The key to an enjoyable and unforgettable first Christmas with a baby lies in two equally important things:
- Preparations
- Expectations
Christmas with a newborn baby can be truly magical, but for obvious reasons comes with its own unique challenges. So with this in mind, what follows is a brief overview of several important tips for getting the most out of a baby’s first Christmas:
Baby’s First Christmas: Your Complete Survival Guide
-
Keep Things Simple
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that your tiny baby isn’t going to remember much of what happens anyway; what’s more, taking things too far and could end up somewhat overwhelming for the poor little thing. Not to mention his or her poor little parents! There will be plenty of time to go nuts with the festivities in the future, but for now, it’s better to keep things straightforward.
-
Have Realistic Expectations
By realistic, we mean not expecting the whole thing to be some picture-perfect snapshot of the idyllic family Christmas without a single hiccup along the way. It’s guaranteed to be a magical and memorable time, but you’ll still look after your tiny baby like any other day of the year. Christmas with a baby can be unpredictable at the best times, so you need to gauge your expectations accordingly and expect the unexpected.
-
Think Carefully About Keepsakes
There are so many ways you can capture these precious memories for life while setting your child up with a keepsake or two they’ll want to hang on to. One example of this is organizing a personalized letter from Santa Claus or even a recorded video message. They might not get much out of it this Christmas, but it’s guaranteed to warm their heart and light up their soul in years to come.
-
Think Twice About Lavish Gifts
As for the rest of the expensive and exclusive indulgences you intend to throw your baby’s way; experts typically advise not to bother. It’s almost impossible to resist the temptation, but it’s worth remembering that not only does your baby not need a great deal, but they also don’t care about lavish Christmas presents. At least, not for the time being, so you’re off the hook for now! Seriously – the average baby is far more interested in the box and the paper than whatever is inside it.
-
Plan Ahead
Rather than making things up as you go along, plan as many details as possible. Examples of these include who you intend to invite over, what you intend to cook, whether you intend to travel anywhere, and so on. Likewise, the importance of shopping for whatever you need as early as possible cannot be overstated. The last thing you want is to deal with the chaotic Christmas crowds at the last moment when you’ve already got a million and one things to do.
-
Grab a Safety Checklist
Christmas inherently brings all bits and pieces into the home that can be risky for babies. According to Baby Center, every Christmas decoration is a choking hazard, every bit of paper creates a fire risk, and there are of toxins and other nasties everywhere. You’ll, therefore, need to baby-proof your own little Christmas grotto, which means arming yourself with a helpful checklist. You’ll find many Christmas safety checklists and guides online – feel free to print one out if you prefer.
-
Soak it All Up
Last but not least, you only get one try at the baby’s first Christmas, so you might as well enjoy it for what it is. Chances are, it will be chaotic, messy, tiring, and tricky. It’s also likely to come and go at the snap of a finger. However crazy things become, you’ll look back on your baby’s first Christmas a few years from now and wish you could do it all over again. Soak up every moment and embrace the madness – it’s a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience!