‘I’m excited to experience Christmas through my baby’s eyes, even if he doesn’t understand it yet’

Most people remember the anticipation of childhood Christmases — the heady joy of anticipation, the magical wonder of it all and a general feeling of happiness for weeks in advance. This tends to wane a little during the teenage years and even more so into adulthood when there is a little less excitement and more of a lean into cooking, cleaning and shopping for all in sundry.

But as soon as children arrive on the scene, the joy of the festive season returns in abundance as parents get to experience the magic and awe through their child’s eyes. So there is no doubt that baby’s first Christmas is a special time as new parents enjoy the occasion and also look forward to future celebrations.

A new generation for family traditions

Ariana Dunne can attest to this as she and her husband Graham O’Reilly are over the moon to be getting ready for the festive season with their beautiful new baby, Raya, who was born in October.

“This Christmas is going to be very special,” she says. “It is only our second as a couple and we are really looking forward to have Santa in the house. We also have a dog called Molly who loves presents as much as anyone else, so there is going to be a lot of excitement.”

Ariana Dunne: ‘We feel very very lucky as she is a great baby, sleeps a lot and is very calm.’

“When I first moved into my apartment in December 2017, I didn’t have get a tree, then the next year I bought a very small 4ft one as Molly was just a puppy and I didn’t want her messing with it. I used that tree ever since, but this year, we are going to buy a big 7ft tree and we’re very excited about decorating it and getting some personalised decorations for Raya.

“And as Graham has two daughters, we are also looking forward to involving them and having an alternative Christmas with them as they will spend the day itself with their mom. 

So it will be nice making some new traditions for us all as a blended family as we all have a great relationship — so much so that Graham’s ex-wife cooked us a big spag bol dinner when we arrived home from the hospital with Raya, so everything is really amicable, which is lovely.”

Ariana, who runs her own coaching business called mindstream.ie, says that although her daughter is still only a few months old, Santa will definitely be visiting the house and she is looking forward to carrying out some of the traditions she enjoyed as a child but hasn’t had the opportunity to experience with her own family yet.

Ariana Dunne, her husband Graham and their baby Raya.

“Much like the song, I’m really looking forward to getting to kiss Santa Claus for real for the first time this year and I also can’t wait to be like Mrs Claus myself,” she laughs.

“In terms of presents, as Raya is still so small, Santa will probably bring her some little sensory gifts and books, and maybe some nice little outfits or something like that. But, I’m sure we’re not going to be spending a huge amount of money on Christmas presents for her this year, because she’s so young.”

Festive family fun

“But she has big cousins as well, who will add to the fun. My nephews, who are the closest in proximity are five and four and they’ve already started talking about Christmas and I’m sure will be teaching Raya all about what to expect and about Santa Claus. I’ve usually take them to the Christmas Santa experience so it will be really nice to do that with Raya as well.”

“Also, as I’m one of eight siblings, Christmas was always busy and we had a lot of traditions. 

Ariana Dunne and her baby Raya. ‘This Christmas is going to be very special.’

“The one I remember most is that my father used to get us to form a choo choo train every Christmas morning — dad would be at the helm, followed by my mom and then all the kids and we would go down the stairs in a train and we’d be singing Jingle Bells while dad would take us all around the house, before finally going into the room where Santa would have left all of our presents on individual chairs. 

“This is a tradition that my brothers and sisters have carried on with heir own families — so I’m looking forward to doing it too. Mind you, I’m not sure if I’ve told Graham yet.”

The new mother says that this Christmas is going to be extra special and while she will be relishing the time with her new baby, she and her family will also be remember those who are no long with them.

“Raya’s middle name is Robin as a nod to my father who passed away and we will be remembering him at Christmas,” she says. “Robins are very prevalent this time of year and their presence is a reminder that our loved ones are nearby — there are lots of them about outside the house, which is lovely and Raya is now our little Christmas robin as well.

Ariana Dunne and her husband Graham O’Reilly are over the moon to be getting ready for the festive season with their beautiful new baby, Raya, who was born in October.

“Although, she will be very much a part of her siblings’ lives, I know that she is going to be my only child, so she will be undoubtedly spoilt, but there’s nothing wrong with that. 

“We feel very very lucky as she is a great baby, sleeps a lot and is very calm. She is an absolute joy and so far so good, we’ve been very fortunate and are delighted with her. We are all looking forward to a very special Christmas.”

The centre of attention

Sinéad Moore and her partner Rajive Ellawala are also looking forward to their baby’s first Christmas. Joshua, who was born in July will be the centre of attention this year and his devoted parents are very excited.

“I have always loved Christmas, so I have made plenty of plans for our first one as a family,” says Sinéad, who is a sales manager for Trigon Hotels in Cork.

“I’ve already ordered a tiny Christmas jumper — I couldn’t resist — and have bought a few special festive things, like a customised bauble and stocking with his name on it and a personalised story book for his first Christmas.

Sinead Moore with her baby Joshua. ‘I can’t wait to see his reactions to everything.’

“Gifts-wise, we’re keeping it simple — some teddies and interactive toys to help with his development, because chances are, he’ll probably be more interested in the wrapping paper.

“We are going to go all out, even if we’re a bit sleep-deprived, it’s our first Christmas as a family of three, so why not celebrate properly? I want to take lots of photos — I’m all for matching Christmas pyjamas, though my partner needs a little more convincing — and spend the day with family, enjoying the fun and chaos of it all.”

Creating new traditions

The 33-year-old says that family traditions are important and she is looking forward to creating new ones for her baby son.

“I loved our little traditions growing up like placing the star on top of the tree on Christmas Eve, getting special Christmas PJs, visiting the crib on Christmas morning, and spending the day at our grandparents’ house,” she says.

Sinead Moore with her baby Joshua who will be the centre of attention this year.

“I want to pass all these on to Joshua, but also start our own new traditions, like a family photo by the tree every Christmas Eve. Like most Irish households we also watched the Late Late Toy Show, and this year it had a special place in my heart as it was on that night last year, I found out that I was pregnant.

“I am just so excited to be experiencing it all through Joshua’s eyes — even if he doesn’t understand it yet. I can’t wait to see his reactions to everything — the lights, the decorations, the gifts. It is the start of a new chapter for us to celebrate Christmas as a family. It’s going to be different, but in the best possible way.”