Baby's First Christmas

Christmas is already magical enough, but if it’s your baby’s first Christmas you’ll no doubt be feeling more excited than ever. We’ve got some great ideas to help you make this festive season extra special and create family traditions you’ll want to continue throughout your baby’s childhood.

Family Christmas traditions, old and new

Most of us have fond memories of time spent together as a family at Christmas. When you become parents yourselves it’s understandable that you’d want to recreate these happy traditions for your little one, and create a few of your own. A great place to start is by talking to family members about the things that made your own childhood Christmases so special. Dig out old family Christmas photos and ask if there are any special ornaments your parents would like to hand down.

Why not pick a spot in your home and take a photo in the same place every Christmas?

Baby’s first Christmas stocking

Your baby’s first Christmas stocking is a perfect way to introduce something new that will stay with your newborn for many years to come. It may be something that a keen knitter in the family creates, as they may have done when you were a baby. You could also try sites like Etsy or Not On The High Street to find handmade Christmas stockings that can be customised just for your baby.

A popular family tradition is to buy and hang a new Christmas tree decoration for your baby each year. Eventually, you’ll have a collection of ornaments to hand down once they have a family of their own. You can make your simple decorations using your baby’s footprints or handprints, or buy handmade, personalised baubles online.

Baby’s first Christmas outfit

You’ll find plenty of options when it comes to cute baby Christmas outfits. From snuggly snowmen to elves and reindeers, dressing up your little one can be great fun and provides the perfect photograph opportunity. Just make sure that whatever outfit you buy is suitable for a baby – it shouldn’t make them too hot or too cold, and should meet safety standards.

Christmas family photos

Capturing every moment of your baby’s first Christmas is easier than ever thanks to smartphone cameras. What you do with them is up to you; you can print photobooks, make Christmas cards or send copies to the family. Why not pick a spot in your home and take a photo in the same place every Christmas?

Christmas birth announcements

A first group family photo or a shot of your baby in their elf outfit will make for a cute Christmas birth announcement. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration when it comes to creative ways to share your news at Christmas. It’s a good idea to include your baby’s full name, date of birth, time of birth and weight; these are the details that friends and family will want to know.

Relax and enjoy

Remember, Christmas is a time for family but if you’ve just given birth it’s important to put yourself and your new family first. If you’d rather lie low and enjoy the chance to bond and recuperate, it’s your right to do so.
Do what feels best for you, even if that means politely putting visitors off for a week or two beyond Christmas.
If you have family close by get them to help in practical ways – dropping off meals, putting up the tree or folding washing, for example.
Most of all, enjoy your baby’s first Christmas and treasure your first Christmas as a parent.

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