Baby's first christmas

[Fredthefrog]

My daughter will be 11 months at Christmas and I'm not really sure what to do. She will be aware enough of somethings but won't understand it really. We usually split the day between our parents morning with one and dinner with the other but not sure that is a great option with a little person. What were your first christmas's with you children like? What did you do/ wish you hadn't done?

Baby will just do whatever you want. Same for the next few years so no special planning is needed.

I wish I hadn't spent so much money and put so much effort into making it a wonderful Christmas for the baby.....because the baby couldn't have cared less
Do whatever you want to do.

Baby won't remember it but I'd take the opportunity to make Christmas what you want it to be, ready for when she will remember. We used to visit family before the kids came along but decided once they did we wanted Christmas to be at home. Parents asked us to come for the first few years but we politely declined and now the girls are 6 and 3 they understand and have stopped asking. We visit family all over the Christmas period but from lunch time on Christmas Eve the doors are locked and it's just our time until Boxing Day, it's wonderful!

We did that for my sons first and second Xmas. First he was 6 months so it was fine as slept and it was very easy although the amount of stuff to load it the car plus very tiring. The second he fell asleep when diner was served in the lounge and someone decided to put Xmas music on and he woke up. We were guilted into going as mil was ill however she ended up in a hospice and my bil wife had her family there so hardly a small family event. Initially I just wanted to stay at my parents as feel more relaxed and comfortable.do whatever is comfortable x

I think it's nice to still go see family, means someone else can watch the baby for a bit 😂

My only advice would be don't bother wrapping everything because it's just disheartening when you have to unwrap it all yourself because the baby doesn't care. And as far as possible remove all the packaging from toys in advance.

Following with interest!
Our DD is going to be 6 months at Xmas and pre baby we always used to spend Xmas eve/morning with his parents and then Xmas lunch/evening with my parents.
Now we don't want to be away from our house really so I think our only option is to have Xmas morning to ourselves and then invite all the grandparents and great grandparents to ours for lunch.
That way everyone gets to see baby for her first Xmas but we get to have the morning to ourselves to enjoy it and relax

Haha I'm the opposite of you Harper - DS will be nearly six months at Christmas and while we've done either Christmas or Boxing Day lunch for the whole family for the last three years I was just thinking that I'm definitely not doing it this year - this year I'm up for being given some food that I don't have to make and sitting around eating chocolate while cuddling DS!

Do what feels right for you. DD was less than a month old for her first Christmas but I still did her a stocking and presents! We saw family for Christmas and Boxing Day and it was lovely, everyone made such a fuss. Did the same when she was one. I am utterly Christmas mad so I might be an exception, but my advice would be to think if you want to start any Christmas traditions. We let our DD choose a decoration for the tree (we chose for the first year, obvs) and try to get a photo of her with it. The first year we got one with her name and Mummy and Daddy written on it, I really treasure it. You can get some lovely handmade ones. Sure it's unnecessary expense, but I'm do glad we do it! It's nice to have something that's just for her and Daddy and me.

DD turned 1 on Boxing Day.

We stayed at home (so 2.5 hours from family) and enjoyed a nice relaxed day with (only 1!) proper turkey dinner.

(Backstory - DPs and DPILs live 20 mins from each other, 1 serves at lunch, the other at dinnertime, and even when it is all agreed in advance where we are "eating" that year, the other gives us "a taste" which is a loaded plate so it's always a 2 dinner year when we travel!)

We went in to the kitchen for breakfast first when we got up, and only then went in to the sitting room to turn on the lights on the tree. We had put a rug over the presents, so it was a complete surprise for DD. Who was very confused. But happy to explore the (little) pile.

We went to mass as normal after that, and visited the 3 sets of extended family that we always visited whenever we stayed "up" (i.e. in our own house) - cup of tea or soft drink (or glass of wine for non-driver in 1) and a mince pie in each. DD devoured anything she was given (lots of biscuits!).

Home, give DD some solid food. Get turkey in oven, light the fire, open presents together. Finish cooking, eat main course, get DD to bed. Relax over cheese and pudding. Go to bed, and prepare for the onslaught of visitors for her first birthday next day.

Things we did that have stuck were DD lighting the Christmas Candle on Christmas Eve (youngest in the house does it), and putting out her stocking.

She had already made cookies for crèche, and we made cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve afternoon. (We did a reasonable amount of baking together already - DD could stir together flour and baking powder in sieve, whisk eggs with a fork, and squish dough (no longer for human consumption bits) between her fists! But stood on her stool at the end of the worktop, wearing an apron, and being part of the action).

I bought a copy of "Twas the night before Christmas" and read it as a bedtime story that first Christmas Eve, and have done every year since (she asked for it last year, about to turn 12!).

New pjs for bedtime on Christmas Eve only happened the following year, but that is also an important part for us.

I agree the bauble is a nice idea, this is my plan (although I may have chosen this years myself because I wanted the Harry Potter one from Primark...). I thought then when she leaves home I could give her a box of all the decorations she's chosen to get started with her own tree.

We have always bought a new bauble so my mum's tree is covered with random decorations from our childhood. I definitely want to continue that tradition .
I understand not spending loads as she won't appreciate it but it is more about what might be nice to do with a baby. Making new traditions.
I also like the idea of the Christmas story on Christmas eve and cooking together. Thanks for all your tips