As the winter holidays approach, I realize it’s time to start thinking about how to celebrate Christmas with our little one. With less than two months to go, I might need the entire month of November to get everything ready! As a new parent, I find myself in unfamiliar territory, especially since my baby is too young to remember these moments. This year feels like a perfect opportunity to craft new traditions and experiences. If something doesn’t work out or we decide to change things in the future, our little one won’t even know!
Gift Giving
Unlike my husband and I, who don’t exchange gifts with each other, we definitely plan to give our child presents. But the question remains: how many gifts should we give? Is it about the quantity or the budget? Growing up, I experienced extravagant Christmases, with “Santa” bringing large items and my parents showering us with gifts. Each set of grandparents also contributed, and there were name exchanges among cousins. The abundance of gifts certainly added to the magic of the season, but I’m not sure I want to replicate that for my child.
I’ve read about a simpler approach that resonates with me: giving four gifts to each child—something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. As a book lover, I’m particularly fond of the idea of gifting a book. It’s a perfect way to ignite a love for reading early on!
Family Time
In our marriage, we established a routine of alternating Christmas celebrations with each family. Since our families live just 90 minutes apart, we prefer not to split our time on the same day. This approach has worked well for us, and I hope it continues now that we have a child. Thankfully, both sets of grandparents are flexible about seeing us around the holidays, so we can celebrate at our convenience, even if it’s not on December 25th.
Traditions
As a child, decorating for Christmas was a cherished family event. After Thanksgiving, my mom would declare it was time to bring out the holiday decorations. We’d haul up boxes filled with wreaths, lights, ornaments, stockings, and even our nativity scene. Those little rituals made the season feel magical, and I can’t wait to create similar moments for my child.
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In summary, as we approach our baby’s first Christmas, it’s a time for reflection on how we want to celebrate. From the gifts we give to the family traditions we establish, this holiday season is an opportunity to create lasting memories.
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