Baby’s first Christmas is such a special time for the whole family. The holidays are always magical, but there’s nothing better than celebrating the holidays with a new baby in the house. It’s a memorable moment that every parent looks forward to, so you want to make it extra special.
There are many ways to mark the occasion of a baby’s first Christmas. This is a unique time to start lifelong traditions or commemorate the first year with a new addition to your family. If you’re looking for a special way to mark the holiday and celebrate with your new addition this festive season, we have some ideas that may provide inspiration.
Make a cookie plate
Go to a children’s pottery studio or buy a DIY home kit and let your baby finger paint a plate that can become the annual plate to serve Santa’s cookies and the reindeer’s carrots. You can write the year and your baby’s name as well as “Christmas” or “Santa’s cookies” on the plate while your baby decorates the rest.
Attend a tree lighting
This is a nice way to get your baby out into the community for some Christmas magic while still outside to reduce the spread of germs from strangers. Seeing a huge tree lit up at the town green or the city center will spark wonder in your baby’s eyes. He may not be able to see Christmas lights at night from his rear-facing car seat so this out-of-the-car option at a family-friendly event lets him enjoy the magic.
Make or buy a custom stocking
You can buy a personalized stocking or try your hand at a DIY kit to make your baby’s stocking, which they will use Christmas after Christmas. The options are endless between snowmen, Santas, or snowflakes, but remember, you’re not just buying for a baby, you’re buying a stocking that will serve for her whole life, maybe even beyond childhood.
Decorate the nursery
Don’t forget the baby’s room when you dress up the rest of your home! Hanging a string of Christmas lights to replace a nightlight for a few weeks can be a festive way to bring Christmas to your baby. A small artificial tree with tiny ornaments on his dresser, a Rudolph stuffed animal, or a wreath on the nursery door can all add to the Christmas magic.
Make or buy a personalized ornament
There are so many adorable ornament ideas for a baby’s first Christmas. You can buy ornaments with photos (use your newborn photo shoot or a Christmas photo shoot) and your baby’s name or you can make one yourself using your baby’s handprint. The handprint ones are perfect for the first Christmas because that tiny handprint is something to be preserved forever. Plus, it’s still small enough for an ornament now. You can get a kit or you can use paint to put her print on a ceramic or clay ornament.
Take a photo of your baby with a little Santa hat
The opportunities for cuteness with little babies at Christmastime are endless. Take advantage of this time for some photo shoots. A little Santa hat, a reindeer antlers headband, elf ears, drop-seat plaid pajamas… don’t hold back on taking all the cute photos with props and outfits, because this is the year to do this before they grow too big.
Do a mistle”toes” craft
Instead of handprints, try footprints. Put baby’s feet into green paint and stamp their footprints on a piece of paper with the heels touching at the top. The toes will be hanging down and the footprints should look a little like a bunch of mistletoe. Add your own red-painted ribbon and words to show the intention. You can frame the paper and gift it to a grandparent or hang onto it as your own keepsake.
Cut a slice of the tree
If you buy a live Christmas tree, cut a round out of a thick branch before you dispose of it this year. You can turn this cutting into an ornament by saving this circle of your baby’s first Christmas tree. You can follow this DIY tutorial for a wood slice ornament made with Mod Podge and a family photo.
Start a book tradition
Start an annual tradition with a book like ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, ‘ which you read every Christmas Eve. You can write a little memory on the back page of the book every year, or have your child sign it every year to see how their writing improves. You could also buy a Christmas-specific baby book with pages to write your child’s Christmas list, who you spent the holiday with, and other memories of every year.
Write a letter
Typically, it’s the children who write letters around the holidays when they send their wish list to Santa, but a sweet way to commemorate your baby’s first Christmas is to write them a letter they can read when they’re older. You could even ask family members or friends to write something to your little one and include it.
You can write about the milestones they’ve achieved so far, how they’ve made the holiday so much more special, and anything else you’d like to include. You can even make a tradition of writing a letter each holiday season to give to your child when they’re older. Take a few special pictures and include them to make your own holiday time capsule.
It’s not all about the gifts
It’s easy to get caught up in gift buying and gift giving during the holiday season, especially with the excitement of having a new baby in the house. As hard as it may be, skipping the gifts for baby’s first Christmas is OK. The temptation for friends and family members to spoil a baby on their first Christmas is real, but also unnecessary.
Let’s face it, your baby isn’t going to remember any of their first Christmas anyway. If people really want to buy a gift for your baby, ask for practical items you need. The Royal Mint also notes that silver was always a common gift for newborns, and a silver coin was seen as good luck. Gifts that are practical or symbolic are always appreciated.
Whatever traditions you begin, or crafts you create, they’ll be treasured in your family for years to come. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make perfect memories — the messiness of little babies is part of the cuteness. And while your baby won’t remember, you will, and the keepsakes will last forever.
