There’s something special about a baby’s first Christmas – or any big holiday dedicated to celebrating as a family – but it can get overwhelming very quickly. Family expectations can be stressful with a baby who doesn’t give two hall deckings about things like Aunt Christine’s traditional holiday photo.
Here are some tips to help you survive (and maybe even thrive) your baby’s first Christmas with family and friends.
1. Be realistic
Set realistic expectations and prioritize what is important to you and your family. There are many Christmases to come, so don’t feel like you have to be silly at first. Go easy on the traditions instead of completely tilting the first one.
2. Cut the Corners
I mean, this is my absolute favorite holiday hack for any parent, but I feel like it’s even more relevant when you have a baby. Order online, have things gift wrapped, order pre-addressed holiday cards, buy cookies, etc., or anything else that lightens the load during the season.
3. Baby-Safe Decorations
If your baby is mobile, use unbreakable ornaments and avoid small parts. Save the heavy sock hangers, windpipe-size ornaments, and broken family heirlooms for when your baby is older. (The ornaments my grandmother made didn’t come back until my kids were tweens because I knew I would be crushed if something happened to them.) Also, watch out for poisonous plants like mistletoe and holly.
4. Choose Relationships Carefully
Try not to book too many things back to back if you can, and try to keep things as flexible as possible so you can pull out the chute at the last minute – it’s easier to back out of a party if you haven’t committed to take your cousin there.
5. Children’s clothing
Use a baby carrier or sling to keep your hands free while attending holiday events or parties. It also reduces baby theft from people who you might not want to touch your baby and have dirty hands in their face.
6. Get a Beat
Pause and take a moment to savor holiday activities like listening to Christmas music or looking at Christmas lights. It’s something we often take for granted as adults, but it’s pretty cool your first time. For the record, it’s not the same as ‘enjoy every moment’. It’s more about appreciating the little things that mess with this new little person’s mind.
7. Take Pictures
Take lots of photos and videos of your baby’s first Christmas. They don’t have to be epic photoshoots, just document how it all went down. Here are some first Christmas photoshoot ideas that range from easy to inspirational. If you decide to take a picture with Santa, go early when your baby is at his best.
Helpful notes: Children often go from indifferent to Santa (under 1) to full of fear of a stranger at the mall (2-4’ish), to delight and then excitement about scoring a free toys (4+ ish). They reach important milestones of awareness during those years, and they change often, so don’t sweat it or force it.
8. Family Boundaries
Check in with family and friends to make sure they understand and respect your boundaries. That could be saying “no” to activities or events that don’t work for you, being firm about not kissing or holding a newborn during the height of RSV season, or shutting down the “back in my day” trash in a firm “I’m glad that worked for you” and then moving on.
9. Limit Gifts
It’s easy to go bananas in the gift-giving department but babies don’t need much, and frankly, they’re frustrating gift openers. (The box and the wrapping paper are often all the entertainment they need.) Ask for gifts they can outgrow and save for big gift years when they’re older and appreciate it more. Here are some gift ideas for babies under one that will stand the test of time.
10. Embrace the Season
Christmas can be a time of excitement and family extension, but it’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with your baby and reflect on the magic of your baby’s first Christmas. Just relax, get as much rest as you can, and enjoy the time with your new little family.
See also: 12 Meaningful Traditions That Start at Baby’s First Christmas
