It's so exciting to celebrate baby's first Christmas! Even though your little one isn't old enough to remember the day, Mom and Dad will savor the memories for a lifetime. These tips will help you make the most of the holidays with your little one.
1. Take photos -- lots of them. From photos with Santa to fun holiday family pictures and candid photos of your little one, make this a holiday to remember. Check out this photo guide to baby's first Christmas from Katlin Dodgion Photography for lots of photo ideas. Check our Visit with Santa Guide to find Santa photo ops during the holidays.
2. Protect the tree -- and baby -- from mishaps. Use a tabletop tree or let baby explore safely while the tree is safe behind a baby fence or in a pack and play. New mom Karen P shared the cover photo of her beautifully decorated Christmas tree, safely protected from Baby V, who is very curious and on the move. As you can see in the photo, Christmas lights and bows make the baby fence very decorative too.
3. Share the memories with baby's grandparents with Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments featuring baby's little hand. Make one for your tree, one to save for baby, and one for each set of grandparents.
4. Simplify. You don't need to run here and there while trying to enjoy your little one's first magical Christmas. Stay home and invite family to come share some time with you instead. Ask each person or family to bring a food dish to share and enlist help with set-up and clean-up.
5. Pick up a pair of holiday jammies or a special outfit for baby. Add in a cute baby's first Christmas bib or Santa hat too. You'll thank yourself when you look back years from now.
6. Shop less and spend more time together. Stay at home together, enjoy one of the many holiday virtual events, or check our December Holiday Events Guide for lots of local fun.
7. Cherish childhood memories and create new traditions and memories with your family. Check out these 12 Christmas Traditions for ideas.
8. Take a driving Christmas light tour around town. From Bedford's display at English Meadows Elks Campus to neighborhood light displays, there's a lot of choices. Check out Lynchburg Macaroni Kid's 2029 Guide to Holiday Light Displays to help you find the best places to find the lights.
9. Watch an old favorite holiday movie you enjoyed as a kid or find a new favorite with our listing of 18 Classic Christmas Movies to Watch at Home.
10. Make cookies together. You'll have to help baby a little, but the memories are priceless. Here are four of our family's favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes.
11. Start young teaching your little one to help others. Reach out to these local organizations with some holiday cheer.
12. Scale back on holiday spending by using The Rule of 4 and give your little one something they want (or something you want them to have), something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
Looking for family-friendly events? Check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events for all of the area's best family activities and events. Find out first with a FREE subscription to the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid weekly newsletter. Our newsletter publishes every Thursday morning so you can plan your weekend. Just CLICK HERE to subscribe and let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® in every season!
Happy Holidays and enjoy making Christmas memories with your little one!
