Your Baby's First Christmas

Almost as sure to run emotions as high as baby's first birthday, is the discussion about baby's first Christmas. Whose parents? Should we stay at home? Should we just get away from it all? It is a veritable minefield of etiquette and relative's feelings just waiting to be hurt. Whatever you decide to do, don't be pressured into doing anything you don't feel like doing and likewise don't feel guilty about the decisions you have made.

Staying At Home?

If you have decided to stay at home, you'd be forgiven for wanting to enjoy the festivities as a family; just you and your baby. It will no doubt make life a whole lot easier in terms of keeping your baby's routine and minimising any disruption from the busy holiday period. If you're having family over to join you for Christmas, suggest a time for Christmas Dinner that will fit around your baby's routine. For example, it would be very handy to be able to do the majority of preparation and cooking while the baby's having her long lunchtime nap. If this isn't an option, then make sure you ask your guests to get involved! Help with peeling spuds and carrots, or babysitting while you get on with said spuds and carrots will be invaluable and ensure you can enjoy Christmas without having a nervous breakdown before the turkeys cooked!

Having My Baby's First Christmas Away From Home.

Considering the effort involved in taking your baby into town on a simple shopping trip - the hours of planning, the perfect timing and the enormous amount of equipment and supplies lugged onto your shoulders - the logistics of a Christmas away might seem too mind boggling to consider even attempting. Though celebrating Christmas away from home, whether it is with relatives or on holiday, will seldom be restful and will always be a challenge, it can be both feasible and enjoyable.

Time your trip - what hour of the day or night you begin your journey will depend on among other things, your baby's schedule and how he or she reacts to changes in it, your mode of travel, your destination and how long it will take to get there. Assuming a nap has been taken en route, the excitement and chaos of arrival will probably make it possible to keep baby awake a couple of hours past her usual bedtime (of course you will have to hope the motorways stay clear and trains and planes are running to time). Take a stash of snacks in case of any delays.

If your baby usually falls asleep in the car and you're planning a long distance car trip, try and do most of your driving when he or she would normally be asleep - during nap times or at night. Otherwise you might arrive at your destination with a baby that's slept all day and is ready to play all night. It might seem that getting to your destination as quickly as possible makes the most sense, but it doesn't always. For an active baby, breaking a long journey up with stops can help to let off steam in between legs rather than endure one (tortuous) nonstop journey.

What Presents Should I Buy My Baby?

Nothing is more wondrous to a young child than a home that's been decorated for Christmas. Perhaps except a visit from Father Christmas! However, babies and toddlers are still largely unaware of the concept of gifts at Christmas, quite happy with the wrapping and empty boxes rather than the expensive gifts. Don't feel that you need a tonne of gifts in order to make your baby's first Christmas a special one. Having fun, good food, family around and enjoying the festivities will all help make it a great first Christmas for your baby.