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The holidays are fast approaching and while you may be scouring Pinterest for ideas on how to make your baby’s first holiday season special, it’s important to not get overwhelmed. As a new mom, you’re probably still trying to adjust to the many changes that come with having a new baby in the home. Let this be the year that you finally embrace simplicity. Here are 9 ideas to help make the most of baby’s first holiday without stressing yourself out.
Fun ideas to commemorate baby's first holiday
1. Celebrate baby’s first holiday with a seasonal ornament gift
Baby’s first holiday is a special time for the whole family. A great way to commemorate the milestone is with a baby holiday gift for grandparents or other family members. “Having a memento of a baby’s first holiday season is so special,” Kendra Darr told Mom.com. “A personalized baby’s first ornament was a must-have on our list, as were photos with Santa in a special outfit. These personalized baby’s first ornaments look great on the tree and make great gifts for grandparents as well.”
2. Start a new holiday family tradition
A new baby in the house during the holidays may be the perfect time to start a new tradition with your family. “We do pictures even if I don’t send out a card. It’s at least a memento of the holiday,” writer Rachel Pierre shared with Mom.com. “And last year I got all the kids matching PJs, even the baby, and they enjoyed that way more than I thought they would.”
Keep baby safe by participating in virtual holiday festivities
3. A socially-distant holiday may be the best option right now
As COVID-19 cases rise, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends families celebrate by gathering with members of their own households rather than traveling to visit extended family members. Celebrating the holidays with a baby during a global pandemic is going to look vastly different, but that’s not to say it can’t still be fun.
Tiffany Brown’s youngest daughter is now old enough to understand the holidays. “Although this is not her first Christmas, this will be the first time we really include her in the festivities,” the mom of three told Mom.com.
“We will definitely be hosting a family-wide Zoom call to celebrate with our families back in Mississippi and Louisiana. She will get to unwrap her own gifts with her big brother and big sister for the first time,” said Brown.
4. Plan your baby’s first holiday photoshoot
If you’d like to show off your new baby boy’s holiday outfit or your precious daughter’s holiday dress, consider a socially-distant photo with Santa. According to an article on the CNBC website, retailers across the country understand the importance of social distancing this year. Bass Pro Shops will be installing plexiglass shields for contactless Santa visits. The stores will perform temperature checks and require reservations for visits with Santa.
Bass Pro Shops founder, Johnny Morris, explained, “With countless activities canceled and many families dealing with added stress, we feel it’s more important than ever to provide some free Christmas magic and help safely create cherished holiday memories.”
How to manage holiday stress with a new baby
5. Be flexible: It may not be the ideal situation but you can make it work
Louanna Faine grew up in the foster care system and has always dreamed of decorating her own home for the holidays, especially after having a baby. “Due to Covid-19, we moved to my in-laws. Not only can I not buy her all the toys I want, but I will not be able to have the real tree and host my first holiday for my family,” she told Mom.com. “The positive part is at least my daughter will be around one set of grandparents. I will be using What’s App so she can her Nana and other family members.”
6. Delegate so you don’t overdo it
Know when it’s time to take a step back. You may still be working through postpartum emotions and feelings, and you and your baby are likely adjusting to the 4th trimester. Now is not the time to cook a 5-star meal on your own from scratch or deck all the halls. Both your partner and older children can help with cooking, cleaning and gift-wrapping. Even younger children can help with the baby. Delegate those tasks; they can handle it.
Tips for combatting holiday stress to make things easy on yourself
7. Meal plan in advance
Having weeknight meals ready to go allows you more time to devote to holiday planning, especially with a new baby in the house. You can also pick up a complete holiday meal from your local grocery store.
8. Stay safe during the holiday season by shopping online
There’s very little reason to go out to the stores if you don’t have to, especially since the CDC considers holiday shopping in crowded stores a “high risk” activity to be avoided. So put your feet up, grab your phone and send your gifts (or just some holiday cheer) virtually.
9. Lower your expectations of what a happy holiday looks like
If nothing else, 2020 has taught us how to be still. Many of us have rediscovered old hobbies or learned new ones like baking bread and sewing practical gifts for others. As we move closer to the holidays, think back to March and April when just feeling healthy, safe, and present in the moment was enough.
