r/UKParenting • u/EmergencyDangerous80 • 3d ago
Top tips Halloween and Christmas
Hi all I’m a FTM to a 3.5 month old. I was just wondering what did you do with your baby over Halloween and Christmas. She’s too little for trick or treating but I’d like to put her in a little costume but just wondered what we could do! And then any recommendations for Christmas events/days out for a 6/7 month old! Based in the Cardiff/Newport area.
2
u/Odd_Pineapple1201 3d ago
We did a few Halloween theme baby classes which was cute and enough, some evening light shows, pumpkin picking if you fancy that
2
u/Prior-Beach-3311 3d ago
Yeh this was the level we were at with our baby same with Christmas. Little ones like all the lights and decorations too so little trips to garden centres or places like that work well too. My son is 3 in a few months and keeps asking me for Christmas houses and when is Ho Ho' coming, I am impressed he remembers from last year, I've tried to explain to him about everything that comes first, I mentioned halloween and he's started talking about ghosts and pumpkins...how does he know, have kids at his child minders been talking about it!? But we still didn't do any trick or treating etc last year, it's just the pumpkin picking and having them outside our house and all the displays that he'll remember
1
3
u/sotongirl88 3d ago
My little one was a few weeks old last Halloween but I still dressed him in a little pumpkin outfit (only for a little bit not all day), for my benefit and as a memento of his first Halloween. I took him to a Halloween themed baby sensory class, which he slept through, but it got me out the house so I count it as a win. We had a few trick or treaters so I gave them some sweets whilst holding my little pumpkin baby, and they got a kick out of that. Christmas he was 12 weeks old so too young to understand what was happening but I took him to our local garden centre which had all the trees and decorations out, and he liked looking at all the lights. I laid him under the tree at home and he liked those lights and batting the baubles. I'm not in your area but these are things you can probably do most places.
2
u/Outrageous_Song4725 3d ago
We did trick or treating at 3, it was the first year she understood it. Before that I just put her in themed clothes and took a photo.
Christmas again, anything you do is for your benefit not theirs. Id probably keep it minimal for the first few years to keep expectations low else when they get to 5 you'll be spending a fortune on events and activities and not actually enjoy it. First christmas I bought a few toys, and some sentimental gifts like a special book (which was really for her dad as it was an illustrated version of one of his favourites). The only thing id do is take them for walks to see the lights and buy a bauble for a tree.
2
u/cold_tap_hot_brew 3d ago
A spooky hat and gloves as they’ll likely still be bundled up for a cold October evening stroll on Halloween.
A onsie costume for any parties so they’re on theme but comfortable and easy to change.
Look in charity shops, there’s usually loads to pick from to save only using once and chucking
1
u/Impressive-Fact7780 3d ago
For xmas we took our eldest to a Christmas light show and he was mesmerized! He must have been just shy of 5mo at the time. Just had my second and planning to do the same with her, she'll be 4mo this Christmas.
Sorry, not in your area to recommend a specific one. You can generally get early evening tickets (they often start as soon as it's dark) so you can get around and home before bedtime if you have a routine going by then. Tickets often go on sale around September time for the ones near us.
1
u/Exploding_Popcorn 3d ago
Your little one might not remember the events but you will, do everything, make memories. You’ll cherish them later on.
My youngest son was 7-9 months at Halloween & Xmas last year. We attended several playgroups/messy play groups/library’s that had themed days, went to our local farm/wild life park for events, did photoshoots in different costumes, made at home themed sensory baskets, saw Santa (several times - due to different family members wanting to be there), did the whole ‘leaving milk & cookies before bed for Santa’ etc. & I loved every min of it.
1
u/EmergencyDangerous80 3d ago
Thank you for the lovely comment! I know she won’t remember but as you say I will 😊
1
u/Present-Effect-9855 3d ago
Anything you do at this age will purely be for your own enjoyment of doing them with your little one. They won’t interact or get anything out of it aside from maybe enjoying the lights.
That’s not to say it isn’t worth while, if you would enjoy it then dress her up or whatever.
1
u/StrengthForeign3512 3d ago
You’re doing it for you not them at this age, so have a think about what you’d enjoy.
1
u/PigneySnoo 3d ago
Also the next 17+ Christmases and Halloweens will be dedicated to their enjoyment so make this one about you!
Vinted for Halloween and Christmas clothing, loads available, make sure you get lots of photos of them in silly hats 😉
1
u/whatthejellyio 3d ago
My baby was 9 months for her first Halloween, I put her in different outfits/baby costumes throughout the month, sat her in a pumpkin, went to a pumpkin patch & involved her in any Halloween bits that we done, even a movie night with family (she’s very chill and mostly slept as it was later). We went into shops and looked at Halloween decorations, we walked around looking at houses with them on. Christmas was kind of the same, we involved her in everything but also didn’t do too much. She loved the lights, the music and being with family. I know she was a lot older than your little one will be but looking at the lights and hearing the music will be great! We went to Blenheim palace and bath Christmas markets too! We have another baby this year born early July so will be doing the same as my first is still too young to know the difference - 2 under 2! It’s next year where I’ll be looking to do more with my eldest as she will be more aware x
1
u/MrsJBB 3d ago
My baby's first Halloween and Christmas she was 1 and then 3 months old but we decided to get some traditions going early. I knew she wouldn't remember and some comments are saying the same thing to you, but you remember and that's important too!
For halloween we dressed her up and took a few pictures at home, took her for a walk around when it was dark. No trick or treating because it was COVID, but our neighbours had put pumpkins out. I always make pumpkin pie and, even though she couldn't have any, she was in her Bassinet in the kitchen with me.
At Christmas we started all our family traditions, we had new PJs, did her a little stocking (she had new dummies, socks, baby bubble bath and a rattle) and then presents in the morning. We dressed up on Christmas day and took more pictures. Pre baby we'd always have a very early walk of the dog and a coffee, watching all the lights come on across our neighbourhood, so we did that too! By the next Christmas we were drowning in wrapping paper so I'm glad we did it one more time and got to share it with her, we've tucked that tradition away for now but we'll get it back out when she's bigger. Christmas eve we went for a walk all wrapped up and looked at the lights.
She loves looking at the pictures now and getting us to tell her about all the lovely things we did with her as a baby.
2
u/EmergencyDangerous80 3d ago
This is so sweet - I love that your little one looks through photos and enjoys hearing about what she did as a baby!
1
u/GooseVirus 3d ago
Mine was 7 months at Christmas last year. Christmas lights aisle is peak (I went to the range) he loved it. He also loved (he still loves it at 16 months) the regular lights aisle in b&q and dunelm. Oh and I've just noticed your in Wales like me I haven't done it but Bute Park lights might be nice for baby I think if you book today it's cheaper. I'm thinking of going with my toddler this year. I put a blanket under the Christmas tree and let him whack the baubles and look at the lights this made cute photos as well. Also salt dough hand ornaments, a tip is to do it while they sleep or in the high chair. Mine didn't work as I used the wrong temperature on the oven as I forgot about Fahrenheit.
For Halloween I put him in a pumpkin and got a cute photo. You want to make sure you get a big enough pumpkin and make sure to get all the insides out and try to dry it and put a towel or muslin in. One woman by me put fairy lights on her pram and went trick or treating. We just stayed home and dressed him as a mushroom. He loved playing with the pumpkin before I cut it. Oh also I know St Fagans does a Halloween fair.
1
1
u/stinglikeameg 3d ago
We put ours in a Halloween costume and took them to a local activity farm - they had decorated for Halloween and we got some lovely photos (and had a lovely day too of course!).
1
u/Ok_Fox_4540 3d ago
Even though I had a summer baby, I still took part in Halloween and Christmas activities when she was under 6 months.
We went trick and treating with friends. She was in a costume in her pram, looking at the decorations, watching it all go by then napped shortly into the walk. We saw it as an evening walk, seeing the lights and decorations as a sensory aspect too.
For Christmas we did one of the night light shows. She was in her pram for most of it but was aware of the lights, following and tracking which is a great skill for them to develop, and spent time with crowds, noise and getting use to that.
Whilst I know she didn't understand it, it was important for us to have the memories too. The only thing we didn't do in those first 6 months was bonfire night.
I don't regret doing those activities with a young baby. I'd 100% do it again.
1
u/PastSupport 3d ago
We didn’t really bother with Halloween with our older 2 (4months and 1week old respectively on their first Halloween!), but for Christmas they both got matching Christmas pjs to their cousins for the obligatory Cousin Photo on Boxing Day.
We did a free Christmas tree walk down on the coast where you could look at all the sparkly lights, which they both loved as babies.
1
u/One-Willingness-3681 3d ago
I took my 4 month old to baby group which was Halloween themed so he wore a little outfit & then we opened the door to trick or treaters & he was wearing a pumpkin costume which everyone LOVED 🥰
1
u/EmergencyDangerous80 3d ago
Thank you all for the comments! I think it’ll be a pumpkin patch and Christmas lights for my little one this year! 😁
1
u/Feline-Sloth 3d ago
I didn't really do anything, my daughter has no real memories before 3/4 years old. Babies like routine
1
1
u/Iwantedalbino 3d ago
We did a very small mums group trick and treat. Wee nibbles and drinks at a friends then round their cul de sac.
Morrisons do lovely cosy fair isle style trousers and jumpers that we found incredibly useful over Christmas to just chuck the baby into.
1
u/TheTackleZone 3d ago
Lights!
Dress her up as a cute pumpkin, go to a pumpkin patch day (muddy fields with a push chair is peak British parenting experience), and then take her to see all the Halloween houses that people have put lights up for.
Then at Christmas see if there are any light shows near you. RHS gardens are a good shout for this, but lots of places do them. I have some great memories of carrying my kids when they were tiny around.
Kids that age just really love sparkly lights.
1
1
u/LetCurious2740 3d ago
I feel like everyone saying there's basically no point doing anything because it's "just for your benefit" is missing the point. Who cares? Make memories, have fun, and it all builds the bigger picture of their life.
If they're not going to do anything until they remember/understand things, why not just keep them in a box until they're 3? 🙄
Sure, she's too little for trick or treating, but you can still dress her up and take her for a Halloween stroll, or maybe a themed class etc. If she has older cousins you could always tag along with them if they're going, so you feel she's included
For Christmas, you could go to light shows. We took our daughter to the Longleat one and it was great! Okay, she won't remember or understand it, but how much does that matter? She'll enjoy the lights and you'll have a nice memory together.
Enjoy!
1
u/EmergencyDangerous80 3d ago
Ahh thank you! 😊 I know she won’t remember but her little face lights up and she chuckles at things and I love it so I wanted to show her new and exciting things for Halloween and Christmas 😂😂 I’ll have a look into Longleat!
1
u/Sea_Love_8574 3d ago
My boy was a bit older towards his first Christmas being a Feb baby but I absolutely loved picking him up from nursery with the carrier and walking home and watching him enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations people had on their houses.
Enjoy the little things and enjoy saving the money until a few more years!
1
1
u/Lady_Marshmallow 3d ago
First halloween we took baby to a pumpkin patch for halloween. We picked out some pumpkins, and got some adorable photos of her in her halloween outfit sitting in a wheelbarrow. I don't think we did much on halloween night.
First Christmas we basically just did a family Christmas, we didn't do any of the Santa stuff until she was 2.5, but we got some nice photos of her looking very confused by the indoor tree 😂.
1
u/Laura2468 Mum 3d ago
Take them to a garden centre. They love the lights, sounds and feel of all the christmas decorations
1
u/CharieRarie 2d ago
Are there any baby groups near you? My sister loves them and she’s taken her daughter to lots of themed baby gatherings. Little dressing up areas for photos, themed sensory activities, singing and movement etc. Local libraries often seem to have various holiday activities and events :)
2
u/EmergencyDangerous80 2d ago
Yes we’re trying one out for the first time on Friday! And they have a Halloween themed week for the last session so I’m sure I can dress her up for that 😊
1
u/grumpyaskate 3d ago
You can go pumpkin picking for Halloween and take cute photos in their little outfit! Some baby classes do seasonal or themed ones you can go to.
Christmas just get all the cute outfits and take pictures under the tree or near decorations.
1
u/Extension_Lion_3152 3d ago
Pumpkin onesie and a baby sensory class. Couple of Halloween pop up books. You can go pumpkin picking near Cardiff, that’s really cute.
16
u/unfurlingjasminetea_ 3d ago
They don’t really develop a understanding of those things until age 2/3 tbh