Baby’s First Valentine’s Day: Keepsake Ideas for New Parents

By Brooke Abbott Abron

I absolutely loved having a fall baby because it meant my little one was still tiny for all the fun holidays—the ones where you get to dress them up, decorate, and create sweet, cozy memories. Our first Valentine’s Day as parents was not without its share of diaper blowouts or pureed peas smeared on adorable outfits, but it was still magical in its own way. Valentine’s Day suddenly took on a whole new meaning—love wasn’t just about romantic gestures anymore. It was about our little family, and we couldn’t wait to share this special day with our son.

That year, we baked cookies for ourselves and made him a special apple and pear sauce that he absolutely loved. We dressed him up in the cutest little outfit and had our first official family date night. We got all dressed up and went to our favorite restaurant. Lucky for us, our son slept through the entire meal, but what really stuck with us were the memories of our day—baking, crafting, and taking lots of photos to look back on. As he got older, we kept the tradition going with homemade Valentine’s cards, heart-shaped treats, and quality time with the people we love the most. And, of course, we always documented it, because it’s just as special for us to look back on as it will be for him when he’s older.

If you’re celebrating your baby’s first Valentine’s Day, here are some fun, easy ways to create keepsakes and make beautiful memories—whether your little one is napping through it all or joining in the fun!

1. DIY Baby Footprint & Handprint Art

There’s nothing sweeter than capturing those tiny hands and feet before they grow! A Valentine's themed footprint or handprint craft makes for a perfect keepsake.

• Quick & Easy: Use a red, pink, or white non-toxic paint to stamp baby’s foot or hand onto cardstock or canvas. For a fun touch, position two footprints together to create a heart shape!

• For Busy Moms: Try an inkless handprint kit for a mess-free option—perfect to do while your little one is sleeping.

• Disability-Friendly Craft: Foam heart stickers are a great alternative! Press your baby’s foot onto them, then stick them into a scrapbook or on a handmade Valentine’s card.

2. DIY Valentine’s Photoshoot

Capture the cuteness with a simple at-home Valentine’s photoshoot. No professional photographer is required—just your phone and a little creativity!

• Minimal Effort: Lay the baby on a soft pink, red, or white blanket and scatter paper hearts around them.

• Newborn-Friendly: Swaddle your baby in a heart-patterned blanket or dress them in a love-themed onesie.

• While Baby Sleeps: Take a close-up of their tiny hands holding a plush heart or a handwritten love note from you.

3. Love Notes for the Future

Write a heartfelt letter to your baby about their first Valentine’s Day, your hopes for them, and how much they are loved.

• Memory Box Addition: Save the letter in a keepsake box to read together years from now.

• Quick & Meaningful: Record a voice memo or a video sharing your love and excitement.

• Newborn-Friendly: Use a pre-designed Valentine’s card and simply add a personal message.

4. Handcrafted Valentine’s Keepsake Box

A keepsake box is a wonderful way to store little mementos from baby’s first Valentine’s Day.

• Easy DIY: Decorate a small wooden or cardboard box with stickers, the baby’s name, and the date.

• Busy Mom Hack: Buy a pre-made memory box and personalize it with baby’s first Valentine’s onesie or a favorite photo.

• Disability-Friendly Option: If crafting is challenging, create a digital keepsake box—scan memories and store them in a special online folder.

5. Baby’s First Valentine’s Gift

Giving your baby a small, sentimental gift creates a sweet tradition that can continue each year.

• Personalized Board Book: A book with your voice recorded reading the story makes a timeless keepsake. 

• Photo Album: Start a mini Valentine’s album and add a photo from each year.

• Stuffed Animal: A soft plushie with an embroidered heart can become a lifelong comfort item.

Your baby’s first Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love in its purest form. Whether you’re crafting keepsakes, taking adorable photos, or simply soaking in the cuddles, the most important thing is to cherish the moment—diaper blowouts and all. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your little lovebug! 

Brooke Abbott Abron for Giggles LA: Known as Crazy Creole Mommy online, Brooke is a mom, advocate, activist, baby-wearing educator, and writer. As the founder of IBDMoms, she combines practical tips, mom advice, and evidence-based insights from her own lived experience to help families navigate both the joys and challenges of parenting.