25 Days of Baby's First Christmas!

None of us can wait until we can teach our little ones the traditions of Christmas, the reason for the season, the story of Jesus and the love of Christ, the importance of giving and spending time with family, and all about Santa and his reindeer, but your 0-1 year old can't quite understand any of this. So, what do you do for baby's first Christmas to make it just as special?

We've struggled with this idea for a few months now since we will be bringing home Anna's baby brother just a few days before Christmas but still want to make it just as special for her as if it was just her and all about her.

We've decided that the best bet is to use this first year to start laying a foundation for all of the magical holiday seasons to come. Here are a few ideas to inspire you and that I plan to do with our little Anna this year:

1. Watch your favorite Christmas movies together, especially the ones with the most colors and sounds: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," etc.
2. Give baby a Christmas heirloom this year, such as a stocking, blanket, Christmas stuffed animal or toy they get to play with around this time of year (we already do that with little Mot-Mot's Christmas doggie toys, haha!), etc.
3. Make Christmas art. If baby is old enough, give him/her red and green crayons to "draw" with (with your supervision, of course). Invest in some super-sized crayons to make coloring easier for baby and toddler fingers, or feel free to make your own!
• You can also make a Christmas Color Swirl Bag: You'll need a Ziploc plastic bag, red and green Jell-O (already made) or pudding (already made or from a can) with red and green food coloring, and heavy tape (optional); Fill the plastic bag with the Jell-O or pudding, zip it shut, and for extra security, fold down the top about an inch and tape it down. Feel free to add glitter and/or red and green paper shreds, as well. Together you and baby can press and squeeze the bag and watch the colors mix and swirl. This activity helps your child develop finger dexterity.
4. Start a tradition of letting baby have his/her "own" Christmas decoration, such as getting them a tree for their own room. You will obviously have to decorate it this year, but soon enough, they will be able to do it all on their own. As they get older, think about adding drawings and art from school as decorations, as well. 
5. Decorate the Christmas tree together. Let baby hang a few (non-breakable) ornaments, and start mentally preparing yourself for not having them all perfectly-spaced (my OCD self will have to work on that this year). Let them feel the branches, smell the tree, and see the decorations sparkle. They will be adorably mesmerized!
6. Sing Christmas carols. Of course, they can't sing with you yet, but make sure the radio's on the Christmas station, sing your favorite Christmas songs to him/her, and dance along to the tunes together.
7. Meet Santa! ...Even if baby has stranger anxiety (which will be our case). Yes, be that cliche that stands in line at the mall. Where we live, we actually have a huge Christmas lights display that covers acres of land, and they have a Santa there that Anna will probably end up getting her picture with. I can't wait!
8. Wrap presents with baby. ...Might as well enjoy this one now since they don't know you're wrapping their own presents. Plus, they will have a blast! It might be the biggest mess you've ever made, but it's worth the smile on their face! Let them crumble the paper. Practice shaking the boxes to see what's inside. Let them feel the ribbon (maybe get some tulle ribbon, if you're good at bow-making, because they will love the texture!). 
9. Practice saying, "thank you." This is something that should be done all the time, but especially at Christmas. It reinforces an early sense of thanks and gratitude when they receive a present. 
10. Identify the shapes and colors of ornaments. Hold baby in front of the tree and point to the ornaments as you say their color or shape. Anytime you can integrate learning and fun, do it!
11. Have a Polar Express day: Stay in your pajamas all day, read the book, and watch the movie together. Give him/her a taste of hot chocolate (if they're old enough).
12. Have a "Christmas Smell Party:" Pull out a bunch of different items that have "Christmasy" smells (peppermints, cookies, holly, holiday candles, pine branches, etc.) and let baby smell and explore them, with your supervision.
13. If they are eating solid foods, make sure they get a taste of Christmas along with the rest of the family! Cut up and/or puree all the traditional foods that you usually eat for Christmas. They will love all the new tastes and smells!
14. Take them to look at Christmas lights at night, outside and inside the car, if you have the option. 
• Also, along with the Christmas tree, go all out on the Christmas decorations in the house! They will love being in a house full of holiday lights and sparkle.
15. Read Christmas books together: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol, etc.
16. Make a box for Operation Christmas Child with baby. They obviously don't know what you're doing yet, but start the foundation for giving now. Talk to them about what you're doing and why you're doing it while you're doing it together. 
17. Cook your favorite holiday recipes together. Let them help and taste test. Put them in their high chair close to you or let them do their own cooking with a few pots and spoons on the kitchen floor.
18. Make a Christmas ornament together. Here's an example of one I'm thinking of doing with Anna this year; you can do a Santa or just put their hand/footprint, name, and the year. This is such a wonderful tradition to start!
19. Practice fun holiday words, such as "Ho, ho, ho." Don't expect them to get it right away or even this year, but it's good practice for these little talkers-in-progress, and you'll definitely get a smile!
20. Talk about who you're giving presents to when you buy them and when you're wrapping them. For example, if you're buying a present for grandma, tell baby how much you love her and why you want to give that particular present to her.
21. Go for a winter walk, and use it as a learning opportunity: When you put his/her mittens on, talk about them going on your hands. When you put his/her hat on, talk about it going on your head. Socks/boots go on his/her feet, etc. Help baby start to identify the parts of his/her body, and feel free to do this one all winter long!
22. Make sure to capture baby's first Christmas on film and add it to your baby photo book, or feel free to do one especially for their first Christmas (not just the day, but the whole month!). Take pictures of their first tree, their visit with Santa, their Christmas clothes, all the smiles they have, the decorations they love, and the activities they enjoy. I love using Mixbook!
23. Make sure to read the true story of Christmas with baby. Not Santa - the real story. The earlier the better, in my opinion.
24. Start your Christmas Eve tradition with a "Christmas Eve" box, full of new Christmas pajamas, Christmas socks, popcorn, Christmas mugs, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and a Christmas book. Spend the evening together and cuddled up.
25. Bake Christmas cookies together and make sure to leave out some, along with milk, for Santa.

And most importantly, remember that they only get one first Christmas. It will be special, no matter what, so don't forget to just enjoy it with them!

Also, feel free to check out Parents.com's Tips for Baby's First Christmas. Make your first holiday season as a Mommy as memorable, yet as stress free as possible!