10 Special Ways to Celebrate Baby’s First Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is always a special time, but it becomes even more unforgettable when you have a new baby. As the holiday approaches, it’s beneficial for new parents to find the best ways to celebrate baby’s first Thanksgiving so it’s as memorable as can be.
However, with so many things to consider, from planning the menu to keeping the baby comfortable and happy, it can be overwhelming to figure out the best ways to celebrate. That’s why we’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll explore some creative and fun ways to make your baby’s first Thanksgiving unforgettable for the whole family. Plus, you’ll also find some tried and true tips for baby’s first Thanksgiving.
Let’s dive in and make this holiday season one to remember!
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Fun Ways to Celebrate Baby’s First Thanksgiving
While your Thanksgiving might look slightly different this year than in previous years, there are still numerous ways to make it memorable! Here are the top ten ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your new baby:
1. Get a Cute Outfit
Recommended Age: All Babies
Whether your family enjoys dressing up or staying casual for Thanksgiving, getting your little one a cute holiday outfit is a must. And the great thing is that you can get as fancy or relaxed as you want!
When my babies had their first holidays, I liked to get them outfits like this one. These onesie sets are comfy and adorable, making them a perfect option for all babies!
2. Have a Photo Shoot
Recommended Age: All Babies
Once you have a cute outfit for your little one, have a photo shoot! There is nothing better than looking back at all of your baby’s first holidays and how much they have changed between each one.
Remember, you don’t have to have any props or fancy things if you don’t want to! Depending on the weather, you can take a blanket outside for cute fall pictures or lay a blanket down inside for some simple photos!
3. Host a Baby ‘Friendsgiving’ Party
Recommended Age: 3 to 12-Months-Old
Hosting a baby Friendsgiving party can be a fun way to celebrate your baby’s first Thanksgiving. Call up some mom friends or family members who also have babies and have them over for a holiday-themed playdate.
Since this ‘party’ is for the babies, you won’t need much. Even just setting up some simple Autumn decorations and making a little spot to take cute photos can be enough for a special day!
4. Pumpkin Sensory Bin
Recommended Age: 6 Months+
Pumpkin is one of the season’s most popular flavors, so why not make a festive sensory bin for your baby? You can either carve a pumpkin and throw some of the insides (without the seeds) in a shallow tub or use a can of 100% pure pumpkin. The pumpkin goo makes a wonderful squishy sensory experience for your little one!
Start by sitting with your baby (diaper only might be best to prevent clothing stains) and showing them how to squish the pumpkin in their hands. You’ll love watching them explore and react to this weird new texture!
As always, supervise your baby for this activity and ensure they don’t eat the pumpkin.
Related Articles:
- The Best New Year’s Eve Traditions for Families
- Fun Ways to Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas
- Exciting Ways to Celebrate Baby’s First New Year’s Eve
- Cute Ways to Celebrate Baby’s First Valentine’s Day
- Adorable Valentine’s Day Traditions for Kids
5. Make a Festive Keepsake
Recommended Age: All Babies
Baby keepsakes are something that you will treasure forever. Making a keepsake is something that I have always looked forward to doing with my babies each holiday!
One thing I adore about keepsakes is that you can make them as simple or complex as you like! I enjoy doing handprint crafts with babies because they are pretty straightforward to put together, and they always turn out so adorable.
Need a quick idea for a Thanksgiving keepsake for your baby? Check out these handprint craft templates in our Etsy shop! Simply print out the template, use some non-toxic finger paint (be sure to wash their hands thoroughly afterward), and put your baby’s handprint on the picture. You’ll have the most precious keepsake that you’ll love displaying each year.
6. Read Thanksgiving Books
Recommended Age: All Babies
Reading books together is a fun, age-appropriate way to celebrate any holiday and a great activity for babies of any age! Here are our top five Thanksgiving books for babies:
1. You’re My Little Cutie Pie – This series has fun rhymes and cutouts for little hands to feel.
2. Gobble Wobble – Finger puppet books are always a hit!
3. This Little Turkey – A fun Thanksgiving version of “This Little Piggy.”
4. Happy Thanksgiving, Curious George – Curious George books are one of our favorites.
5. Pookie’s Thanksgiving – Sandra Boynton’s books are another family favorite.
7. Have Plenty of Family Time
Recommended Age: All Babies
Being around family on Thanksgiving makes reflecting on what you’re thankful for even more effortless. Plus, spending time with your new baby around family on Thanksgiving is crucial for bonding and creating memories.
Also, Thanksgiving provides a perfect opportunity to introduce your new baby to relatives you might not have seen in a while and for them to shower your baby with love and attention. This strengthens the familial bond and helps the baby feel secure and valued.
Moreover, as a new parent, having the support and assistance of family members during the holidays can be incredibly helpful and reassuring. From sharing parenting tips to lending a helping hand, having family around can take some stress away and ensure everyone has a relaxing holiday!
8. Try Some New Foods
Recommended Age: 6 Months+
Having your baby try new foods at Thanksgiving can be an exciting and fun experience for the entire family. While some little ones may be hesitant to try something new, others dive right in and explore the different textures and flavors.
As long as your baby is 6+ months old and you have the go-ahead from your pediatrician, Thanksgiving provides an excellent opportunity for parents to introduce their babies to traditional holiday foods and begin developing their palates.
You’ll find many new food options for your little one at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Some great places to start are with foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries, sweet potatoes, peas, or bread, all cut or mashed into small enough bites for your baby.
And as always, you’ll want to avoid foods that can pose a risk to your baby. Steer clear of desserts with nuts, casseroles, raw veggies, and stuffing.
Watching your baby experience new tastes and textures can bring joy and laughter to the holiday festivities. With a bit of patience and encouragement, Thanksgiving can be a wonderful time for babies to try new foods and explore the world of flavors around them.
9. Check Out Local Events
Recommended Age: 3 Months+
One great thing about the holidays is that there are usually some fun, local events that you can attend. Places like museums, zoos, the library, or farms/pumpkin patches often host family-friendly events and activities that you can go to.
If you choose to attend activities out of the house with your baby, ensure you bring a stroller or baby carrier so you don’t tire yourself out. Also, make sure you pack a diaper bag with everything you need so you don’t run into a problem!
10. Choose a New Thanksgiving Tradition to Start
Recommended Age: 3 Months+
As a new parent, starting Thanksgiving traditions with your baby can be an exciting way to create lasting memories. Consider incorporating your little one into classic traditions, such as watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or doing holiday crafts.
You can also start new traditions tailored specifically to your family, such as walking in the park to enjoy the fall foliage or creating a unique gratitude journal.
Whatever you choose to do, the key is to make it fun, engaging, and age-appropriate for your baby. For more ideas, check out this article on the best Thanksgiving traditions for families.
Tips for Celebrating Baby’s First Thanksgiving
Celebrating baby’s first Thanksgiving can be fun, but preparing yourself beforehand is always beneficial. Here are some of the best tips for celebrating baby’s first Thanksgiving:
1. Stay Flexible
Our first tip for celebrating baby’s first Thanksgiving is to stay flexible and go with the flow. You might plan to do something, but your baby isn’t having it when the time comes.
Instead of going anyway and having a screaming, upset baby, respectfully cancel your plans and stay home. It will always be better the next year!
2. Keep it Comfortable
Another way to ensure your holiday goes off without a hitch is to dress your baby in clothes they will be happy in. While it might be tempting to put them in semi-formal clothes because they are so cute, it might make them fussy if they aren’t the most comfortable.
3. Don’t Stress!
Our next tip for celebrating baby’s first Thanksgiving is not to stress. It’s easy to get swept up in the holiday, and want to make everything perfect for your baby. But in the end, they won’t remember their first Thanksgiving!
At the end of the day, make sure you have made some special memories for your family to reflect on, and remember that even choosing just one way to celebrate from the list above will be enough!
4. Don’t Skip Nap Time
While you might have to rearrange parts of your day due to get-togethers with family and friends, try your hardest to keep your baby’s naps consistent. An overtired baby will not be much fun and will be much harder to settle at the end of the day.
5. Wear Your Baby
If the thought of passing your baby around at a get-together stresses you out, this tip is for you! The easiest way to forego everyone at a party having a turn holding your baby is to wear them. If your baby is content in a carrier or even sleeping, people will likely not be asking you to hold your baby.
6. Bring Your Essentials
Bringing your baby’s essentials to family holidays is one of the most important tips. Traveling with a baby can be daunting, even if it’s just to a grandparents’ house, but packing all the necessary items can make the trip much smoother.
Having the familiar items your baby is used to can help them feel more comfortable and secure in an unfamiliar environment. From toys to diapers and wipes to formula or baby food, it’s crucial to pack everything your baby needs to ensure they are well-fed, clean, and happy.
Additionally, bringing items like a stroller, portable crib or Pack ‘n Play, and baby carrier can make things like nap time or time outside much easier and enjoyable for you and your baby. Overall, taking the time to pack your baby’s essentials can make your Thanksgiving holiday much more enjoyable and stress-free.
And there you have it: the best ways to celebrate baby’s first Thanksgiving! From dressing up in cute outfits to capturing those cherished moments in photos, this milestone is unique for parents and babies alike.
While this Thanksgiving may have looked different than in previous years, the joy of celebrating your baby’s first Thanksgiving is one you will treasure forever.
Before you go, check out these related articles:
- Fun Family-Friendly Halloween Traditions
- Memorable Thanksgiving Traditions for Families
- Unique Christmas Traditions Your Kids Will Love!
- The Best Stocking Stuffers for Babies
- The Best Ways to Celebrate Baby’s First Halloween
What is one of your favorite ways to celebrate baby’s first Thanksgiving? I would love to know in the comments below!
