Share memories of your baby's first Christmas and tips for surviving the festive season with a newborn - £300 voucher prize draw! NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

As the festive season approaches and we all get a bit nostalgic about Christmases past, Nurofen for Children would love to know what you remember about your baby's first Christmas.

Did you do anything special to mark the occasion? Did having a baby change how you celebrated - or give you an excuse to rekindle some family traditions from your own childhood?

And if you were hosting visitors or travelling to see family and friends, how did you get organised with a newborn in tow? Was there mad mild panic as you tried to pull things together? Or did you hand over the festive stress to others so you could make the most of the special time?

However you spent it, we'd love you to share your fondest memory, and any advice you have for those looking forward to their baby's first Christmas this year.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

The new Mumsnet Baby Bundle app, sponsored by Nurofen for Children, provides parents with a handy toolkit for your child's first years. Information, advice, wisdom and wit are all close to hand - whenever and wherever you need it. Download the app now - tiny.mn/1kCoMoT

Thanks
MNHQ

I remember DH laying our 10 week old down on top of some fairy lights so they were right by his face - he loved them!

My eldest Granddaughters first Christmas was really memorable. She was 10.5 months and was fascinated by everything that was going on. It was round off by the fact she took her first steps on New Years Eve and I was recording her at the time

my father in law did his one and only ever nappy change & my son weed in his face, still laughing many years later

My son was nearly 1 on his 1st Christmas (he was born 10th Jan but was meant to come boxing day!) And he was teething and had an ear infection so he had some grizzly moments too. I'm looking forward to it more this year though. I Don't dwell on it though, I'm sure there will be many more memories which are happy times, make sure you enjoy it as they don't stay children forever! X

Oh gosh, our first christmas with our DS was painful but still delightful! He was 5 months old, had never slept more tan 3 hours due to reflux and I think we got a total of one hour sleep on Christmas Eve! Luckily we were at my parents so just zombied our way through with a gorgeous baby dressed as an elf! This year he'll be there and I'm so excited to see how excited he's going to be about Snata having been this year! It definitely makes Christmas special again having kids.

My little girl was about 9 months last Christmas and she had a great day! She didn't really understand what was going on but it was a really good day. We just took things nice and easy and she enjoyed playing with some of her new toys.

It was great fun with snow :)

DD1 was 8mo, we dressed her as an elf and she was brilliant all day. We had low expectations but she loved ripping the paper off stuff.

Last year was a disaster, she was terrified by the presents when she came downstairs and then got present opening fatigue at PIL. She also swiped all my smoked salmon at lunch

Invite loads of family & friends over as they will help look after the baby.

With a newborn I was quite disciplined with the festive drinks, I wanted to stay alert so only had 1 glass of fizz.

try and have a relaxing day :)

My baby's first Christmas was a bit of a daze for me as she was only 2 months old. Fortunately I was not hosting so I just had to show up, eat turkey and pass the baby round willing relatives!

Bubble wrap to be popped and plenty of twinkly lights. Xmas sorted.

My daughter was only 3 weeks old so it was fairly quiet as she just eat and slept.

Top tip for xmas is get the grandparents involved with the babysitting so you can relax!

My first darling daughter was 3 weeks old on her first Christmas... was brilliant to give her presents even though she laid in her Moses basket completely clueless...

I accepted all offers of help, that would be my best advice.

Wrapping my sons presents on Christmas eve only to open them myself on Christmas Day! As he was too young to open them

Chaotic, thankfully the family were close by to help! With young nieces and nephews too it was crazy, but at the end of the day we all mucked in and supported each other. Baby was just six months old. Lots of cuddles, naps and toys helped keep her entertained!

Just need to be prepared and organised!

first 2 christmasses were a bit pants!! my son was in hospital for his first 2, the third was extra special, tons of prezzies, visitors, food and parties!!

use the visitors try and keep to routine as much as possible and if you can escape to someone elses house to relieve the cooking stress and mess!

My daughter was 11 months for her first Christmas - she was very spoiled with lots of presents and attention from the family!

DD2 was just 6 months old on her first Christmas and usually such a happy baby but the photos of her bright red cheeks looking sad remind me she was teething and went to bed extra early giving us the chance to both play with DD1 and all her toys

my ds was 7 months when he had his first xmas so he was old enough to be interested in toys. I loved watching him play with them. My best tip for surviiving xmas with a new born is get someone else to cook - go over you parents or inlaws house. Plenty of hands to hold the baby so you can eat your meal with 2 hands!!!! lol

our DD was 4 months at her first Christmas, just watching her face looking at the lights was wonderful.

tip try to keep the routine as much as possible

My son was 6 months old when he had his first Christmas, we went to South Africa to see family, was a very easy Christmas as everyone wanted to spoil us as they hadn't seen us for 4 years.

This year will be a little different, a 3 year old, a 2 year old and a baby 3 due in 3 days time....eeeekkkk I better read this thread for tips.