Start a new tradition (or two) and savor the memories  

 Are you celebrating Baby’s 1^st Christmas this year? It’s a special milestone and an opportunity to make wonderful, festive memories. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite ideas for creating meaningful new traditions and making the most of the season. 

• AN ANNUAL ADVENT CALENDAR
• A visit to the tree farm
• Christmas “photo shoots”
• Commemorative ornaments
• Personalized stockings
• Family jammies on Christmas Eve
• Classic Christmas stories
• A special meal
• Heirloom gifts
• Donating to a child in need 

An annual Advent calendar

This is a nice tradition, and you have lots of options. You could invest in an Advent calendar that can be reused year each year—there are lots of beautiful wooden and fabric ones that include drawers, doors, and pockets for each day of the month. Or, you could start a tradition of gifting your little one a “consumable” Advent calendar each year. They come in all sorts of themes and include small toys, candy, and other items for kids of all ages. Or, if you’re feeling crafty, get some inspiration from House Beautiful’s 16 DIY Advent Calendars.

 A visit to the tree farm

 Maybe this is something you do already—but, if not, now’s a great time to start. An annual tree-farm family outing is something your child will remember fondly, forever. As they get older, they can get more involved in the actual tree-selection and other activities that may be on offer. (And don’t forget to take photos!)

Christmas “photo shoots”

While we’re talking about photos…make it a point to take annual Christmastime photos with your little one, starting now. It can be a professional photo shoot, or a completely amateur one; either way, you might consider using some of the photos on a photo Christmas card. And, might we suggest something from our adorable Christmas collection for baby? It will allow you to look back and remember the milestone fondly.

 Commemorative ornaments

 Do you still have a “Baby’s 1^st Christmas” ornament from your first Christmas? We wouldn’t be surprised if you did. It’s a wonderful keepsake to be cherished. There are endless options (both personalized and not)—or, get creative, and make your own. You could create a photo ornament, one with baby’s handprints, or some other type of memento that is meaningful. DIY & Crafts has some ideas for Memorable DIY Baby’s 1^st Christmas ornaments.

 Personalized stockings

 This is a similar idea as above. Personalized stockings are a great treasure that last forever. Get one for baby—and the entire family, while you’re at it!—and hang them each year (by the chimney, with care)! 

 Family jammies on Christmas Eve

 Comfy, cozy, and great for photo opps…what’s better than seasonal PJs for the whole family? This is a great idea for an annual, relatively inexpensive, gift that can be opened each Christmas Eve—and worn through the next day (and beyond)! And, while you may not be into the idea of “matchy matchy” most of the year, now is the time to embrace it. What’s cuter than the whole family (or at least the kiddos) in matching pajamas? (Naturally, we’ve got some adorable holiday toddler pajamas that are made of buttery soft organic cotton, should you be in the market.)

 Classic Christmas stories

 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and all through the house… Pick a favorite Christmastime children’s book and read it to baby on Christmas Eve. Repeat this tradition each year (for as long as your child is into it!). Or, pick a new Christmas story or book to try each year. 

 A special meal

 This might be a given, but—if this is your first child, you may not yet be in the habit of preparing a special Christmas meal. It needn’t be extra-fancy, but it’s nice to make a few special dishes that your family will associate with Christmas each year. Endless inspiration abounds on cooking websites; try Taste of Home’s 50 Recipes for an Easy Christmas Dinner Menu.

 Heirloom gifts

 Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to gift your child a special toy or keepsake that will remind them of fond holiday memories. One of our favorite ideas for this year is our Finley the fox rattle buddy, hand knit by artisans in Peru and made with 100% organic cotton.

 Donating to a child in need

 Donating to a child in need—especially this year—is a wonderful thing to do, if you have the resources. It can be as simple as selecting a toy (let baby and any older kids help) and dropping it off in-person or online with Toys for Tots. Or, check out The Spruce’s list of the Top 6 Charities that Help Children at Christmas time for other ideas of how you and your family can help those less fortunate.

 We wish you and your little one a very merry Christmas, filled with special memories and new traditions that you’ll love year after year!

Other holiday blog posts you may like:

What are the best holiday gifts for mom and baby

Shopping organic this holiday season

From Snow and Mistletoe, to presents under the tree. Keeping baby safe this holiday season.