Top Tips for a Magical and Memorable Holiday Season with Baby

This holiday season has the potential to be a really special one. If you weren’t able to see grandma and grandpa last year, this might be your first holiday all together and that is certainly something to celebrate!

Regardless, you still may be struggling to figure out what you can do now that holiday parties and get-togethers have gotten a little more complicated with your new addition, so let us help!

Below are nine tips to make the most of this magical holiday season!

Donate Gently Used Clothing

One of the best ways to celebrate the holidays is by giving back. Especially if you’ve bought your baby a whole new wardrobe or just replaced a few key pieces, consider giving back to those who aren’t as fortunate. There are a number of organizations who would happily accept gently used baby clothes. You can use a national list or you can look locally and find an organization in your own community. Sometimes the greatest gift is just giving back!

Deck the Nursery

While you’re putting up all your decorations both inside and out, don’t forget the nursery! Some soft, white twinkle lights along the ceiling, make-at-home paper snowflakes (which can be a fun family activity) hanging here and there along with a super-soft cuddly stuffed reindeer or Santa can all bring holiday cheer to your baby’s nursery!

Wish Lists for Baby (and Mom and Dad)

Especially if baby is a still relatively new addition, you might have already ticked off all the boxes of necessary items. But, if you didn’t get everything from the baby shower wish list, you should feel free to gently nudge around the holidays. Create a wish list of all the things your baby might need as they begin to grow. Maybe they’re outgrowing their PJs and could use a larger size. Either way, go for it!

Make a Memorable Christmas Tree Round

One of our favorite traditions is the Christmas Tree round. This is a deceptively simple but incredibly memorable gift you can give to your own family. All you need to do is slice of the bottom of your Christmas tree and seal it in some way. Usually polyurethane will work but any other wood sealant should be fine as well. Then, write down a special memory on the round from this year’s holiday. Maybe baby said a new word or did something especially cute. Whatever it is, write it on the round and you’ll have something from that year to treasure long into the future.

Take A Festive Holiday Photo

These days, with our smart phones glued to our hands, we’re always snapping photos of baby. That said, you probably have no shortage of adorable shots but heading out and getting one taken professionally can be rewarding as well! Especially if last year was your first with baby, you might not have ever had a professional photo taken so head on down to main street or the mall in your best (or tackiest) holiday wear and smile for the camera!

Go Out for a Night of Neighborhood Christmas Lights

Chances are, you’re not far from a wonderful light display in your own neighborhood. Instead of heading to a crowded light show downtown, you, hubby and baby can all stay in your PJs, sip some hot chocolate and take in the lights close to home. Maybe you can take a walking tour but, otherwise, you can pile into the car, crank up your Christmas playlist and have your own party on wheels!

Read Christmas Stories

Cozy bedtime holiday stories are the absolute best. Whether you choose classics, like Twas the Night Before Christmas, or something more contemporary, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, you and baby are absolutely going to love snuggles with stories.

Watch Christmas Movies

And don’t leave movies out either! A cozy movie night is always a good idea during the holidays. Some of our favorites are The Polar Express for a more modern take but, if you want to throw it back, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a classic choice.

Don’t Do Too Much

Although, all this being said, sometimes the best thing to do is not much at all. Don’t over-plan this holiday season and don’t spread yourself too thin. Make sure to take plenty of time for yourself to enjoy spending these precious moments with your family and, of course, have a glass (or three) of eggnog. You deserve it!