Baby's first Christmas ideas

By Jen Barton Packer on 23/11/2018

One of the best parts of parenting is that you get to experience things all over again from your child's perspective. While your baby probably won't be singing the carols on their first Christmas Day, they will absolutely be the star of the show – whether they're a few weeks old or a crawling ball of destruction threatening to topple your tree. Here are some of our favourite things to do with baby – and buy baby for their first Christmas. Because if you don't dress them up as a reindeer now, you'll never get the chance. And trust us, you will regret it.

A festive winter warmer is always encouraged

Babies always need hats – often indoors too, if it's cold – so you absolutely can invest in some novelty ones. This hand-crochet reindeer hat (£20) from Willieratbag at Not on the High Street wins our vote.

Capture baby's footprint at Sammy Duder pottery studio

Tiny fingers and tiny toes are just perfect – which is why we want to turn those footprints and handprints into artwork (and Christmas ornaments). South London pottery studio Sammy Duder is a favourite with the Nappy Valley crowd and you can make anything from clay imprints to fingerprint jewellery (translation: that's every gift you'll need from now on sorted). It's a fun afternoon out for parents and babes; older siblings will also love to join in.

WHERE

Sammy Duder, 67 Webbs Road, Battersea, London, SW11 6SD

Style them up for those Christmas photos

Baby's first year is also known as the most prolific photo shoot that ever was. We predict you'll average 40-odd photos of baby per day and about 80 during festive periods and birthdays. Be the adult that actually sends out Christmas cards this year, starring the cutest model on the planet, your child. This adorable baby elf sleepsuit and hat (£20) from JoJo Maman Bébé should help.

Get baby all of the Christmas-themed presents

Buy baby ALL of the Christmas-themed presents

Three words: Christmas. Tree. Teether. This adorable gift from the The Good Karma Company (£15) is exactly what baby's first Christmas presents should be about: fun, a little kitschy and useful. Your child will be shoving this in their mouth all day long. And just think of the Instagram pics.

Relax with a film at the Picturehouse Cinemas' Big Scream

Picture this: you, watching a movie you really wanted to see (blockbuster or indie, foreign or animated), relaxing in a movie theatre with free coffee and a cake while your baby coos in your lap, feeds, has a snooze or even screams their head off. Yes, cinema for mums and babes exists and it's the most brilliant way to spend the morning. Treat yourself this Christmas and find a Picturehouse Cinema near you – there are typically a couple of screenings a week for mums and babies under a year. Popcorn optional.

WHERE

Locations around London

Help big bro or sis write a letter to Santa

One thing guaranteed to make Christmas a little more magical? And it doesn't require trekking around London, which can sometimes be tricky with a new babe in tow. We suggest some communication with – who else? – Father Christmas himself. Encourage the children to write a letter to him. If you want to go the extra mile and win parent of the year, check out the NSPCC website, where you can create a personalised letter from Father Christmas to your children. They can also receive videos or phone calls from Santa courtesy of PNP Santa.

Enjoy some classical tunes with Bach to Baby

This popular music concert series is a perfect first introduction to Mozart and Beethoven, and will make the fact you probably won't be able to see orchestral music in the evenings until 2023 feel so much more bearable. There are concerts all around London each month, including December - find one near you and book.

WHERE

Locations around London

Get your moves on at Baby Broadway

Show tunes and babies - is anything better? There is still some availability for a few dates in December to take baby to their first West End musical - it's never too soon to introduce them to the wonders of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Never.

WHEN

dates in Dec 2018

WHERE

Locations around London

Invest in personalised Christmas kit from My 1st Years

Put baby's name on a bauble, stocking or sack

Nothing says baby's first Christmas like a special bauble, personalised stocking or cute present sack around the house. For gifts with a personalised touch, My 1st Years is your go-to brand.

Personalise a book for them at Not on the High Street

Nothing beats reading to your children. Well, one thing does: reading to them from a book with their name in, that's been created especially for them. This bespoke 'Christmess adventure' book (£27.50) also has an interactive element that older kids will love: as they scribble away, they reveal more of the story.