Is it just me, or does picking out baby’s first Christmas ornament feel like a major milestone moment for parents? No, it’s not on the same level as baby’s first word or steps, but it’s still something to look forward to!
When I was a child, the holiday season was grounded in tradition. One of which was receiving a new ornament every year. This was something I looked forward to every Christmas, and now I treasure the moment when I get to pull them out and take a walk down memory lane each year.
When my husband and I had our first daughter, it was easy to decide this was a tradition I wanted to continue. The hard part was deciding on the perfect ornament for her first Christmas.
I pondered my options and was left with a series of questions about the type of ornament I wanted our little girl to have:
Should I choose an elegant Lenox baby’s first Christmas ornament?
Was hand-making her first Christmas ornament a good idea?
Did I want something personalized with her name and the year?
Now there’s certainly no right or wrong answer to these questions, but it’s still something you’ll need to figure out.
Lucky for you, I fancy myself a professional shopper and have already started the research process. From DIY art projects to porcelain keepsakes, keep reading to learn more about the most popular Christmas tree ornaments for babies!
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Why Should You Get a First Christmas Ornament for Your Baby?
If you’re looking for unique gifts for a new mom or you’re a parent planning your first Christmas with a new baby, you might wonder whether a baby’s first Christmas ornament is a good idea.
While you probably won’t find a chapter on the importance of first Christmas ornaments in any parenting book, this can be a lovely purchase to commemorate a life-changing moment in your life.
Whether you buy a 1st Christmas ornament to recognize the beginning of your parenting journey, or you do it to create a sweet heirloom for your child, there is no harm in having a sweet keepsake to celebrate your little one and the joy they’ve brought to your life. They also make the best gifts for a baby shower or to celebrate a baby’s birth!
The great thing is there is no shortage of ornament options.
Whether you’re on the hunt for something personalized or a design that features your favorite childhood character, the lists below include some fan-favorites you’ll definitely want to see!
Your child will love decorating the tree with their own special ornaments as they grow.
Baby’s First Christmas Photo Ornaments
1. Photo Personalized First Christmas Ornament
Like many parents, if I’m given a chance to put my baby’s photo on something, there’s a good chance I’m going to do it!
For others like me, this adorable first Christmas ornament features an easy-to-use space for a photo of your own little elf. Who doesn’t love to have an ornament personalized in this way??
One of the other great things about this ornament is that it’s very budget-friendly, making it an ideal choice for a baby shower gift.
2. Rustic My First Christmas Photo Ornament
This precious ornament has the perfect feel for parents wanting to adopt the modern farmhouse vibe that’s so popular right now. Put your own photo of baby inside to have an adorable, easily customizable photo frame that also looks beautiful on your tree.
We especially love that it’s in a wooden frame, making it much harder to break than many ornaments.
3. 2022 Snowman Christmas Ornament
This cute, colorful option is carefully handmade and adorably childlike. I can see kids loving hanging this one themselves once they’re a little older.
Plus, it includes the date which makes it an excellent option as a first Christmas ornament for your new baby girl or boy.
4. Baby’s First Christmas Photo Ornament with Birth Stats
Imagine the fun of having your child hang their own ornament on the tree when they’re older and getting to talk to them about what it looks like to weigh 6 pounds, or be only 20 inches long. This birth stats ornament will help create special moments like this.
Be sure to include all requested information on the seller’s page to ensure your ornament turns out exactly the way you want it!
5. Traditional Wooden Customizable First Christmas Ornament
We adore the traditional feel of this hand-painted first Christmas ornament and the fact that it’s still customizable while keeping a sweet, charming look.
You can personalize several elements on the product, including your baby’s name, ornament color, and embellishments.
Baby’s First Christmas Keepsake Ornaments
If you’re in the market for a collectible baby’s 1st Christmas ornament or something truly memorable, the options below are right for you.
1. Baby’s First Christmas Footprint Ornament
This ornament works perfectly with a footprint or a handprint. It’s a precious keepsake, and the price is right. Just order this kit, which comes with all the impression materials you need, plus the bow and hanger to make it a beautiful ornament. Take baby’s handprint or footprint, and you’ve customized a meaningful decoration for your tree.
No baking necessary.
2. Handmade Customizable Acrylic Keepsake Ornament
Stunning, sleek, elegant – all words to describe this gorgeous acrylic keepsake ornament from Etsy!
It’s also fully customizable, so you can ensure it fits your holiday aesthetic.
3. Lenox Baby’s First Christmas Ornament
Each year, Lenox puts out its annual first Christmas ornament for babies. This is one of the most popular options among parents (and gift-givers!) everywhere.
Made from beautiful porcelain, I love this option because it’s not only a brand-name collectible, but the delicate design will fit seamlessly into any holiday decor.
You can also recommend it to your family in terms of non-toy Christmas gifts if they are looking to purchase something for baby.
4. Hallmark Keepsake Baby’s First Christmas Ornament
I couldn’t make a list of my favorite baby’s first Christmas ornaments without including this little gem, as it’s the exact ornament I chose for my oldest daughter on her first Christmas.
Much like Lenox, Hallmark puts out a collection of first ornaments every year.
While some more playful Hallmark options are also popular, such as a Mickey Mouse ornament, this one has a more classic design and higher-quality materials.
5. Snow Baby Christmas Ornament from Holiday Treasures
This precious baby’s first Christmas ornament from Holiday Treasures is customizable to the baby’s name, while still maintaining the fun feel of Christmas from our own childhoods.
The precious snow baby riding on a sleigh looks like something that would’ve been on my own Christmas tree as a kid, and I’d love to keep that whimsical feel for my little one.
Available in pink, blue, and a gender-neutral option of red and green holiday colors.
First Christmas Ornaments that Feature Classic Characters
No matter how many years or decades pass, certain characters are still staples for baby-related items. Here are just a few character ornaments for baby’s first Christmas.
1. Winnie the Pooh – Baby’s First Christmas
Whether you’re a fan of the classic illustration version or the Disney alternative, Winnie the Pooh is a landmark character who has stayed popular for generations. I’m in love with this Pooh Bear ornament from Lennox that highlights the version from the traditional stories.
2. Mickey or Minnie 1st Christmas Ornament
Is your little one a Minnie or Mickey fan? Or are you a Disney family? If so, this rattle ornament from the Disney stores is sure to make their holiday dreams come true!
Something I really like about this ornament is that it’s playful enough for babies and kids, while still presenting a chic appearance that will look beautiful on the branches of your tree.
3. Precious Moments Ornament for Baby’s 1st Christmas
While Precious Moments isn’t as popular as it used to be, there’s still something nostalgic about their ornaments.
If you’re a collector of these products, you’ll love their Christmas tree ornament for babies.
4. Peter Rabbit First Christmas Personalized Ornament
Anything Peter Rabbit is always a favorite of mine – I mean, come on, he’s so cute! If you feel the same, then your search for the ideal baby Christmas ornament is about to end!
Keptsake on Etsy has created a brilliant personalized ornament that any Peter Rabbit fan will surely swoon over.
Personalized Ornaments for Baby’s First Christmas
Many of the first Christmas ornaments on this list are customizable, but these are some of our very favorites that will be specific to your precious little one. Using your baby’s birth stats is a wonderful way to capture the magic of their first year.
1. Wooden Engraved Baby’s First Christmas Ornament
We love the sweet simplicity of this precious ornament. Because it has so many sides, there are tons of customization options, so it can be a keepsake for the ages.
Personalized baby’s name, birth stats, the year, and where the family lives.
We especially love this for military families who move around a lot.
2. Clay First Christmas Ornament
We love a simple ornament, and this beautiful clay baby’s first Christmas ornament is the epitome of simplicity and elegance.
We love how you can include baby’s name in such a prominent way, but the ornament feels timeless.
Not to mention the reviews are amazing!
3. Wooden Onesie Ornament with Birth Stats
This precious handmade ornament is shaped like a onesie and includes baby’s name and all major birth stats–weight, date, year, and time of birth.
We especially love this as a small token to go with a larger gift for new parents.
Just tie it on as the gift tag; parents will love it, and it’ll become a beautiful commemorative ornament on their tree!
4. Personalized Family Christmas Ornament
What better way to honor a new baby than to showcase the entire family in its new form? That’s what we love about this special ornament.
Select the people (and pets!) in the family and their ages. You can customize the skin color, hair color, clothes, and even choose from over 50 dog breed options and more than 15 cat breed options.
This is also a special ornament for a family just before baby is born, so you can gift another family ornament next year showing how they’ve grown.
Unbreakable Baby’s First Christmas Ornaments
Let’s be real for a minute here. We all love the cute, sweet, and traditional “baby’s first Christmas ornaments” that companies make as keepsakes.
But we also know that babies grow into toddlers, who grow into children, and both of these groups have an impressive knack for breaking things.
One easy way to be sure your memories get preserved is by purchasing ornaments for babies that are made from materials that are less likely to break! We say not likely intentionally because something could still go wrong – for example, a cute, fluffy ornament might look like a great snack to the family dog.
But by getting an ornament that won’t drop to the floor and shatter, you’re seriously minimizing the risk!
1. Wooden Custom Engraved Baby’s First Christmas Ornament
Would you like to include all of the important information about your baby’s birth on their first Christmas ornament?
Then you’re going to love this custom-engraved product!
It features space for your little one’s name, date and time of birth, height, and weight, and it’s made of wood, so it’ll be safe if it falls off your tree.
2. Sock Monkey Baby’s First Christmas Ornament
We’re totally obsessed with this precious little guy! This soft, sock monkey ornament will look darling on your tree, and for years to come, it’ll remind you of that year when your baby was so tiny.
Just don’t let the animals get it!
3. Letter Block First Christmas Ornament
When we think of baby toys, blocks are among the first things that come to mind. This sweet ornament brings the idea of a letter block to your tree, using the letter of your baby’s name on one side with full customization all around.
It’s a beautiful, wooden (so hard to break!) 3D reminder of baby’s first Christmas.
4. Personalized Wire Art 1st Christmas Ornament
Made from your choice of gold or silver wire, this baby carriage first Christmas ornament is too cute!
The wire is incredibly sturdy, so you can feel confident it will keep its shape if it falls off the tree or gets used as a holiday season projectile by your little one.s
Rainbow Baby Christmas Ornaments
Are you celebrating a rainbow baby this holiday season? Then why not choose a first Christmas ornament that represents your beautiful blessing?
Sometimes people struggle with the best rainbow baby gift ideas for expectant mothers. Ornaments like the ones listed below are a beautiful way to celebrate new arrivals while acknowledging the little one or ones their family has lost before.
1. Personalized Wooden Rainbow Ornament
I’m in love with these wooden rainbow baby ornaments from Etsy! Made from gorgeous birch wood, these make great gifts for anyone who’s recently delivered a rainbow baby or for parents who are looking for an adorable way to celebrate the new bundle of joy in their lives.
They have several customization options, including four different color pallets you can pick from.
2. Ceramic Rainbow First Christmas Ornament
With its boho style and beautiful personalization, this product is one of my favorite choices when friends and family are looking for rainbow baby gift ideas.
3. Resin Rainbow Ornament with Cloud Name Plate
If you’re looking for something with a more unique spin on the traditional rainbow ornament, this product is sure to impress. I love the resin rainbow design at the top and the customizable cloud underneath.
An ornament like this would even look fantastic in a rainbow baby announcement photo shoot.
4. Rainbow Baby Christmas Ornament
When I think of rainbows, I don’t necessarily imagine “traditional holiday decor.”
If you agree, you’ll be surprised to see how this precious rainbow baby first Christmas ornament celebrates your new arrival while still paying homage to the most wonderful time of year!
Baby Christmas Craft Ideas: Why Not Make Your Own Ornament?
If you’re looking for a personalized baby’s first Christmas ornament, why not consider making it yourself?
There are lots of great ideas for handmade first Christmas ornaments for babies that are popular among parents and grandparents. And thankfully, unlike some other baby Christmas craft ideas, these don’t involve painting random body parts.
Sidebar: How freaking cute are these “Mistletoes?” To the brilliant parents that successfully made this happen, I applaud you.
If you’re in the market for simple homemade Christmas ornaments in honor of your little one’s first big holiday, there are a couple of options we love.
Finding the perfect ornament for baby’s first Christmas doesn’t have to be difficult. Don’t forget that your child will love whatever you pick!
1. Salt Dough Handprint – Personalized Baby’s First Christmas Ornament
There’s a reason salt dough handprint ornaments are a staple on Pinterest boards–they’re easy, cheap, and one of the best baby Christmas craft ideas around!
Finding the right recipe, however, is essential.
My sister and I decided to make our own baby’s first Christmas ornaments with salt dough and apparently didn’t pay attention to the recipe reviews. No sooner than we pressed our sweet little ones’ feet into the clay, they immediately dissolved.
If you’re looking for a great salt dough recipe you can trust, we love this one from Wholefully.com that makes approximately 30 ornaments:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup table salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- Glitter, paint, and ribbon, for decoration
- Polyurethane spray, for preservation
- Preheat oven to 300°F
- In a large bowl, mix together the salt and flour. Then slowly add in the water, stirring the entire time. Once the ingredients are mixed together, knead the dough with your hands for around five minutes until it’s soft.
- Place half of the salt dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out until it’s approximately ¼” thick.
- Press your little one’s hand evenly onto a section of the dough. Cut around their handprint with a glass jar or cookie cutter.
- If you’d like to add their name or other details, this can be done at this point. Don’t forget to add a hole to put ribbon, twine, or string through to hang your ornament.
- Once the ornament is finished, bake in for around 1-hour, or until the dough is hard.
- Allow it to cool and finish decorating with glitter or paint. To further preserve the salt dough, you can add a coat of polyurethane spray.
Tip: You’ll have enough dough for up to 30 ornaments – don’t be afraid to make extra!
These handprint baby’s first Christmas ornaments make adorable keepsakes the whole family will love. Plus, if one happens to break, you’ll have a back-up.
2. Hospital Scrapbook First Christmas Ornament
If you’re anything like me, you have a hard time getting rid of things, like anything.
I’m not going to say I’m a full-fledged hoarder, but I do have a tenderness for “sentimental” items.
Making a hospital keepsake ornament is a great way to put some of those delivery mementos to good use.
What’s even better, however, is that this ornament is as easy as 1,2,3!
Here’s what you do:
- Buy a fillable plastic globe
- Decide what items you want to fill it with and put them in
- Tie a ribbon through the top for hanging
- You’re done!
Like I said – easy!
You can fill your ornament with anything you’d like, but some great suggestions include baby’s first hat, hospital bracelets, nametags, confetti, etc.
3. Salt Dough Fingerprint Christmas Tree Ornament
Now that we’ve talked about how to make salt dough in the previous section, you’ll have no problems creating this popular DIY baby’s first Christmas Ornament!
Simply make your dough and use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the design. Then, gently press your little ones fingerprints across the tree to use as “ornaments.” After you’ve baked this fun ornament and let it dry, use your favorite paint colors to create a special keepsake ornament your family will treasure for years to come.
4. Painted Handprint Ornament for Baby
If you’re anything like me, arts and crafts might not be your specialty. For those of us with creativity challenges, this DIY baby ornament is as easy as 1,2,3! It basically just takes a little bit of shopping and baby-wrangling!
Go to the store and pick out any smooth, round ornament. Then, grab some non-toxic finger paint!
From there, all you’ll do is dip your little one’s hand in paint and carefully place it on the ornament. Be sure to let it dry completely afterwards! If you have a Cricut machine, or know someone who does, you can also add baby’s name or birth year for additional customization.
One thing I love about these is that they also make easy and affordable family gifts if you want to give everyone a present to commemorate your baby’s first holiday season.
Trust me, your parents will love this sweet memento from their grandbaby!
Jumpstart Your Holiday Traditions with a Beautiful Ornament for Your Little One
No matter what you choose, an elegant Lenox baby’s first Christmas ornament or a hand-made ornament, you’ll appreciate having something special to immortalize the memory of your child joining the world just in time for the holidays.
Decide what you’re looking for in an ornament, and then start your search for the perfect option. I can promise you’ll find something you love.
Have you purchased a baby’s first Christmas ornament for your child? What did you choose?
Other Holiday Articles
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- Christmas traditions for kids for families who don’t do Santa
- Kids holiday party ideas
- Kid friendly New Years Eve party ideas
- Valentine’s Day party games
- St. Patrick’s Day for kids
