Page 13 2025 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News kind of preparation eases stress and avoids the pressure of making decisions on the spot. Hosts play a quiet but powerful role in helping the day run smoothly. When families gather for Christmas, everything feels busier, louder, more chaotic. Having a baby in the mix amplifies that. The best hosts are the ones who anticipate needs without making a show of it. Something as simple as making the mother’s plate or offering to hold the baby, after asking, can be the difference between a stressful day and a peaceful one. A quiet room is another core piece of advice. Babies become overstimulated easily. They’re absorbing everything: lights, sounds, voices, new smells, new faces. In the middle of the celebration, having a designated spot— whether it’s a guest bedroom or just a cozy dark corner—gives the parent a place to feed, change, or soothe the baby away from the bustle. It becomes a small sanctuary inside a full house. Retreating to that space for even five minutes can reset the entire day. Then there’s the baby’s experience itself, which rarely lines up with the plans the grown-ups create. Babies don’t care about holiday schedules, family traditions, or the timing of the gift exchange. They don’t know they’re supposed to smile for the camera, or that Grandma bought them a very specific outfit for a very specific photo. They’re simply responding to how they feel in the moment— hungry, sleepy, curious, overstimulated, or completely captivated by things no adult would expect. One of the biggest truths new parents learn is that babies love wrapping paper more than the gifts inside. Shiny, crinkly, noisy textures are infinitely more interesting than a stuffed animal or a board book. Letting the baby play with the wrapping paper is not only harmless, but also part of the magic. They explore the world through their senses, and Christmas gives them plenty to work with. Parents laugh later about the photos: a baby ignoring a brand-new toy while happily entranced by a scrap of glittery paper. It’s part of the charm of the first holiday season. Another note for success is that parents shouldn’t force moments that aren’t working. If the baby fusses during the present-opening, many moms simply open the gifts for them while the baby relaxes nearby. If the baby is uncomfortable with someone holding them, it’s okay—even necessary—to take them back. The baby won’t remember the day, but they will feel the stress of being pushed too far. A calm Christmas, even if it looks a little messy or unscripted, is far better than one spent
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