The Ultimate Guide to Baby’s First Christmas

First holidays are always fun when you have a new baby – from smaller holidays, like St. Patrick’s Day to the big kahuna, Christmas, few moms would pass on a chance to dress up their babies festively and take lots of pictures. With Christmas, we have the added layers of pure nostalgia and the fact that it’s literally a holiday for kids, and the draw is undeniable.

So how do you make that first Christmas memorable? Well, lucky for you, I’ve put together what I’m calling the ULTIMATE guide to baby’s first Christmas – everything you need to ensure a memorable and heart-warming first holiday with your little one. Below you’ll find things you must do, photos you must take, and even my take on gifts for the first Christmas.

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MUST DO:

Start a tradition. (Or continue one) Won’t it be cool to be able to tell your kiddo that you’ve been doing XYZ since they were a baby? Continue a tradition you really loved as a kid or start a new one! A big one for me is making snowman pancakes on Christmas morning, something we always did as kids.

Read a book. We all know I’m a big fan or reading to kids, especially around the cozy months. Pick a few favorite holiday books and read them to your baby throughout December. They may become yearly favorites! I love I Love You, Stink Face books.

Visit Santa. Yes, your kid might cry. Yes, the lines might be long. But you will so regret it if you don’t. Ryan’s first picture with Santa is my favorite ever, and I cannot even wait to do it with Owen. TIP: if you think your kiddo might cry, try sitting with them, and don’t push it past a photo por two if they look upset. The photo doesn’t have to be perfect! Also, try going at the least buy times – babies + lines = bad. We usually go on a weekday before lunch, but a weekend morning right when they open would probably work as well!

Buy an Ornament. When we were kids, my brother and I would seek out our ‘babies first Christmas’ ornaments and put them on happily – make sure you find one you love for your kiddos. Bonus points if you find one that won’t break! (This adorable Rudolph one by Lenox is metal!)

Make a handprint. I’ve used this kit a few years in a row and really love it. I don’t suggest using a paint one since babies+paint hand prints never work out well (for me at lease) but you’ll love seeing the different sized feet or hands each year when you pull ornaments out.

Christmas outfit. There is nothing cuter than a baby in a cute little Christmas outfit announcing their first Christmas. I’m lucky that Owen and Ryan are about the same size, so we can reuse all of his old Christmas stuff, but I would totally go for this, this or this!

Christmas jammies. Yes, they’ll only wear them for a month (of more, if you’re like me and don’t care) but they are so worth it. If you have older kids, get matching jammies because oh, is there anything cuter? I have ones similar to these that we got as a gift for Ryan’s first Christmas, but I love me some Carter’s jams.

Make a stocking.  Or invest in a nice one to last through the years. I’ve never actually done that, but I do love going the glitter and glue route each year and then just toss the cheap-y stockings since storage is non-existent at our house.  I think it will be super fun when the boys are older and they can decorate their own stockings. Here’s a super cute baby’s first Christmas one I’m loving!

Christmas Card. I never did a Christmas cards until we had Ryan, but now picking them out is one of my favorite tasks each year. I love tinyprints and they always have good deals this time fo year. Here’s  the style we’re using this year! Make sure you get enough so that you can save one for yourself!

 

MUST TAKE PHOTOS:

Every momma loves a good holiday photo – make sure you get all of these of your baby for the baby book!

Santa’s lap.
Under/near the tree.
Christmas outfit pajamas.
Christmas morning
Finding a tree
Opening a gift
In a Santa hat

GIFTS:

I’m in the minority here, I’m sure, but I don’t believe that babies need a ton for their first Christmas. First Christmases are for the parents, so there’s really no need to fill up the tree and stocking and buy out Babies R Us, since they have no idea what’s going on.
That being said: I do believe that one or two special gifts is a nice idea, especially if you have older kiddos who might ask why Santa didn’t drop off a gift for the baby. Another option is buying something they might need in the near future – a convertible car seat, a jumper, a walker, whatever. These are also great gift ideas for family who inevitably will be asking what to get the baby.

 

Okay so tell me – what am I missing? What traditions did you start when your kids were babies? What gifts do you get babies? Let me know in the comments!

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