Baby's first Christmas

[DeadDoorpost]

So I'm due middle of November and I've been adamant that we won't get him anything for Christmas this year as he won't remember it and he's going to be getting a ton of stuff when he's born anyway. I can pretty much guarantee he'll get a Christmas outfit from my Christmas crazy parents and probably something from one of my sisters, but I'm starting to wonder if we should get him something? Or do I stick with my original plan and wait til next year when he'll be more aware of it?

My DD was born in mid November last year and we got her a taggy lion and blanket set in the mothercare sale for around a tenner. DH wanted to give her something small but like you I felt that she wouldn't remember it so there was no point! I'm glad that we did now as she loves the lion!

Op ask yourself, why would you be getting something?

To see the excitement and joy on your 5 week old face?

If the answer is no, then don't bother.

@Holidayhooray I think it's partly because I've always bought family presents so feel like I need to. DH will probably talk me out of it if I'm still unsure as I'm determined to have all the presents sorted before baby comes this year. I think it's just last minute pregnancy unsureties kicking in now.

mother I would normally maybe go for something like that but parents have bought one already. I still have my bear from when I was 1 so I know how attached children can be.

Why not just a cheap teddy so it's something but doesn't cost much?

I'm due the beginning of November, but will have my two step kids for Xmas morning for the very first time.

What we're doing is wrapping things that we would have bought / had anyway... like a playmat, next size up clothes, nappies (because santa brings you things you need as well as the things you'd like don't you know) etc

Er why would you not buy something if it gives you or your DH pleasure? I would either buy something silly like an elf babygro that I would then tuck in my memory box or I would buy something special like a grown up piece of jewellery that I would just keep. This is what I do for my DD who is now 5... she'll be getting it all when she's 18.

Hmmm terribly written. Obviously I will keep the jewellery for DD and not just keep it

What about a stocking for next year and an soft ornament for the tree?

I would buy a toy box. It is something that will last, you can point to it years later if they ask what you gave them. AND it is somewhere to put all the toys that everybody else gets your baby.

SpiritedLondon DH doesn't think it will matter and I've felt more the same. My parents will be buying him a Christmas babygro no doubts about it (major Christmas lovers, like, they're so excited to be Mr and Mrs Claus for the next 10 years at least) but I do like the idea of getting him an ornament of some kind as Ilikedogs suggested. My parents built up a collection for me so it would be a good tradition to continue.

Thank you for the comment everyone it's given me some ideas, even for the future.

You are going to end up buying toys between his birth and first birthday why not just pick a few things and give them from Santa. Even if it's just so you can take some photos?

Mine was born on Christmas Eve but having an older child I wanted to avoid "why did Santa not bring baby anything?" He ended up with socks and dummies in his stocking. Cuddly toy and play gym under the tree.

I'm assuming this is your first child? Friends with two children said they felt they had to buy the second baby something (he would have a been a similar age his first Christmas) to show the elder child that they valued the baby just as much - otherwise the almost 4yo would have thought that their parents loved them more or similar.

We had an even younger newborn for her first Christmas - we didn't buy her anything (given how complicated my pregnancy got, it was the least of our worries. We were just pleased we managed to get a car seat before I was admitted to hospital).

My dd was three weeks old for her first Christmas, I have no idea if I bought her anything, possibly a soft toy? I wouldn't worry too much, bearing in mind that he won't remember a thing and will probably sleep through most of the day. Maybe just buy a small toy and a cute outfit.

Our respective families went completely over the top and bought her loads of toys and clothes. As I was on maternity leave, it was nice not to worry about overspending, and be able to save a bit more for when my pay went down to statutory level the following April.

This year dd will be 3, and it's probably the first Christmas she'll really understand, babies and toddlers are pretty oblivious to it all really, as long as there's an empty box and some wrapping paper to play with they're happy.