and their families partake in the one gift on Christmas Eve, which is usually pajamas. And what is cuter than a matching family set? There are so many options today for families to match and different styles that you can do something new every year!
 
Family Reflection
 
“We look through a few photo albums as a family of older albums together. It makes us grateful and happy to have one another.” – Sara, Lead Creative 
 
“We love to look at photos of the kids. And show them that their parents were once also kids. They can’t believe it.” – Keith, CEO
 
Coming together as a family to reflect on the past and look forward to the future is a beautiful moment that reminds us of what is important. 
 
Make a Gingerbread House
 
With Trader Joes becoming so popular, gingerbread house kits are at the ready every holiday season. You can pick up a kit for everyone in the family and have a decorating contest or build one together to display. If you’re more ambitious, here’s a recipe for making one from scratch. 
 
A Holiday Feast
 
“We do a traditional Norwegian Christmas Eve dinner- svinestek and Rødkål. It’s the only time mom makes the Rodkol and its soooooo good.” – Annalise, Head of Operations 
 
Taste and smells are powerful receptors for memory. Finding a food tradition that is special and unique to your family is a fun way to build core memories.
 
Give Back
 
The holiday season is a time for giving and what better way to give then to find a way to give back. Volunteer in your community, donate to a gift drive, or help a family in need. 
 
Read a Different Holiday Book Each Night
 
Cozy up with your little one and read a special holiday themed book. With so many holiday books to choose from, you can easily start this tradition. Visit your local library or check out Amazon to find holiday picture books to read before bed during the month of December.
 
Bake Cookies
 
‘Tis the season for sweet treats! A fun family activity is putting on some holiday music and baking cookies. From sugar cookies to chocolate thumbprints, try one (or more) of these recipes.
 
Take in the Lights
 
Go on a drive (or walk) around your neighborhood or community and check out the best holiday light display.
 
Decorate Together
 
Turn on the holiday tunes or pop in your favorite holiday movie and put up the decorations together. Decking the halls is a festive way to get into the holiday spirit and can involve the whole family in the fun.
 
Family Photo
 
Capture the family with an annual family photo. It’s a wonderful way to see how everyone changes through the years and can double for use in holiday cards.
 
We’d love to hear from you on your favorite family tradition. Drop a comment below!