When it’s your baby’s first Christmas, parents can go over the top with presents and outfits to create an idealistic festive season. The truth is, baby doesn’t know what’s day it is, nevermind why Daddy is dressed in a red suit and beard with a pillow stuffed up his jacket. You can create lovely family memories without going to extreme measures this Christmas. Here’s how to do it.

1. Family Christmas cards
2. Gifts for baby
3. Gifts for family members
4. Brothers and sisters
5. Photo opportunites
6. What to wear
7. Bed time story
8. Baby’s first bauble
9. Start a family tradition
10. Create an album

Family Christmas cards

A great way to start the Christmas festivities in your household is to start the Christmas card list. As it’s your baby’s first Christmas, why not send out a family photo card to your relatives and friends? This could be a family shot, a shot of your children playing out in the snow (weather dependent!) or a shot of the new arrival sitting in a box wrapped as a present. Be as creative as you like and either send the image away to be made into cards or do it yourself with a printer. For family really far away, why not create a family Christmas email with the picture at the top.

Gifts for baby

Babies are easy to spoil rotten, especially at Christmas time. Try to resist the temptation and just buy two or three gifts baby will really enjoy. As your relatives are likely to bring an abundance of all things fluffy for your little one, try to buy some toys to really help with development.

Gifts for family members

If you’re struggling to think of presents for uncles, aunties or cousins you haven’t seen in a while, why not create some personalised keyrings, mugs or fridge magnets with a Christmassy shot of the little one on them? An inexpensive and thoughtful gift, especially if they haven’t yet had the chance to meet your baby.

Brothers and sisters

For older children, Christmas is the best day in the whole year. Having a new arrival might have them feeling a little left out this year as friends and family will be making a fuss over baby. Try to involve them as much as possible and ask them to help their little brother or sister when opening gifts. They’ll feel involved in the festive season and proud to have the responsibility of looking after and helping baby.

Photo opportunites

The best and easiest way to create memories of your baby’s first Christmas is through photographs and, even better, home made movies of the events of the day. Nothing beats a video of baby’s face when they see all those presents sitting under the glistening Christmas tree. Or the reaction to the first sight of snow.

Take plenty of shots of baby exploring the tree, presents, and with all your relatives for a great keep sake. Though try not to be too disheartened when the only photos of baby opening presents you have are of him eating the wrapping paper.

What to wear

Festive baby gros or Christmas pudding hats are an especially cute touch to add to your day. Who can resist a tiny Santa romper with hat and boots included? These make for a great Christmas photo and baby will enjoy the attention they will no doubt attract!

Bed time story

A christmas story before bed on Christmas Eve is a great start to the celebrations. Whether baby understands or not, it’s a nice touch. To make the story even more personal, you can buy a book online and have the name of your child inserted. This same story can be read every Christmas Eve just before bedtime, your little one will love it!

Baby’s first bauble

This festivity is a very common symbol of baby’s first Christmas. You can buy a ‘baby’s first Christmas’ bauble in hundreds of designs from various shops and websites or, alternatively, make one yourself. Buy a clear bauble from a craft shop and some paints. Place baby’s hand in the paint then hold them onto the bauble. Carefully using pen, write a message on the decoration to commemorate the event. This bauble can be stored away and hung back on the tree every Christmas.

Start a family tradition

Whether it’s singing a Christmas carol before bed, setting out a mince pie for Santa or Dad lifting the little one up to put the star or angel on the top of the tree, every family has its own traditions. Start yours on baby’s first Christmas and continue it on year after year. Even if it’s just buying everyone a new festive set of pyjamas to wear to bed on Christmas Eve, it’s something that can be carried down when your children have children.

Create an album

After the festivities are over and the tree is packed away for another year, it’s time to sort out the 500 Kodak moments you just couldn’t miss. Buy an album and decorate it with Christmas themed stickers. Fill it with all the memories of the day. Include any scrap ideas you have such as a piece of wrapping paper from baby’s first gift or a Christmas card to baby to make it extra special.
For more information on this author see my profile here +Ali McHugh
Photography: Quan Ha @Flickr

Where to now?

Baby Gift Guide