If it’s your first Christmas with your baby, it’s undoubtedly going to be more special, and of course infinitely different than any you’ve had before.
Depending on how old your bundle of joy is, they might not even be aware that Christmas is anything more than an ordinary day yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.
However, it can also be a stressful time so here are some things you can do to make sure you not only survive the festive season intact but that you also enjoy it:
Limit your ambitions
Remember last year when you didn’t have a tiny whirlwind needing you every ten minutes for a feed, a change, a play or a cuddle? That was the year you could get away with being Delia Smith and Nigella Lawson rolled into one. Scale back your ambitions, relax and enjoy the day rather than running yourself ragged trying to prepare a restaurant quality family feast. Better still, why not bag yourself an invitation to someone else’s house and let them have the stress while you have the fun!
Scale back the presents
Even if you’ve got a baby coming up for their first birthday, the chances are that they’re not going to really understand what’s going on with all the presents. In fact, they’ll either get totally overwhelmed or they’ll decide that the boxes are more fun! So why not (and I know it sounds boring) scale back the presents for another year and concentrate on enjoying each other.
Shop online
Jam-packed shops and prams do not mix. It’s a fact of life and it’s one you’ve probably already discovered. So why not relax at home and let the shopping come to you? Everything from gifts to groceries can be ordered online and you won’t even need to put your boots on.
Delegate
Everyone wants to know if they can help or do anything for you – so let them! Whether it’s asking them to bring lunch to you, fetch a dessert or go to the supermarket at midnight so you get a bargain turkey, these are jobs you can put on someone else’s shoulders leaving you free to take care of the more important things.
Start traditions
Now is the time to decide how you’re going to tell your little one about Santa (if you are planning to), and all the other traditions so why not start early?
Routine
However old your baby is, they’re not going to enjoy being out of their routine (if they have one) so although the day is special, wherever possible try to stick with what you normally do. The chances are you’ll thank yourself for doing it on Boxing Day when you don’t have a completely overwhelmed or over stimulated baby.
Embrace the madness
Accepting that you can’t control Christmas, the mess, the lack of organisation and the amount of food the children will eat is one step closer to enjoying it!
Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas and if you have any tips you would like to share please comment below.
Lyn x
