A Christmas one already?

[willithappen]

Sorrry everyone!
But with the cost of living increasing I'm trying my best to be prepared in advance

My dd is currently 6 months old and will be 11 months on her first Christmas (early January birthday)
I'm not planning too much gifts since she really won't understand all too well, but she will obviously be at a stage where she can take things in. She'll be getting a party and then just money in her bank for her first birthday

I'm looking to make our first Christmas with her as special as we can so looking for lots of ideas to get started on
Thinking of a Christmas Eve box and so far have - family pjamas, Christmas book, maybe a soft toy? Watch a film together, some cookies etc to lay out for Santa - anything else that could go in? What sort of Christmas crafts can you do with a near 1 year old?

Any Christmas traditions/things to do on Christmas together? Or ideas for small presents for her?

Thank you so much in advance!

Keep traditions basic so you're not tied to 94 things every year and they don't become and chore for you (and your child/ren). Nobody wants to be jollying their thirteen year old along into the 9th 'but we always do this at Christmas' activity.

Go low key but thoughtful.

I think a box for December is better.
Basically we will put all the extra Christmas bits in there each year ie any Christmas books, teddies or similar they gather over the years. Bring out on December 1st to use all month in the lead up.
Then pack away again after Christmas and reuse next year.

Ours hasn’t much yet as Ds is only 2. But he has a few younger Christmas books and some Christmas puppets gifted. I will try and buy the classics like Christmas carrol etc when he is a bit older.
he was 18 months last Christmas, and wouldn’t have had a clue about leaving a carrot

When you decorate the tree, I'd also decorate a big box with fairy lights (child-safe ones) that she can crawl through and put it in front of the tree. We did this for our DC and it distracted them from trying to bring down the Christmas tree.

These are some fantastic suggestions thank you!
Will for sure make my way to the Christmas board

I do realise I'm probably expecting a bit more out of my 1 year old than is reasonable so the heads up there is great, will save me plenty stress and money with over complicating it

I think I'm possibly getting too caught up in the 'insta life' around Xmas and will pull my focus back to more meaningful moments with the family

And also aware the majority of what I plan for her will actually be for me 🙈 but I want the memories and to show her one day what her first Christmas was like :) (I love a photo haha)

Christmas board is amazing. And yes don't focus on the insta moments. No one is that interested in other people's xmas anyway

Driving/walking around looking at lights

Letting her choose a new bauble each year

Christmas Eve box is a lovely tradition if it's a few nice cosy family things - pjs, socks, hot choc, a film, a book.

This. So many people go way over the top, there is no need.

It might not be "for" the baby, and she won't remember what she did on Christmas 2022 but that doesn't mean she won't enjoy it in her own way, and it's still valuable to her growth and development. And there's nothing wrong with doing things for yourselves to help you to enjoy the time with your baby either.

@willithappen I had a DS about the same age last Christmas 😊
I second everyone else - it really is the little things that matter. Don’t get too caught up in the Instagram moments (I know that can be easier said than done when it’s your first - I was the same!)

The moments that we really loved as a family last Christmas were-

• Getting wrapped up cosy and walking round town looking at the lights - DS loved it!


• His felt Christmas tree!! I ordered one from Hobbycraft - I think it was about £6. Pinned it to the livingroom door down at floor and he was able to stand at it and Velcro on all the decorations. Have packed it away for this year 😊


• Decorating baubles. Hobbycraft do plain ceramic baubles for a pound or 2. DS “painted” one last year mainly with finger prints. Once it was dry I put the year on it then varnished it. I’m hoping he’ll do one each year 😊 We also decorated a few for family gifts.


• Singing and dancing to Christmas songs 😊 DH and I would usually have been doing that in the pub on the run up to Christmas. There was something so lovely about being cosy in our own house having the most ridiculous singing and dancing party with DS 😊 DS had no idea what was going on but giggled hysterically and it was one of our favourite moments 😊

As for gifts, we went for things that he could grown into and get lots of use out of such as a toy kitchen and trolley. He still plays with them daily. We also got a few Christmas story books 😊

@Tinybathroomideas thank you! Decorating baubles sounds adorable and will definitely get that in too. Sounds like a trip to hobbycraft nearer the time may be in order

Honestly this is as much about us as a family as it is about her first Christmas. She might not remember but I will and anything I can do to get enjoyment with my bubba I will

These craft ideas are exactly what I was thinking of but couldn't quite pin point what haha.

Mum of 4 small ones here and I love Xmas!! But…I think you want too much too soon!!
I know you’re excited but at 11 months you can still have a grown yo
couple type of Christmas..with your lovely baby hanging out in their buggy/on their mat etc next to you!
She’ll probably like the twinkly decorations and yes, a light show might be nice, but it’ll probably be past her bedtime!
She won’t know anything about Father Christmas and she won’t watch a film.

BUT your ideas about crafts and films and stuff will be AMAZING in 2 years time 🙂Save your energy!!!!

Don't force the traditions- they don't have to start at the beginning of her life. When she's older you'll naturally form traditions and find out what works for you all. Don't do any christmas 'experiences' just do a normal christmas and fit her into it, not the other way round.