Christmas/ birthday
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Perhaps try to focus more on setting your traditions together. When I look back at our family Christmas, I have no idea what gifts I got but I do remember some things we did together. It will be special without spending a load. Some low cost/free suggestions: A photo together by a Christmas tree. A ribbon cut to their height and put in a clear bauble to hang on the tree. Going for a walk to see all the lights/visit a garden centre for their displays. Let them choose one tree decoration every year. Watching a Christmas film together. Donate an unwanted toy before Xmas. Making paper tree decorations, or those paper link chains. Icing biscuits with those ready made tubes.
Charity shops& Vinted for presents? Xx
Defo charity shops! I always use them for my girl as she’s into and out off toys like crazy
Another suggestion that I meant to add originally, is making cards for people using their hand and footprints, or just making one for you as a keepsake. Upside down hand as a Christmas tree, upside down foot as a snowman, hand the right way up for a reindeer and antlers. You just need some paper and some paints
I make a memory video for my children for each birthday - a compilation of 80 ish 3-10 second videos, with all the best bits of the year. It’s free to do, and I know they will love it as they get older. My three year old loves watching his ones!
If you have a Bear Factory near you, they have a "pay the price of your age" on your exact birth day. Its a specific bear so you cant choose one but could take LO there on their birthday and pay £1 for a birthday bear?
Firstly, you’re doing amazing! Do your own photoshoot at home with a christmasy outfit or props, I’m sure any pictures you take of your baby will be absolutely adorable 🥰 I plan to take my son to check out all the Christmas markets and lights, often many choir or street carolers around, it’ll be such a free sensory experience for them! In terms of birthday, if you’re planning to host a party, have people bring a dish to share (potluck style) and you can DIY decorate around. Do you have friends with kids? Perhaps instead of them buying a gift, they can pass on a toy/item their kid doesn’t use anymore. Like you said, they won’t remember gifts or even know what they are. All they’ll remember is the love they feel in that moment you celebrate with them. And that’s completely free!