First Christmas

[scoutfinch1]

Hi,

I'm looking for some ideas of how to make dd's first Christmas really special. She will be 5 months old so I know this is probably a bit silly as she won't remember or know what is going on but I think it will be nice to create lovely memories and maybe start some nice family traditions. I think one reason this is important to me is dh has to work on Xmas day and due to his profession will always have to but I want to make sure Xmas is still special for dd. might as well get the practice in when she is too little to know! So far the ideas I have are special Xmas eve pjs and a special Xmas bed time story and a nice personalised stocking. Any ideas would be really appreciated. Tia

We get DS a new Christmas tree decoration each year. Something special which he'll be able to keep when he's older and has a home and tree of his own.

Also for first Christmas we did dress him in the obligatory Santa outfit for cheesy but v v cute photos!

I also write Christmas letters. Stuff about the special things i love about them and anything special from the year. I describe what they're like and can do at that age and why it's all so special. TBH i do it as a just in case (bit morbid i know), but if for any reason I'm not there as they grow older i want them to know how very loved they were. I don't give them these letters but will when they're grown up.

I had the same ideas as you for dd's first xmas. Unfortunately I ended up with the norovirus in the early hours of Christmas Day for dd's first Xmas. There are 3 photos of me opening presents with her (4 months old at the time) and that's it. I have little memories of it, and DP ended up going with my step dad to hospital because a family friend of his had a stroke, so he doesn't remember it either. Poor dd lucklily didn't know what was going on and had both nan's there for lots of cuddles!

I wrote that Christmas off! Last years was much better and our tradition is to buy a book for dd, not a Christmas one, just age appropriate one and we write in it.

Suppose I'm trying to say don't get too hung up if it doesn't all go to plan as things can happen that are out of your control.

Oh thank you ,they are all lovely ideas. I really love the letter idea. I started doing that for dd whilst I was pregnant but must remember to do a special Xmas one. I hasn't thought of that, great idea

Fadbook that is such a shame, I hope you have a lovely one this year. I love the book idea too, the difficult part now is picking it!

Last years book was What the ladybird heard Julia Donaldson. She loves it.

You can't go wrong with JD's books.

Your dad may be too young to appreciate these, but this is what we are doing this year (ds will be 15 months)

Elf on the shelf, who will arrive in the wibbly household on the 1st Dec, with ds's advent calendar. Elf will then hide in a different place each day, and ds will have to find him.

Advent books, which was an idea I got from here. We have been buying books throughout the year, and putting them aside (not expensive ones, and some are 2nd hand so quite cheap) From the 1st Dec, these will go into a sack, and at bedtime, ds does a lucky dip for his bedtime story. The 24 Dec, we will be reading 'Twas the night before Christmas'

Another idea from here that I'm borrowing, is putting wrapping paper over the living room door. That way ds gets to burst through it on Christmas morning

Oh, and new pj's to unwrap on Christmas Eve as well....

I got DS a babys first christmas decoration last year, not a tacky thing a beautiful peice of engraved glass from john lewis I don't think he will give 2 hoots about it but I know I will : )

Love the bursting through wrapping paper - brilliant!

We also started one gift for charity - actually bought through Oxfam cards so far. Again, your 5 month old won't understand yet but you could make it something related to her likes (eg give a chicken) and then when she gets older she can choose which gift to give.

Thank you all for your suggestions I will be using them all although yes I think wibbly's awesome wrapping paper one and elf on the shelf will have to wait untill next year. Really like the charity idea, what a great way to teach kids about giving and Xmas spirt.

Just re read my post, and auto correct changed dd for dad . sorry about that...

You could also maybe save a gift which only gets opened once Daddy gets home from work (provided its a sensible time).

For my DS first christmas he brought Daddy a bottle of whiskey with a little letter saying how it has to be hidden away and opened on DS 18th birthday for the 2 of them to enjoy together. Not really a tradition but something special you can only do once.

Could you do a special day out as a family during December to buy a new decoration, have a yummy lunch, look at christmas lights etc

My DD was 4 months at christmas last year. We each had a stocking which was opened in bed. We also get a new ornament each year.

We also had a highchair that could be used from birth so she did 'eat' christmas lunch with us.

TBH she had far far too many presents - think it took us about 3 hours to open them by which time I was knackered.

This year she'll get it a little more so will do advert calendars and a visit from santa - i've read of an idea using glitter foot prints which could work well leading to a wrapped door!

Get a small stocking! Not all their presents have to go in it but when they get to wanting jewellery/gadgets/gift vouchers the larger ones are difficult to fill without looking and feeling mean. We do Santa footprints in talc around one of dh's wellies. We have a personalised plate with a reindeer made up of dd 1's foot for a face and dd2's hand prints fir antlers that we leave out mince pies and a carrot for santa's reindeer on. They were 2 and 3 when it was made but could have been done younger.