Page 12 2025 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News Baby’s First Christmas: A Gentle Guide for Families Navigating the Holiday Madness Magic A baby’s first Christmas is one of those milestones that almost every family imagines long before it’s real. In the weeks leading up to it, parents picture soft red pajamas, quiet mornings by the tree, and maybe a photo worthy of sending to every relative they’ve ever known. But when the day actually arrives, it rarely plays out like the dreamy commercials—at least not without a little planning, a lot of patience, and a willingness to let go of the “perfect” version. Families who have been through it before often talk about their baby's first Christmas as a beautiful blur: equal parts joy, exhaustion, tenderness, and tiny bursts of unexpected magic. The holiday is no longer about the perfect party or the prettiest tree—it becomes about creating a bubble where the parent and baby can feel safe, supported, and comfortable. For many mothers, especially first-time moms, the most important piece of advice is almost counterintuitive: be firm. Holidays bring people together, but they also bring expectations, well-meaning relatives who want to hold the baby, take photos, pass them around, or feed them things the parent might not be ready for. It’s natural for people to be excited about a new little one, but moms should remember to emphasize the importance of protecting their baby’s space. Saying “no” is not rude; it’s responsible. Declining a request for a photo or asking someone to first wash their hands before holding the baby is not impolite, it is security. This can be made easier for others by letting people know before the gathering of what, and what not, you feel comfortable with. Brainstorming and deciding what you feel comfortable with is the first step to getting together a game plan. It doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple as choosing a set time to leave, deciding who handles certain conversations with relatives, or agreeing on a signal that means “the baby needs a break.” for a quiet exit. This
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