THE TIME OF ADVENT
At the beginning of December, Christmas is already in the air...
And with a baby, the holidays undoubtedly take on a new dimension, especially if it's your first child. From this first year, you can begin to introduce your little one to the traditions that make this period unique: advent calendar, candles, nativity scene, tree, house decoration, little spice cookies, Christmas stories and carols, etc.
These rites take on a new meaning as soon as you perpetuate them to pass them on to your child, who will undoubtedly reproduce them in turn when he or she grows up.
To gently awaken him to the magic of the holidays, involve him as much as possible in all your preparations: lights, colors, scents... For your child, Christmas will be a delight for all the senses!
THE TREE AND ITS THOUSAND LIGHTS
As for the tree, it's better not to take out your most beautiful fine glass baubles this year, especially if your little adventurer starts to wander around on all fours... Focus on solid decorations that you will show him before hanging them higher up, to prevent him from tearing them off immediately. Also essential, the flashing light garlands will amaze even the smallest babies, who will probably only have eyes for them!
Every day until Christmas, take a moment to show your baby the tree and its lights, snuggled in your arms. Be careful though: don't let your little one wander around unsupervised near your beautiful tree and its electric garlands...
GIFTS: NOT TOO MUCH!
Gifts for a baby just a few months old can be a real headache... He's probably already received a lot for his birth and he doesn't have any big needs yet, but the whole family probably wants to spoil him anyway. If you are overwhelmed with early age toys, consider giving him (or having him give him) toys for a slightly older age than his, which he will use within a while.
Same solution for clothes: order Santa Claus some pretty outfits for the next season. Smart too: rather than toys, ask for useful everyday objects, such as a mixer/steamer, a high chair, a playpen, etc.
Also note that the little ones are quickly overwhelmed by opening gifts: beyond 2 or 3 sparkling packages which will attract their attention, they will have a hard time taking interest in this moment so awaited by the older ones, and they will perhaps even be frightened by the general excitement.
So don't be disappointed if your baby doesn't seem passionate about his presents: he will discover them little by little, over the weeks following the party.
A FIRST EVE TO IMMORTALIZE
On New Year's Eve, don't hesitate to give your baby a good nap in the afternoon, so that he can stay up a little later than usual – without disrupting his usual routine too much.
It is also better to have him dinner before the guests arrive: in the festive atmosphere, he might have difficulty concentrating on his feeding, his bottle or his little puree!
This will also allow him to be more available afterwards to enjoy the events. If your baby is not yet really aware of the celebration, he perceives very well the emotions of those around him: the joy of the adults, the excitement of the children, the wonder of everyone...
This first New Year's Eve will leave its mark on his emotional memory.
On the other hand, there is no point in deluding yourself: your child will not keep conscious traces of his first Christmas. But for you and for the whole family, this moment will remain a precious memory, and when your little one is a little (or a lot!) older, he will have great pleasure in seeing the images of it. So, grab your cameras!
So that you are also present in the images, rotate the cameras and ask everyone to take a few photos during the evening: you will then have what you need to create a beautiful souvenir album of this enchanted day.