The first holiday season as newlyweds is a special time to set the tone for future celebrations together. Crafting your own traditions lets you combine beloved customs from each of your backgrounds and create something new and uniquely yours. These early traditions will become the foundation of your family’s holiday legacy—a blend of memories, values, and dreams for the future. 

In this guide, we’ll explore ways to create meaningful holiday traditions that reflect who you are as a couple. From thoughtful discussions on what matters most to creative, personalized rituals, you’ll find inspiration to make this holiday season—and every season ahead—an unforgettable part of your shared story. 

Reflect on What Matters Most 

The holidays mean something different to everyone. Start by discussing what’s most meaningful to each of you. Maybe you each have different cultural or religious practices, or one of you loves elaborate holiday decor while the other loves cooking for family. Set aside time to talk about what matters most to you both, and don’t be afraid to explore new ideas, even if they differ from your family’s traditions. For example: 

• Holiday Food Traditions: Are there dishes you grew up enjoying every year, or recipes you’ve always wanted to try? Food traditions can be a fun way to honor both of your family backgrounds and try something new together. 

• Gift-Giving Practices: Some people grew up with stockings filled to the brim, while others enjoyed a few select gifts or prefer giving back to the community. Finding common ground, like deciding on a budget or theme for gifts, can make holiday shopping feel collaborative and enjoyable. 

Blend Traditions from Both Sides 

Merging family traditions can be a wonderful way to honor your backgrounds while creating something unique for yourselves and the future of your marriage/family. Consider which traditions are non-negotiable for each of you and look for ways to blend them seamlessly: 

• Decorating Together: If one of you grew up decorating after Halloween while the other waited until after Thanksgiving, consider a compromise. Try setting aside a day in the season to decorate together, putting up meaningful items from both backgrounds. 

• Special Holiday Outings: Many families have traditions like driving around to look at lights, caroling, or picking out a tree at a Christmas tree farm. Make a list of activities you each enjoy and choose the ones that feel special to both of you, creating an annual outing (or a few!) that you’ll look forward to. 

Design a Unique Tradition Together 

Creating something entirely new can be an exciting way to mark the beginning of your life as a couple. Here are a few ways to start a new tradition that feels personal and meaningful: 

• Holiday Letters or Journals: Some couples write a letter to each other each holiday season, reflecting on the highs and lows of the year. This is a lovely way to document your journey together and look back on memories in the future. 

• Handmade Ornaments or Decorations: Design or craft an ornament together each year. This could reflect something memorable about that year—like a tiny snowman for your first holiday in a new area or a small replica of your first home. Over time, you’ll have a collection that tells your story. 

• Annual Holiday Playlist: Create a playlist of songs that resonate with you each holiday season, adding a few each year. Listening to your holiday playlist becomes an annual ritual, each song bringing back memories of the past seasons. 

Carve Out “Just Us” Time 

The holiday season often revolves around family gatherings, which can be meaningful but also overwhelming. Make time to celebrate just as a couple, whether it’s a quiet holiday morning or a night spent reflecting on the past year. Here are some ways to embrace this one-on-one time: 

• Holiday Movie Night: Choose a night to watch each other’s favorite holiday movies or find new ones you both enjoy. Make it special with holiday pajamas, themed snacks, and cozy blankets. 

• Date Night Tradition: Before the hustle of holiday parties, plan a date night for just the two of you. This could be an evening out at a seasonal event or a cozy night in with hot cocoa and homemade cookies. Having this intentional time helps you reconnect amid the holiday rush. 

Give Back Together 

Many couples find meaning in giving back during the holidays, whether through time, donations, or acts of kindness. Doing something charitable as a team fosters a sense of shared purpose and can become a meaningful yearly ritual. 

• Volunteer Together: Find a local shelter, soup kitchen, or charity event where you can volunteer together. This can be a great way to give back to your community while making the holiday season feel more meaningful. 

• Start a Giving Jar: Throughout the year, set aside a small jar where you both add a little cash or spare change. When the holiday season rolls around, decide together where to donate the contents—whether it’s to a family in need, a cause you both care about, or a charity you’ve discovered together. 

Don’t Overload Yourself 

Especially as newlyweds, it’s easy to feel obligated to attend multiple family gatherings, friend get-togethers, and work parties. Setting boundaries around the holiday season helps you both focus on what’s most meaningful to you. For instance, you might decide to alternate which family you visit each year or set aside one holiday for just the two of you. 

By communicating openly about your plans and priorities, you’ll avoid spreading yourselves too thin and feel more relaxed and present during the events you do attend. 

Make Space for Flexibility 

Traditions should enhance your life together, not create unnecessary stress or a feeling of obligation. Remember that the holidays will look different from year to year, especially as families grow, move, and change. If a tradition becomes stressful, give yourselves permission to tweak, replace it, or just omit it altogether. 

For example, if you started a tradition of cooking an elaborate holiday meal but find that it’s become too time-consuming, consider ordering takeout or hosting a low-key potluck. The goal is to create memories and enjoy each other’s company. 

Reflect and Enjoy 

After the holiday season, take a little time to reflect on the new traditions you tried and decide what you’d like to keep for the future. Did you enjoy your holiday playlist? Was the new recipe a hit? Each year offers a chance to build on the traditions you love and let go of those that didn’t quite fit. 

As you embark on your journey of creating holiday traditions together, remember that these moments don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. What matters most is that you’re building memories, laughter, and love—things that will make each holiday season richer than the last. These traditions are more than just festive routines; they’re a reflection of your relationship, woven from the unique combination of your backgrounds, values, and dreams for the future. 

Along the way, be open to change and let flexibility guide you. Some traditions may be kept every year, while others may naturally evolve as your family grows and new interests emerge. The true beauty of these shared rituals is that they’re entirely yours to create, adapt, and cherish together. 

As you look back each year, you’ll have a list of memories that reflect the strength of your bond. Whether it’s a cozy night of holiday movies, a new recipe that becomes a favorite, or the joy of giving back to your community, each tradition will be a stepping stone in the story of your life together. 

Here’s to many years of meaningful, joy-filled holiday seasons, and to the love and memories you’ll carry forward with each new tradition you create. 

Related Resources 

7 Cozy Utah November Date Ideas To Fall in Love With 

The Ultimate Top 10 Holiday Movie Marathon Guide! 

Justin Fague reviewed this article. To reach out, please email healthyrelationships@usu.edu.