If this is your baby’s first Christmas, there are many wonderful ways to make it memorable. The most
obvious of
course is to take many movies and still pictures of baby -- under the tree, in their Christmas outfit, sitting with
Grandma and Grandpa, visiting Santa Claus and sitting with cousins among the Christmas wrapping paper and ribbon.
The baby may be oblivious to the holiday, but you can’t
let it pass by without buying wonderful things for your baby’s first Christmas. Furniture is a wonderful way to preserve
the memory of the first Christmas -- your child might even pass it down to your grandchild someday!
Books always make great gifts for babies. A few of the books recommended are: “Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny”
by Margaret Wise Brown; “Pat the Bunny” by Dorothy Kunhardt; “Guess How Much I Love” You by Sam McBratney;
any book by Dr. Seuss because children love the sing-song rhythm of his books.
Many greeting card companies also make special keepsake ornaments for baby’s first Christmas. It’s
a nice tradition to start a collection of ornaments for your child when he is a baby, and add one each Christmas. What a special
memento for that child when he or she sets up their own first Christmas tree and has all of their personal ornaments to hang
on it.
Another favorite is a stuffed animal. It could
play music or just be a comfortable toy for the child to hold on to. This first present could become a beloved companion for
your baby.
You also might consider buying a special
outfit with “Baby’s First Christmas” printed on it and also save it for the day that they have their own
special first baby Christmas.
There are so many things
that can be personalized now for baby’s first Christmas. You can personalize baby blankets or clothes -- even clocks
can be personalized with your baby’s name and the year of their first Christmas.
How about a personalized Christmas stocking for your baby? This is something that could become
a treasured possession for years to come and can be passed down from one generation to another.
When buying Christmas gifts for your baby, consider spending a little more and getting
something that will last through the years. A baby’s first train or doll that will remain with your child for years
to come is a wonderful reminder of baby's first Christmas.
A couple of neat ideas for gifts are from Baby Gund. The “My First Baseball” play set features a baseball
player, a bat that crinkles, a soft plush glove, and a baseball that rattles. It also plays “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Along that same line, they have “My First Sports Bag” which
includes a baseball bat, basketball rattle, soccer ball, and a squeaky football.
Finally, “My First Football” Baby Gund play set has a personalized first football
that rattles, squeaks, sings, and is all included in a personalized football bag.
Stuffed animals, plush play sets, and toys that play music will help your child to have a
wonderful first Christmas. An entertaining toy for your child’s crib or play area are wonderful first Christmas gifts.
Look for toys such as Fisher-Price “Kick ‘N Drive Gym” which converts from a baby toy to a toddler toy.
Any nesting cups, blocks, or toys that will stimulate your child to
make movement and engage their attention are good gifts. As always, check the package for the age guidelines for that particular
item.
Another possible first gift to make your baby’s
first Christmas memorable is a piggy bank with the baby’s name on it. It will help start the tradition of saving for
your child and teach your child the value of savings.
A
special gift that will last a lifetime is also a picture frame noting baby’s first Christmas with their picture in it.
Try having a photo taken of the whole family or of your child sitting in Santa’s lap for the first time.
Why not write a small book that will record your baby’s first
Christmas that he will have to look at and read the rest of their life. They may not have the actual memory, but you can make
it come alive by recording all the special events on that first Christmas.
