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Step 1
See the season through your child's eyes. Forget about the hectic shopping, cooking, and social events. Slow down this Christmas and keep the season stress-free for both you and baby.
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Step 2
Decorate your home with age appropriate decorations. The minute you place a special glass ornament within baby's reach is the minute you lose it. Shiny, dangling ornaments are just too tempting for baby. If you have a tree within baby's reach, use soft plastic or fabric ornaments where baby can reach.
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Step 3
Create baby's very own Christmas corner. Dress teddy bears or dolls in Christmas colors. Fill a basket or small toy bin with Christmas-themed stuffed animals and balls in bright Christmas colors. If you use a playpen, run "tinsel" around the top (weaving in and out around the top bar) using Christmas colored stuffed "roping."
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Step 4
Don't plan to attend parties or family gatherings past baby's bedtime. This may mean that you may have to fore go some events that you usually attend in order to spend quiet time with baby. But remember, baby only has one 1st Christmas.
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Step 5
Take baby on special outings to enjoy the Christmas lights and Christmas scenes. If your local church goes caroling, invite them to stop by your house and listen to the carolers with baby.
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Step 6
Don't overspend. Buying more toys than baby needs is done for your ego, not for baby. Buy a few toys that are age appropriate. Don't be disappointed when your baby is more fascinated with the boxes and wrapping paper that the gifts come in. This is natural.
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Step 7
Set limits. Set spending limits and visiting limits with extended family members. Let them know that they are welcome to be a part of baby's first Christmas, but the goal is for baby to enjoy the season without being overextended and stressed out. Some routines will be broken, but try not to completely divert from baby's normal routines.
