Page 2 | What Christmas experiences would be good for a 10 month old?

jellybeanathome · 2023-09-07T20:39:23+00:00

DC will turn 10 months old in December and I'd love to book something magical in to start off the Christmas season in a lovely way... but I'm very aware that DC is young and some things might be a waste of money (we went to the Sea Life Centre a few weeks ago and, while it was nice, DC was definitely too young to justify the cost!) Any ideas of types of Christmas activity that would be suitable for a 10mo OR specific things within an hour or so from Birmingham? Cost doesn't matter (I'll just work out which things we can budget for).

olivehaters · 07/09/2023 22:06

I remember doing a Christmas themed sensory play session/ party with one of those baby franchises.
An extravagant Father Christmas experience is prob a waste but a cute local one is still nice for you and the photo. People will boohoo it on here but it is still nice to look back a laugh at the pic ( normally of child looking non plussed or horrified by Santa) and is a bit of a right of passage.

mathanxiety · 07/09/2023 22:08

Playing with boxes would be thrilling for someone that age.

LostMySocks · 07/09/2023 22:08

I have a lovely photo of DS1 aged 2months being held by the Santa at my work Christmas party. He doesn't remember it, but I love it and he likes to look at the picture and talk about it.
They definitely don't remember but the looking back is great fun as they get bigger. Just choose something you want to do so lights at Kew Gardens if you are in London or your local town centre light switch on. Lots of places have Christmas light installations..... perfect excuse... baby's first Christmas.
Obviously get yourself to Tesco/Sainsbury's etc and buy the first Christmas bib or Christmas pudding hat.

Gremlins101 · 07/09/2023 22:09

A stroll down the street to see the lights! Then home to a cuppa. Honestly don't waste your money OP. Enjoy a quiet time.

Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:09

HarrietJet · 07/09/2023 22:01

Whatever experience you end up doing will really not shape your child as a person, op 😂
The sheer hype in your post is ridiculous.

I think you've misunderstood my op. I'm not asking for over the top events - as you've seen from my reference to the sea life centre. as a first time parent, I'm trying to work out what a 10mo would enjoy. I'm not looking for photo ops and don’t really use social media, I just want Christmas time to feel lovely with my new baby. And we'll have to agree to disagree about the things we do when they're tiny influencing who they are - I don’t mean that one visit to Santa and she'll be a good human, I mean that the little things do matter over time. And I love her, so I want to do nice things to make her happy, even if it's just in the moment and there is no long term gain for her!

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Gremlins101 · 07/09/2023 22:11

I actually recall my sons first Christmas I played Christmas music on the tv non stop and played with his train set with him, as it was my first ever Christmas not working. That's made me nostalgic now. ❤️

Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:11

mathanxiety · 07/09/2023 22:08

Playing with boxes would be thrilling for someone that age.

😂😂 that's Boxing Day sorted then!

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Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:13

Mojodojocasahaus · 07/09/2023 22:03

Shape them as a person lol

Ugh! Are you just here to mock?

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Alstroemeria123 · 07/09/2023 22:14

Agree with the suggestion of a garden centre. If you wanted to do something that’s more of an event (and sleep patterns permit!) then something like a light trail might be good. I just googled “light trail Birmingham” and this popped up

https://luminate.live/birmingham-botanical-gardens

Or if you wanted to make a day of it then I don’t know if Blenheim Palace or Waddesdon Manor are within your distance criteria?

sezzer87 · 07/09/2023 22:14

Not sure if you have anything like this near you, but I always took my little ones to the local petting farm where they had Santa you could visit. Mine loved petting all the chicks and rabbits etc and seeing the reindeer and donkeys and meeting Santa of course.
I think a 10 month old is well old enough to appreciate a bit of magic, mine certainly Were!
We used to take them to the zoo from about 4 months old to see the animals and they loved it.

Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:15

Gremlins101 · 07/09/2023 22:09

A stroll down the street to see the lights! Then home to a cuppa. Honestly don't waste your money OP. Enjoy a quiet time.

This is a bit of a pattern in the answers so I think we'll just find a good street locally. We noticed that there were barely any lights on our estate last year.

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coverp · 07/09/2023 22:16

We did loads of things with DS at the same age. 2 different Christmas light trails (kew is lovely if you want to travel), a miniature steam train ride to see santa in his grotto, Christmas at a local play farm, as well as all the Christmas sessions at the baby classes we did (baby sensory was great for this and they brought in a photographer which was a cheap way to get lovely pictures). Another baby class organised a ceramics lady to come in and we made baubles with footprints on which we gave as presents to grandparents as well as keeping one for ourselves. They are real favourites that make us smile every year.

His next 2 Christmases were total write offs in terms of doing anything because of Covid so I'm really pleased we made all those memories in his first year. These experiences are often much cheaper when they are under 1, and you never know what's round the corner so I'd firmly ignore the "don't bother" crowd!

EdithGrantham · 07/09/2023 22:16

I've taken my 2yo to carol services the past two years, so she was 4mo at the first one and 16mo at the second one, she fell asleep both times but I love the memory of having her in the sling on me whilst I sang. I'm hoping she'll stay awake for one this year!

whereaw · 07/09/2023 22:16

@jellybeanathome i recommend getting a special notebook to write down any special memories, now and as she grows up (funny things she does, little phrases and first words, scary moments, things they like as they grow up etc). I do it (sporadically!) but I think less is more, a few entries a year (because- life!)

But a lovely man who had just become a grandfather suggested I did it as it was something he wished he had done. And my son is 6 and I looked back the other day and even now there are memories in there I had almost forgotten already.

Enjoy your first Christmas

Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:16

Alstroemeria123 · 07/09/2023 22:14

Agree with the suggestion of a garden centre. If you wanted to do something that’s more of an event (and sleep patterns permit!) then something like a light trail might be good. I just googled “light trail Birmingham” and this popped up

https://luminate.live/birmingham-botanical-gardens

Or if you wanted to make a day of it then I don’t know if Blenheim Palace or Waddesdon Manor are within your distance criteria?

I'd seen all of those but wasn't sure if they were a bit overkill for her age!! That's lovely thank you! 😊

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NuffSaidSam · 07/09/2023 22:17

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 21:58

I really hate when people say this. DC might not specifically remember that single occasion, but the things we do with them at this age will shape them as a person and bring enjoyment to the adults sharing those experiences with the babies. Unless you are suggesting we all just leave our babies lying down all day alone and with no interaction! I take your point that it doesn't have to be showy and expensive, but I didn't ask for showy and expensive experiences - I asked for experiences a 10mo might enjoy. Do you have anything useful to add to actually answer my question or are you just going to move along now?

Show quote history

PP is right.

One day, when you're through the PFB stage you'll look back and realise how ridiculous this sounds!

Of course you should do stuff to make your baby happy, but it's the same stuff that makes her happy every other day. She's not going to know it's Christmas. Sing carols/Christmas songs to her, show her the lights and the shiny baubles, make her a sensory box with tinsel etc.

Also, do any days out you want to do. It will make zero difference to her, just do the days out you like the sound of.

bluesky45 · 07/09/2023 22:18

A garden centre with lots of lights is nice for babies. We've got a couple near us that have dark sections and lots of Christmas lights on display. My 2 both loved it when they were babies. Plus, it's free.

Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:18

whereaw · 07/09/2023 22:16

@jellybeanathome i recommend getting a special notebook to write down any special memories, now and as she grows up (funny things she does, little phrases and first words, scary moments, things they like as they grow up etc). I do it (sporadically!) but I think less is more, a few entries a year (because- life!)

But a lovely man who had just become a grandfather suggested I did it as it was something he wished he had done. And my son is 6 and I looked back the other day and even now there are memories in there I had almost forgotten already.

Enjoy your first Christmas

This is a lovely idea. Thank you!

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Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:19

EdithGrantham · 07/09/2023 22:16

I've taken my 2yo to carol services the past two years, so she was 4mo at the first one and 16mo at the second one, she fell asleep both times but I love the memory of having her in the sling on me whilst I sang. I'm hoping she'll stay awake for one this year!

Oooh - this is a great idea. She loves it when I sing to her and we have a lovely carol service locally!

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NigelTheCrab · 07/09/2023 22:19

For both my DS’s first Christmas we did things like:

Christmas parties that were run by the baby groups we went to. Essentially the same as every other week, but with a Christmas theme and everyone in Christmas jumpers - I have really fond memories of these.

If baby isn’t walking, then in a sling for a dog walk round the neighbourhood to see all the Christmas lights.

Spending time with elderly relatives - who just love to see the children at that time of year. I have a very treasured photograph of 5 generations that was taken in the run up to Christmas. The eldest in the photo is no longer with us.

Creating our own ‘baby sensory’ at home. With fairy lights (obviously fully supervising baby with these and making sure they aren’t the type that get hot!), tinsel, baubles (plastic), fake mistletoe. And other festive bits and bobs.

Go to your local garden centre to look at the decs and get a bauble with baby’s name on to use year after year.

Original poster

jellybeanathome · 07/09/2023 22:20

coverp · 07/09/2023 22:16

We did loads of things with DS at the same age. 2 different Christmas light trails (kew is lovely if you want to travel), a miniature steam train ride to see santa in his grotto, Christmas at a local play farm, as well as all the Christmas sessions at the baby classes we did (baby sensory was great for this and they brought in a photographer which was a cheap way to get lovely pictures). Another baby class organised a ceramics lady to come in and we made baubles with footprints on which we gave as presents to grandparents as well as keeping one for ourselves. They are real favourites that make us smile every year.

His next 2 Christmases were total write offs in terms of doing anything because of Covid so I'm really pleased we made all those memories in his first year. These experiences are often much cheaper when they are under 1, and you never know what's round the corner so I'd firmly ignore the "don't bother" crowd!

I saw Kew and wondered if it was worth the travel but a few people have mentioned it now! Will look into it. 😊

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NigelTheCrab · 07/09/2023 22:21

Oh also. We didn’t bother to do visit Santa until my eldest was 3. On the basis of how much it cost and how much we thought he’d actually enjoy it.

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 07/09/2023 22:24

I seem to remember that scrunching up wrapping paper was a favourite activity at that age. Tinsel is great to play with but be aware that strands will reappear in nappies still sparkling.

And as a pp said, playing with the boxes is a classic favourite.

MiniBossFromAus · 07/09/2023 22:29

I get what you are asking OP.

Here are my suggestions:

National Trust do heaps - we did Dunham Massey last year, it was amazing. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/dunham-massey/christmas-lights-at-dunham-massey

The Elf Explorer was so much fun too - might be too far away but there are other places that do similar

https://elfexplorer.co.uk/the-experience/

This one has good options https://minitravellers.co.uk/top-10-places-to-visit-santa-in-the-west-midlands/

My advice is book soon or you won't get tickets.

I totally agree with you that Christmas is about a collective experience and that whilst little ones won't remember specifics, these experiences do form and shape the baby and the family unit.

Ignore the lump of coal in the stocking brigade and go full gangster magical.

Christmas at Dunham Massey │ Gr Manchester

Find out more about Christmas at Dunham Massey, the North-West's iconic illuminated winter light trail.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/dunham-massey/christmas-lights-at-dunham-massey

Buffysoldersister · 07/09/2023 22:33

The petting zoo suggestion is good. Near us there is a place that do a 'Christmas barn' with sheep, donkeys, reindeer etc which was lovely when dc was little. I would avoid a paid santa experience but at that age nurseries and playgroups often put one on for free so you can get the obligatory photo. And go to a garden centre (theme here!) and let her 'choose' a decoration so you have one for every Christmas as she grows up.