Our first child arrived in mid-November, just six weeks before Christmas. Inevitably, after someone would ooh and ahh over our tiny newborn, they would then say, “You don’t have to get her anything for Christmas. She won’t remember it.”
To that, I’m happy to report that I absolutely went all out for my baby’s first Christmas. And if you’re a mom to an infant this holiday season, I want you to know that you don’t need to apologize for celebrating with your little one. If this time of being merry and bright brings your family joy, then my question is, why not enjoy your baby’s first Christmas in whatever ways work for you?
Obviously, my 6-week-old couldn’t open gifts. In fact, she slept through the entire holiday season, waking only for a bottle and a diaper change. But you’d better bet I got her a red and white sleeper (in fact, she had three), a Santa bib, and a red headband. We took dozens of pictures, captivating the moment we’d been waiting for, for nearly two years — to be someone’s mom and dad and relish having her in our arms next to the twinkling Christmas tree.
There will always be the naysayers who roll their eyes at the over-the-top parents. Here’s a bit of unsolicited parenting advice: what someone else thinks of your parenting is none of your concern. This is your baby and your holiday season. If you decide to get your baby a cute outfit, buy them a stack of gifts, or let that older baby have a nibble of a Christmas cookie — you do you, boo.
The reality is, our children are only little and young for so long. My 6-week-old baby is now a teenager. Instead of throwing food off her highchair and refusing to nap, she’s devouring snacks and sleeping in on the weekends. I certainly can no longer pick her up. She went from playing with blocks to asking for a new cell phone case. The days really do fly by.
Our second child was also a November baby. Just like with her older sister, we enjoyed baby’s first Christmas, dressing our girls in matching holiday dresses and propping them up by the tree for photos. I have never regretted the decision to make our family holiday, no matter how young a child was at the time, magical and memorable.
If you’re a new parent who is about to celebrate your baby’s first Christmas, you will face a relative or two (or 10) who will tell you that your baby won’t remember a thing or will only want to play with the boxes and discarded wrapping paper. You have the option to become defensive about your decision, second-guess yourself, cave to the opinions of others, or simply enjoy the holiday with your baby as you see fit.
As a mama of four, with two of my babies arriving just weeks before Christmas, I want you to be confident and happy in your choice. Worrying about what other people think will lead to unhappiness. I understand that it’s hard when those who question your holiday joy are your relatives and the people whom you probably love and trust the most. However, this is your child and thus, your decision.
You can respond in any number of ways. One option is to laugh and acknowledge that yes, your baby will likely snooze through the holiday festivities, giving mommy the “silent night” she’s been longing for. You can also be direct and say, “I understand you wouldn’t go all-out like we are, but this is the decision we’ve made.” You can also deflect. “Look how cute she looks in her holiday outfit!”
However, you don’t owe anyone an explanation. Nor should you delve into a sea of doubt just because someone you love may have chosen or is choosing to celebrate differently. The reality is that the holidays can be wonderful simply because they are and it’s not based on the person’s age or size.
We recently looked back on family photos from our older girls’ first Christmases and they brought a smile to our faces. The girls were so little and adorable. I am grateful we chose to celebrate like we did, ignoring anyone who balked at our plans. I want my children to enjoy the magic of Christmas for as long as they can.
