First Christmas

Baby's first Christmas
Do you have a baby in your family? If so will this Christmas be its first? If the answer is yes you may want to buy an extra special gift but what is on offer?

Depending when during the year the baby was born it could be that there will seemingly be nothing suitable. A tiny baby will not be able to play yet or take much notice. It could be that the baby shower provided more than enough items to last a lifetime. Get imaginative or creative in order to make the first Christmas gifts something to remember.

Something to keep and treasure
Consider the gift carefully. It may be that you want to give an item which can be treasured in the future. A potential antique or maybe one that already is. It could be a Victorian silver photo frame, a piece of jewelry or an antique rocking horse. You will have plenty of time for large gifts though. This first year something small but special, like baby, could be perfect.

Something for the future?
If baby is up to its nose in gifts how about one that is practical? No not a set of pans! How about making an investment on baby's behalf? In the UK you can buy premium bonds. They do not make a great deal of interest, in fact they don't make any, but the money is safe. Each month a random draw picks a winner and so in theory even the smallest number of premium bonds could win a £1,000,000. The bonds can be cashed in for face value which might be useful when the child is older.

Opening a bank account for baby, with even only a small sum of money could proof to be prudent. Each year at birthdays and Christmas money gifts could be added building a nice little nest egg for the future. These days you will have to be careful which bank you choose. With nose-diving economies and banking scandals not all are safe.

Family Heirlooms
A family heirloom could be an item that already has a long family history or a future treasure. It could be:
• Granddad’s old teddy bear
• Grandma's first doll
• A trinket box
• An item which has been handed down through the generations
• A piece of jewellery
• Great Granddad’s medals

Cuddly toys
Soft, cuddly toys are usually a safe bet. The problem is the rest of the family may think so too. You can still be creative though; how about a handmade soft toy for baby's first Christmas. There is still to make one. You can sew in some love. The good thing is that you can ensure that the toy or toys are extremely safe. No matter how careful you are when you shop you can never be 100% sure of health and safety standards, can you?

Whether you are going to make or buy a soft toy try to be imaginative. A child will soon have a cupboard full of soft toys but there will only be one special one; one that grabs the child's heart and is taken here, there and everywhere. Traditionally it will be pink for a girl and blue for a boy but why not break with tradition

Genealogy
Researching, documenting and collating your family tree can be interesting. It can be fun and it may be hard work. You can buy parchment type scrolls which you then complete with your family tree details. This could be fully or partially completed, framed or not. It could hang in baby's bedroom to be completed in time. Personalised gifts

Gifts that are personalised with the words "Baby's first Christmas"" come in many shapes and sizes. Bibs, Christmas Tree baubles, little outfits, soft toys, teddy bears and more.Some will be tacky, others fun, and others classy. As they say "you earns your money you makes your choice" One essential ingredient in Baby's Fist Christmas gifts will be love. Put the right amount of love and thought into your gift and it cannot fail.

Note: Gift suggestions would also work for Baby's first birthday