DOES YOUR BABY KNOW IT’S XMAS?
Of course not! I understand the meaningless of that query..but what do you do with a baby at Christmas? They wouldn’t be interested in any nativity plays, would probably scream throughout the holy Christmas carols and forget the Xmas shopping!!! Yes, first time parents with a baby in tow would find it hard to incorporate their new fledgling into the merry spirit of the season. In fact, babies, as everyone parent knows, rule the roost. They aren’t compassionate if your turkey needs basting, they want to be fed and rocked and crooned to sleep, Christmas, dear parents, will have to wait! But we don’t all have to have baby Grinches who spoil the season. In fact, here are some interesting things to do with your baby so you can make these fledgling years just as special.
Immortalise your baby’s first hand-print
There are many step by step processes on doing this with your newborn. In the future, where you have had many years of trending toys and other items, these extremely personal gifts or keepsakes will be extra special and priceless. It will also be great gifts for grandparents and other close relatives!
Personalising your ornaments
Take something personal of your baby at that time, it may be a lock of hair, a baby picture, the baby’s height and weight and place it in a clear bauble. This would be a treasured Christmas ornament that can be valued for years to come. One thing certain in this parenting journey is that however you find tedious the individual days, as a whole, it goes too fast. One minute they are babies, the next, grown teenagers ready to flee the nest. These personal little keepsakes will be your soothing salvation in years to come.
Keeping a piece of that tree!
This is a great tradition to do if you have gotten a real tree into the house. Before you discard it, cut a slice of its base, paint and mark with the baby’s first Xmas. It will be a memorable Christmas décor to hang in the years to come. This is also a great little exercise to do with other older siblings or neicies or nephews and a fun tradition can be created in the family.
Snap that family picture
It goes without saying that an annual family picture will be a long lasting memory. In the busy-ness of the season, we sometimes forget to get that great shot! It might be not studio perfect, the baby would probably cry at the opportune time, you might not look your best in your hurried state and the other children would never pose when asked to! But persevere every year, for funny or quirky, this picture will be priceless! I know as most parents, you feel quite anxious during this time of the year. With the break in routine trying to enjoy the festivities, it can be quite tedious and not as joyous as you would like it to be! Now that my children are a little older, I do look at all the treasured memories I have from their first little Christmases, from the laughable family photos to their precious Christmas décor that we still hang on the tree. This is what this season is about, family, love and togetherness. Don’t forget activities just because the logistics of trying to put it together.