How to celebrate baby's first Christmas

One day blurs into another in an endless rotation of family and friends, there’s no reason to take off your pyjamas and you’ve eaten nothing but leftovers for days.  

In some ways, the first weeks with a new baby mirror the intense highs and lows of the festive season.  

If you’re a new parent who wants to celebrate the season, without straying too far from your new routine, you’ve come to the right place.  

We’ve put together a guide to make their first Christmas feel special. Whether it’s taking the stress out of socialising, starting your own traditions or baby-proofing the Christmas tree, we’ve got you.  

How to celebrate baby's first Christmas

Navigating the festive season with a new baby doesn’t have to be stressful. We’ve put together some tips to take the stress out of season (after all, if you’ve got a newborn at Christmas, you’ve got twice the reason to celebrate). 

• Keep it close to home: Most new parents barely have the energy to hang a bauble, never mind host the holidays! A new baby is the perfect excuse to postpone the party and take things a little slower with your new family.  
• Dine, then dash:  Hang up your hosting gloves, it’s your year to sit back and let someone else cook Christmas dinner.
• Quality time: Your baby can enjoy some mashed sweet potato or pureed carrots at the dinner table with everyone else. They may only manage a mouthful, but they’ll love being involved.  
• Practical presents: Don’t worry about spending a fortune on Christmas gifts for them, you'll have plenty of time to spoil them once they’re old enough to remember it!  
• Babyproofing: Deck the halls (walls, floors, and tree) with newborn-friendly decorations for their safety, and your peace of mind. Stick to soft, plush ornaments anywhere they can reach (particularly if they’re starting to crawl). 
• Stick to their routine: New parents have enough on their plates, without worrying about going ‘all-out’ for the holidays. The nappy changes, feeds and nap times won’t wait, but the rest can.  

Don’t forget, although this is your baby’s first Christmas, it’s also your first Christmas as a parent. However you’re feeling is ok!  

Let’s look at a couple of easy ways you can involve your newborn in the festivities.  

• Capture the moment: The festive period is the perfect excuse to take lots of pictures (as if you needed one). Grab some props and get creative - the cheesier, the better! Why not take that sleeping baby in a stocking shot? Or go all out with a family in matching pj’s photo – your next Christmas card is just a flash away!  
• DIY decorations: If you’re creative, you might want to get crafty! Cards adorned with their handprints are a classic but you can add their photos to snow globe baubles, even try knitting them a festive blanket! The only limit is your imagination (and the contents of your local craft shop). 
• Baby’s firsts: From the big things like their first Christmas day, to little bits like their first stocking and their first Christmas carol, making the most of each milestone really brings the festive spirit. You’ll remember it, even if they don’t.
• Seasonal sensory play: Fairy lights always look festive, and your baby will love them. An easy way to involve them in the holiday (and make your home feel even cosier).
• Crack out the matching pj’s: It's almost compulsory to take a photo of the whole family bedecked in a sea of tartan! 

Christmas activities to do with a newborn

We've picked some of our favourite activities to do with a newborn on Christmas Day (and beyond). 

• Winter walks: Bundle up, pop your baby in the pram, and enjoy a walk through your local park. The fresh air will do you all good, and your baby will be memorised by all the twinkling lights. 
• Time-well spent: Christmas isn’t about the things, it’s about the moments. Snuggling on the sofa with a cheesy Christmas movie playing in the background, singing (or humming) carols while bouncing your baby, or simply enjoying a hot chocolate while they nap, are all beautiful ways to make memories. 
• Seasonal stories: Start the tradition of reading a Christmas story to your baby. Classics like The Night Before Christmas or Stick Man will create cosy moments with a sense of magic. And as your baby grows, they’ll look forward to picking the story themselves. 
• Give back: Start a tradition of giving back by supporting a local charity or donating baby items to those in need. Even though your baby won’t understand now, you’ll set the tone for future family Christmases.