Holiday Outreach Ideas
We curated a fantastic list of ideas to connect with medical providers during the holidays:
Holiday Cards
- Encourage individual parents to send holiday cards with photos of their children to their OBs
- OBs often only see the very early stages of adjusting to a diagnosis, and it can be very helpful for them to see what everyday life looks like for their families after the pre- and post-natal period!
Holiday Packet
Mail or drop off a small packet with:
- A card thanking them for supporting expectant families
- Your organization’s brochure or “Quick Referral Guide”
- Current, evidence-based prenatal resources on Down syndrome
Holiday Gifts
Send or drop off a holiday gift:
- Look for gifts made by entrepreneurs with DS—holiday ornaments, cookies, photos
- Photography by Andy Meredith
- Watercolor paintings by Sophia Pineda
- Coffee from local shops that employ people with disabilities
- A brief note acknowledging the important role OBs play in family experiences
- A reminder that updated patient-friendly materials are available
- A QR code linking directly to downloadable prenatal resources and support contacts
Holiday Coffee/Cocoa Drop-In
Coordinate with practice managers for a morning “coffee + resources” visit. Frame the visit as a seasonal “thank you” drop-in, not a pitch. You can bring:
- Coffee travelers, cocoa, pastries, or fruit
- Thank you cards with family photos
- One-page “What’s New This Year in Down Syndrome Prenatal Resources” handout
- Laminated referral sheet for staff lounges
Short, Festive Email Outreach
Send a concise, warm email:
- Thank OBs and MFMs for supporting families all year
- Share one update (e.g., new translations, new guidelines, improved materials, new parent-matching program)
- Send end of year Impact Report or Annual Report
- Include one easy call to action: “Reply here if you’d like more printed resource kits.”
Holiday “Lunch & Learn”
These short discussions are loved by healthcare providers for free food/treats and inspiring stories!
- 15-20 minutes only
- Bring lunch as the “holiday thank you”
- Share a presentation that is light, approachable, and valuable without a long training commitment (such as a brief introduction of your organization, resources, and services)
- To minimize food costs, you could also host a breakfast with muffins, fruit, and bagels
Family Holiday Stories
Create a small printed or digital booklet:
- One-page stories from local families describing positive early supports
- Emphasis on parent experiences with their clinicians
- This helps OBs understand real family perspectives in a relatable way, and research shows that clinicians learn better from positive examples than negative ones!
Holiday Charity Drive Partnership
Invite OB practices to partner in a winter giving project to connect with the community in a meaningful way:
- Collect baby items for new families
- Create a co-branded flyer
Resources as Gifts
Provide a gift that doubles as a resource that providers can give to families:
- Children’s book with a focus on Down syndrome
- Sign language book
- Congratulations Project book
