Ahh, baby’s first Christmas.
It’s a time so many parents have eagerly anticipated. If you’re anything like me, maybe you’re already a bit of a Christmas fanatic and adding a baby to the scene just makes everything even more amazing.
Here’s how to make this time of year perfect for you and your new little family.
Step 1- Do NOT Buy All The Things!
Your baby is under a year old and has no idea what these gifts are, probably can’t open them, and definitely won’t hold it against you if you got them the wrong Paw Patrol pup toy. So, take it easy this year. Focus on picking up a gift that will be memorable for years to come. Because, if we’re really being honest, this Christmas is mostly for your enjoyment. Here are a few ideas for gifts for baby’s first Christmas: An engraved ornament, a beautiful sweater, or a Christmas book that you can read to your child every year on Christmas Eve.
Step 2- Remember to Sleep In.
If this is your first baby, and if you’re spending Christmas at home without other children, there is no reason to wake up like a bunch of 4 year olds and race down to the Christmas tree at 6am with your baby to open gifts. PLEASE sleep in! Even if this means you’re up at 6am because of the 5am night feeding, at least you can still hang out in bed and nod off again. This is probably the last year you will ever get to roll out of bed, leisurely make your coffee and open gifts whenever you feel like it. After that, be ready to be poked in the eye at 5am by a child who has barely slept and wants to open gifts NOW!
Step 3- Get Ready for Relatives
Christmas might be the first time since the birth of your baby that you’ve been around so many relatives. Figure out a plan for all the different scenarios that might ensue. Baby needs to nurse? Will you pop a breast out at the dinner table and feed baby with everyone else or will you head off to a private space? Baby is tired and starting to melt down and supper isn’t even on the table yet? Will you head home early, put the baby down somewhere, or stick the baby in a babycarrier and carry on?
Step 4- Take Lots of Photos
Every year before Christmas we make our way to the mall for “the most beautiful photos ever taken”, photos on Santa’s lap. Over the last 5 years, they’ve ranged from pretty awesome, to an unplanned photo of the entire family because one child refused to even go near the man in the red suit. But I treasure them anyway, because I never did this growing up and it’s a great way to watch our boys change each year. In the last two years we’ve started doing mini-photo shoots with Tanis Saucier, a local photographer. She takes photos worthy of ending up on our holiday cards and I get to pretend that my kids always look so well dressed and sweet. No matter who’s taking the photos, take lots and treasure them.
Whatever holiday you’re celebrating over the next month, remember to relax and have as much fun as you can.
Pass the baby off if you want some time with adults, put a little rum in your eggnog if you want- it’s okay! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, remember?
