Parenting / 1 December, 2021 / Christina Walter
When it comes to ideas for baby’s first Christmas, we’ve got you sorted, and together with Graco’s must-read guide to a stress-free family Christmas, you’ll be set to make memories you’ll treasure. If you’re wondering what to buy your baby this Christmas, Graco is offering up to 20% off* their swings and highchairs, so families can relax and enjoy the festive season, knowing their baby is safe, secure and cosy.
Christmas is just around the corner. The countdown has begun. Are you looking for ideas for baby’s first Christmas? Ways to make this year extra-special? We know it can be such an exciting time of year, especially with little ones. The tree, the lights, the food, family and not to mention, the presents. Thinking of Christmas traditions you want to start for your family, the ideal gift for their first Christmas and special outfits for the big day – without doubt, the festive season is full of magic and joy.
Yet it can also bring with it a whole host of challenges and dilemmas. Undoubtedly you’ll be busier than usual in the run-up to Christmas. From braving the shops to searching for the best deals online; from the wrapping of gifts to visits from friends and family who want to share in all the joys of the festive season. All these things can take their toll on your baby’s established sleep patterns and naptimes might be more easily disrupted too. Meanwhile, weaning and mealtimes can prove tricky when there is most likely to be chaos in the kitchen preparing food for the big day.
Christmas is a time to celebrate and have fun with your family but it is also a time when stress levels rise. Here Graco shares their top four tips on making Christmas with little ones magical.
Looking after a baby, as well as family and friends, is wonderful but also wonderfully full-on! Try and keep to your baby’s normal routine as much as possible. Sticking to established nap and sleep times means less disruption for baby and you will be sure to get some welcome downtime too.
Travel cots are ideal at this time of year. They’re so easy to pack up and take with you, wherever you travel. They can be put up quickly, in a quiet room, to allow your baby to get some much-needed sleep during the festive period, away from cooing friends and family. If you’re out and about visiting friends and family, your baby’s surroundings may feel new and unfamiliar, but with a travel cot in tow, their sleep routine can stay the same.
Graco has a range of travel cots that can be used at home or when travelling to see friends.
The Contour Electra travel cot grows with your child, from newborn to toddler.
For little ones, there’s a removable bassinet and the cot also features an integrated changing station with wipe-clean fabric, which is really handy for dealing with all those nappy mishaps! Babies will enjoy the hanging toy bar and parents will love that they can control the night light, music and vibration from the detachable control box to keep baby sleeping comfortably and peacefully for longer.
With two wheels, the cot can be easily transported from room to room and it folds down easily into a carry bag for convenient transport and storage.
If possible, try and plan meals at a time that will suit both you and baby. If your little one is more settled with an early lunch, consider having your lunch then too. Alternatively, if your baby sleeps well in the evening, you might want to think about having your main meal then, when you can really relax into the festive season.
A great idea for baby’s first Christmas is to invest in a good highchair, which is a must for festive mealtimes. Graco’s Swift Fold highchair will put you at ease, knowing your little one is safe, secure and able to join in all the mealtime fun with its height-adjustable seat.
The Swift Fold highchair is the easiest highchair you’ll ever fold and its slim, compact design allows you to quickly reclaim kitchen space in between mealtimes – which is a must at this time of year. At only 19cm by 81cm, it’s the most compact highchair available and provides nine height adjustments for the perfect fit to table. As an added bonus, the infant body support and harness covers are removable for easy washing so any messy spillages are easily dealt with.
The one-hand removable tray makes getting baby in and out easy, while the dishwasher safe insert makes clean up a breeze.
At this time of year, when it’s cold outside and the days are short, it can be difficult to get out and about. Parents can feel guilty about the fact that they’re busier than usual and also that their baby is spending less time in the fresh air. We’ve got some great ideas for making baby’s first winter and Christmas a positive experience.
Graco’s newest launch, doorway jumper, the Bumper Jumper, will keep babies content and giggling and will make sure they are getting some all-important exercise and stimulation – up to 20 minutes will do the trick to give little one an energised play, then let them rest again.
It is easy to transport, and won’t mark the doorframe so it can be easily moved from room to room, meaning you can keep baby by your side. The nylon seat pad is easily removed and tossed into the washer to make cleaning easy too, while the play tray gives baby a place to play with toys for more entertainment options. The doorway jumper is easily installed and adjusted and the non-twist straps make sure that getting baby in and out is easy and stress-free!
And for those parents who need an extra bit of time to wrap gifts, write cards or decorate the house, the Move With Me soother literally swings and soothes your baby as you go about your busy day.
This compact baby swing features an integrated carry handle and folds in two easy steps so it can be simply moved from room-to-room. For babies who need a quick nap, the Move with Me has two recline positions that will keep your baby really comfortable and the two-speed vibration and gentle five-speed side-to-side swaying motion will guarantee a relaxing experience. For families on the move over the festive season, the soother can be battery operated for ultimate portability.
The list of jobs can seem endless and overwhelming in the lead-up to the big day. Where possible, pacing the jobs over the month and doing as much in advance is definitely the best option. Simple things like booking the online food shopping delivery date, ordering the turkey, wrapping presents as you buy them and writing a few cards every evening will really help to take the pressure and strain off the big day. But all these things require baby to be safe, comfortable and entertained.
Enter the Graco All Ways Soother, our favourite gift idea for baby’s first Christmas.
This removable rocker is a multi-use baby swing that offers 16 soothing motions and eight ways to swing – soothing options that will comfort baby and keep them smiling and happy by your side, throughout the home. The five-point harness keeps baby cosy and secure for peace of mind at this season of goodwill.
Graco is offering up to 20% off their swings and highchairs, so families can relax and enjoy the festive season, knowing their baby is safe, secure and cosy this Christmas. Offer valid from 30.11.21 to 16.12.21. For more information on Graco’s Christmas Promotion.
*Offer valid from 30.11.21 to 16.12.21. For more information head to Graco’s Christmas Promotion page.
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Introduce a whole new world of fun to their playtime with this incredible personalised wooden doll’s house gift set. Complete with furniture to decorate the living room, kitchen, bedroom, nursery and bathroom, and an adorable wooden family, this set is truly the ultimate doll’s house for little storytellers.
Make this charming doll’s house gift set all theirs by adding a sweet plaque to the front with their name on it.
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