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Original poster

Christmas for a one year old -what did you do?

16 replies

muffles · 07/10/2002 07:33

Our dd will nearly be one at christmas and we want to make it special but wondered how other people celebrated with a one year old. Do they appreciate all the razamataz or does it go over their head? We will get her a few presents but would she rather have an empty box and wrapping paper,which she currently loves to play with? I know that ultimately she will be happy just being with her mummy and daddy but we're not too sure at exactly what level to pitch it without spending an absolute fortune and making our house look like santas grotto on a bad day!

OP posts:

GillW · 07/10/2002 09:10

Haven't actually "done" Christmas with DS yet, as he was ill for his first one and ended up in hospital. I'm not actually planning on getting him that much (he's got far too many toys anyway) but will probably put some money into his savings account and/or buy him some premium bonds, so that when he's a bit older he has some money for things that he wants.

The thing I really object to is the department store/shopping centre visits to Santa Claus - so we certainly won't be doing that (he wouldn't stand still ong enough for the queuing anyway). We will probably take him on one of the steam railway "Santa Specials" as a pre Christmas treat though.

SueW · 07/10/2002 09:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

ellasmum · 07/10/2002 09:42

I am having the same problem - DD will be 8 months and we will be visiting Australia - I have decided that she gets enough presents during the year and she won't know that Xmas Day is any different so am not really going to buy her much. I cannot face taking it over in our suitcase either.

To be honest I think she would be happy with so old newspaper to chew on!!

Batters · 07/10/2002 10:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoupDragon · 07/10/2002 10:42

My DS was completely overwhelmed on his 2nd Christmas, aged 22 months. He could only handle one present at a time & was completely freaked out by the huge sack he had on Christmas morning.

The year before, aged 10 months, he was completely clueless as to what was going on really. He just enjoyed the fuss and paper.

sobernow · 07/10/2002 11:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Azzie · 07/10/2002 12:07

Muffles, you're probably about right with the wrapping paper and boxes! However, at 13 months my dd did enjoy helping her big brother open the stockings full of little presents from Santa, although I don't think she had a clue why it was all happening - she liked some of the gifts, though. By 2 y.o. she had definitely got the idea of presents.

I'm really looking forward to Xmas this year - my two will be 5 and 3, and will both be really into Xmas and all the trimmings, but are still young enough that the value of a present won't be judged by how much it cost .

bundle · 07/10/2002 12:10

muffles, we spent our daughter's 'first' (well her first one she was 6 mths old! so didn't realise much was going on!) when she was 18 mths in a rented cottage which my parents came to as well. (so we didn't have a Christmas tree at home, made a big fuss of doing it all at the cottage with new lights etc). she loved being around everyone - that was her treat. and her favourite present: a set of boxes which fit inside each other with pictures of little bear on them/numbers etc - to build towers with. she still loves them.

ionesmum · 07/10/2002 15:54

Hello! i was going tp post exactly the same question, but had been trying to wait! I'd also like to ask for ideas on recording and remebering dd's first Christmas. Thanks!

Bozza · 08/10/2002 17:18

Bundle my DS managed to get two sets of those boxes for his first Christmas! One set has been left at Grandma's. Popular now but on the day his favourite thing was a sticky silver bow from a present.

DS was 10 months and not crawling but just about starting to furniture walk so that meant that we had all the usual Christmas decorations with no baby-proofing required. How different it will be this year with a 22 month old! Although I still don't expect him to twig much of what is going on.

Janeway · 08/10/2002 18:13

ds will be 10mnths at christmas, so I've no direct experience but my sister managed to scare her son on his first christmas - she decorated the place christmas eve night and when he came down the next morning his bottom lip quivered and then he let out a howl and hardly stopped till tea time - guess he didn't like the strange smells & sounds etc...
My niece's first Xmas was spent sitting happily in a box fill of wrapping paper eating a banana

bundle · 08/10/2002 18:26

oh Janeway, that's so sweet!

Lollypop · 08/10/2002 22:23

For the past 2 years we have spread Christmas out and had presents over a few days. Mind you DD was a typical child and preferred the paper & boxes to the toys.
Last her doll and pram were a total success she loves them.

glitterbabe · 08/10/2002 23:02

I can't wait for Christmas this year ds will be 2 on Christmas Day. Last year for his 1st birthday we had a few friends over for a mini disco complete with disco lights and tacky Spanish party music, it was brilliant. This year I've just booked up for the 28th Dec a hall with 2 bouncy castles, smaller one for the toddlers and a bigger one for ds brothers friends and not forgetting the dads. Dh is going to dress up as Father Christmas and hand out party bags & balloons. I will spread the birthday and Christmas presents over a few weeks. I find that they are much more appreciated in January.

Alley22 · 09/10/2002 11:54

Last year my ds (who was 1yrs old) was totally overwhelmed with the whole Christmas thing, he loved the lights and decorations, was a little unsure of santa! the best advice I can offer is open presents little and often.

For the last birthday and Xmas I didnt spend a great deal, bought one or two presents.

Make the most of the time they are not asking for things I have been told.. it wont be long before he is asking for that new bike.. playstation... cd player... trainers... basketball net...

i found that decorating with balloons and other decs and having all the family around has been as important to making their day.

My birthday is Christmas Eve so our Christmas's are always quite hectic! I am on my own with ds and love the hour or two we get together before I go to my parents for Christmas Day!

SueandBen · 09/10/2002 15:39

ooh I'm so excited now! ds was just 6 weeks old last christmas so I'm treating this like his first one.
I've got some great ideas off you guys so I'm going to buy just one or two pressies and then decorate with cards and tinsel and the tree and balloons etc, and wrap pressies up in boxes with big bows and tags so they are interesting to touch and everything....
I love this time of year!

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