Baby's First Christmas Messages: 110 Wishes to Write

The best baby's first Christmas messages use the baby's name, say one true thing about who they are right now, and add the date. That is about 25 words, and it is written for two readers: the parents, who read it on the day, and the grown-up the baby becomes, who finds it years later. Below are 110 baby's first Christmas messages, sorted by how old the baby is on Christmas morning and by who is writing — parents, grandparents, godparents and friends — plus card, ornament and photo-caption lines. For older children, see Christmas messages for kids.

What do you write for a baby's first Christmas?#

A message to a baby is really a letter to the future. Three parts make it worth keeping:

The detail is the part parents treasure, because babies change so fast that nobody remembers which month the giggling started. The date matters for the same reason: a first-Christmas card without a year is a puzzle by the time the baby is old enough to ask about it.

The name matters more than it looks. Mandel, Jusczyk and Pisoni reported in Psychological Science (1995) that babies only four and a half months old already listen longer to their own name than to other names. When the message is read aloud, the baby hears the one word that is already theirs.

Short baby's first Christmas messages#

These short first-Christmas wishes fit a gift tag, a stocking label or the corner of a photo card. Each is under 15 words; add the baby's name and the year.

1. Merry first Christmas, little one. The world is brighter with you in it.
2. Welcome to Christmas, sweet baby. It's been waiting for you.
3. Your very first Christmas, and already the best present under the tree.
4. Tiny toes, twinkling lights and a whole lot of love.
5. Merry first Christmas to the newest star in our sky.
6. One small baby, one big family, one very merry Christmas.
7. May your first Christmas be soft, sparkly and full of cuddles.
8. Little hands, big wonder. Merry first Christmas.
9. Santa's newest fan. Merry first Christmas!
10. You are the reason this Christmas feels brand new.
11. Merry first Christmas to someone very small and very loved.
12. First stocking, first snow, first everything.
13. Our hearts grew three sizes the day you arrived.
14. Wishing you a lifetime of Christmases, starting with this one.
15. Cosy, cuddled and adored. Merry first Christmas, baby.

Baby's first Christmas messages by age#

A baby born in December and a baby born in January have very different first Christmases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes milestone checklists of what most babies are doing at each age. Use the one closest to the baby's age on the day, and the message describes the real baby instead of a generic one.

A December newborn's first Christmas#

A baby who is days or weeks old does very little except be the centre of attention. Write about the arrival itself.

16. You arrived just in time for Christmas, and you're the best surprise this family ever had.
17. Two weeks old and already the most important guest at Christmas dinner.
18. We spent Christmas Eve counting your fingers instead of presents. Ten. Perfect.
19. You slept through your first Christmas, and we watched you do it.
20. Born under the winter stars, loved from the very first breath.

Two to four months old#

By two months, the CDC lists smiling when you talk to or smile at the baby, looking at your face and seeming happy to see you. The first social smile is the detail to capture.

21. You smiled at Grandpa for the first time on Christmas morning, and he hasn't stopped talking about it.
22. Your favourite thing about Christmas was not the lights. It was your mama's face.
23. You cooed at the carols, so we're calling you our littlest singer.
24. Every time we said your name, you smiled. Best Christmas present ever.
25. You looked at the tree lights like they were magic. To you, they were.

Around six months old#

By six months, the CDC's checklist includes laughing, knowing familiar people, liking to look at themselves in a mirror and blowing raspberries. This is the giggling Christmas.

26. You laughed so hard at the wrapping paper that we forgot to open the presents.
27. Merry first Christmas to the baby who blew raspberries at Santa.
28. You knew every face at the table and smiled at each one of them.
29. Six months old and already the life of the party.
30. Your first Christmas laugh is now the best sound in this house.

Around nine months old#

By nine months, the CDC lists looking up when you call the baby's name, smiling or laughing at peek-a-boo, sitting without support and lifting their arms to be picked up.

31. You sat up by the tree all by yourself, like you'd been waiting all year to see it.
32. We played peek-a-boo behind the presents for an hour. You won every round.
33. Every time someone called your name, you turned around and beamed.
34. You lifted your arms to everyone at the party. Everyone said yes.
35. Merry first Christmas to our little explorer, who found every bauble on the bottom branch.

Almost one year old#

By one year, the CDC lists waving bye-bye, pulling up to stand, walking while holding on to furniture and calling a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name.

36. You pulled yourself up on the sofa to get a better look at Christmas. Nearly one, and unstoppable.
37. You waved at the Christmas tree and said "bye-bye" every night. We'll miss that.
38. Your first word was "mama," just in time for Christmas.
39. Cruising round the coffee table with a candy cane — that was your first Christmas.
40. Nearly one year of you, and every day has felt like Christmas.

Baby's first Christmas messages from Mom and Dad#

A parent's first-Christmas message is the one the child will most want to read one day. Write it as a letter: what the year was like, what you noticed, what you hope.

41. Dear baby, we didn't know Christmas could feel like this until you were here.
42. Your first Christmas was our first Christmas as parents. We learned everything from you.
43. Mommy hung your stocking first. It's the smallest one, and it's the most important.
44. Daddy read you "The Night Before Christmas" and you fell asleep on his chest. Perfect ending.
45. We used to stay up late wrapping presents. Now we stay up late watching you sleep.
46. Of all the gifts we've ever been given, you are the one we'll never stop being thankful for.
47. You won't remember the tree or the food or the visitors. We'll remember all of it for you.
48. One day you'll ask what your first Christmas was like. It was quiet, warm and full of you.
49. To our son: you are the gift that made us a family. Merry first Christmas.
50. To our daughter: you are the gift that made us a family. Merry first Christmas.

Baby's first Christmas messages from grandparents#

Grandparents can write the long view — the family the baby has joined, and the Christmases still to come. There are more in the list of Christmas messages for grandchildren.

51. You've joined a family that loves Christmas loudly. Get ready.
52. Grandma has knitted your first stocking. There will be many more.
53. We watched your mommy have her first Christmas once. Now we get to watch yours.
54. Grandpa is saving the best spot on his lap for story time. It's yours forever.
55. Welcome to your first Christmas, little one. The cookie recipes will be yours one day.
56. The newest branch of our family tree is the most beautiful one.

Messages from aunts, uncles, godparents and friends#

These suit a card or a gift tag from the people around the baby — the fun aunt, the proud uncle, the godparent making a promise, the friends who visited with a casserole.

57. Merry first Christmas from your favourite aunt. Your stocking will always be overfilled.
58. Your uncle promises to teach you every Christmas song, badly.
59. As your godmother, I promise to love you, pray for you and always bring snacks.
60. As your godfather, I promise to be there — at every Christmas and every other day.
61. Merry first Christmas, little one. Your mom and dad are going to give you the best life.
62. You don't know us yet, but we've loved you since the day you were born.
63. To our favourite tiny human: welcome to the merriest time of the year.
64. Merry first Christmas! We can't wait to watch you grow into your Christmas jumper.

Baby's first Christmas card messages to the new parents#

When the card is addressed to the whole new family, write to the parents as much as to the baby. New parents are tired; a line that sees them is the kind one.

65. Merry Christmas to a brand-new family. You two are naturals.
66. Your first Christmas as a family — we hope it's slow, sweet and full of naps.
67. Congratulations on your first Christmas with your little one. Our babysitting offer stands.
68. You made it through the first months. That deserves a very merry Christmas.
69. Merry Christmas to new parents who are doing an amazing job, even when it doesn't feel like it.
70. Wishing your little family its first of many happy Christmases together.
71. The best present under your tree is wearing a onesie. Merry Christmas!
72. We'll bring dinner on the 27th. You just enjoy that baby.

Baby boy and baby girl first Christmas messages#

A short set for a card or a caption that wants to say "he" or "she".

73. Merry first Christmas to our little man. Santa's going to love you.
74. Our baby boy, our best gift, our first Christmas as four.
75. Little prince of the Christmas tree — Merry first Christmas, son.
76. He's small, he's sleepy and he's the best thing about December.
77. Merry first Christmas to our little girl. You make everything sparkle.
78. Our baby girl, wrapped in a blanket and all our love.
79. Sugar, spice and Christmas lights — Merry first Christmas, sweet girl.
80. She's tiny, she's loud and she's the best present we ever got.

Baby's first Christmas ornament messages#

An ornament is hung every December, so a first-Christmas ornament is often the most-read message the child ever gets. Keep it to one or two short lines so it stays readable.

81. Baby's First Christmas — Noah — 2026
82. Our first Christmas as a family of three
83. Mia's First Christmas — Loved beyond measure
84. First Christmas, forever loved
85. Hello, world. Merry Christmas.
86. Our little miracle's first Christmas
87. Born in June, loved by December
88. First Christmas — with Mommy and Daddy

Put the year on the ornament, not just on the box: boxes are thrown away, ornaments come out every year for decades.

Baby's first Christmas captions for photos#

Photo captions live on phones and in albums. A real detail ages better than a pun.

89. First Christmas, first snow, first time eating wrapping paper.
90. Our favourite present came early.
91. Officially on Santa's list.
92. Too little to know what Christmas is. Big enough to steal the show.
93. Most wonderful time of the year, most wonderful baby in the world.
94. Tree: decorated. Baby: unimpressed. Parents: very impressed.
95. Feliz Navidad from our newest family member.
96. Merry and bright — and very, very small.

Religious baby's first Christmas messages#

For families whose Christmas begins with the Nativity, a baby's first Christmas has a special echo.

97. On the night we celebrate a baby in a manger, we give thanks for you.
98. May the Christ Child bless you on your very first Christmas.
99. A baby changed the world once. You've changed ours.
100. God gave us the greatest gift twice: once in Bethlehem, and once in you.
101. May your first Christmas be the start of a lifetime of faith, hope and love.
102. We thank God for your first Christmas and pray for many more.

For a christening, baptism or naming day that falls near Christmas, Welcome, Welcome, Little Noah! — your baby's name goes in the title — is a gentle keepsake with a blessing at golden hour and no religious symbols, so it suits families of any faith.

Messages for a first Christmas after a long road#

Some babies arrive after a hospital stay, a loss, a long adoption wait or a pregnancy that was hard all the way. The first Christmas carries all of that. These lines name it gently.

103. After a hospital stay: You spent your first weeks being so brave. Now you're home for Christmas.
104. A rainbow baby: We waited, and we hoped, and here you are. Merry first Christmas.
105. An adoption: Your first Christmas with us. Our family was waiting for you all along.
106. A long wait: We wished for you for so many Christmases. Now you're here for this one.
107. Far from family: Your grandparents are far away, but they're watching every smile on video.

For a child who came home through adoption, Your Child's Welcome-Home Box celebrates Family Day — the day a child came home — with balloons, a heart-shaped key and no sad "before".

Messages to write inside a baby's first Christmas book#

A message written inside a book is the one the child is most likely to find again, because books stay on the shelf. These are written for that later reader.

108. This was your first Christmas book. We read it to you before you could hold it.
109. When you're big enough to read this alone, remember we read it to you first.
110. For the baby who made our first Christmas as a family. Love, Mom and Dad, December 2026.

Why write a Christmas message to a baby who can't read?#

A message to a baby is read aloud now and read alone later. Both readings matter.

Babies are listening from the start. The CDC lists taking turns making sounds by six months — the beginning of conversation. A message read aloud, with the baby's name in it, is part of that back-and-forth.

Reading from birth is recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics' 2024 technical report on literacy promotion supports parents in reading with their children from birth, and reviews the evidence that reading with young children supports language, cognitive and social-emotional development. A first-Christmas book with a message page gives that reading a reason to happen every December.

It is a time capsule. Parents of a baby forget the details fast — which month the laughing started, what the baby wore, who held them first. A dated message keeps those details for the child, who will one day want to know.

Where should a baby's first Christmas message go so it lasts?#

A hardcover picture book is for lap reading rather than chewing — keep it on the shelf, and bring it down for a story together.

How do I put a first-Christmas message inside a book made for my baby?#

Every KindFable book has a message page. In the printed book it sits on its own page under the heading "A message for" and the baby's name, followed by your words, who they are from and the date. If it is left empty, the page stays ruled so you can write by hand.

1. Pick the story. Your Child's Very First Christmas is made for babies up to two.
2. Add your baby's name and age at /create, so the words fit a baby.
3. Upload one clear photo of your baby and tick the consent box. Your baby becomes the character on every page, with the same face from cover to last page.
4. Tell the story box what makes your baby yours — the knitted toy they hold, the dog who guards the cot — and choose an art style.
5. See the cover before you pay. The painted cover is free to look at; nothing is charged until you decide.
6. Write your message. When the book is ready, open it in the reader and tap "Write a message for" your baby, type your words, add who it is from and the date, and save.
7. Choose the hardcover for the keepsake shelf. It comes with narration and a song of the story, and the digital book is ready the same day. Prices are on one page.

The book stays in your dashboard: reread it in the page-flip reader, play the narration as a bedtime routine, and reorder a printed copy for the grandparents. A grandparent or godparent who wants to give one can make it together with the parents, since a child's photo is always added by their parent or guardian.

Which books suit a baby's first Christmas?#

• Your Child's Very First Christmas — the snow waited, the tree waited, the star waited, a stocking with your baby's name waited: everyone was waiting for someone very small. A hushed keepsake for ages 0 to 2.
• Welcome, Welcome, Little Noah! — with your baby's name in the title, an owl, a lamb and a bunny welcome a brand-new baby from sunrise to starlight. For a December arrival, a christening or a naming day.
• Peek-a-Boo, Little Cloud! — big shapes, big words and one giggle on every page, for the nine-month-old who has just discovered peek-a-boo.
• Your Child and the Birthday Moon — for the baby whose first birthday comes soon after their first Christmas.

Here is the first one, read in full. Emma is the sample baby; your copy stars yours.

Look inside

A book from our shop · ages 0–2

Your Child's Very First Christmas

The snow waited. The tree waited. The star waited. A robin on the sill, a knitted reindeer in the attic box, a stocking with your baby's name on it — everyone was waiting for someone very small. A hushed, tender keepsake of your little one's very first Christmas.

Shown here starring Emma. Yours is painted with your own child’s face and name on every page, from $39 — and you see the pages before you pay.

Personalize this bookSee the personalized first christmas book

The photo they uploaded

The character we drew

Written from this story — not a stock track with a name dropped in. Free with every book.

How the story begins

1. 1It was Emma's very first Christmas. And everyone had been waiting.
2. 2The snow waited. Soft. Soft. Soft. Emma watched. Pip watched too.
3. 3The tree waited. Up, up, UP it went! Emma went up too. (A little bit.)

The rest of the story is in Your Child's Very First Christmas.

The words to the song

[Verse 1]
The snow was waiting, soft and slow,
The tree was waiting, row on row,
The star was waiting, high and bright,
For someone small on Christmas night.

[Chorus]
Everyone was waiting,
Waiting just for you.
Everyone was waiting —
And then you came. You do.

[Verse 2]
A robin waited on the sill,
He sang his song through cold and chill.
A reindeer, knitted, in a box,
Waited longer than the clocks.

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
The stocking hung there, red and bare,
It had your name embroidered there.
The cookies waited on the plate
(The reindeer found it hard to wait).

[Chorus]

[Outro]
So close your eyes, the snow is deep,
The robin's tucked up, fast asleep.
Merry first Christmas, Emma dear —
We waited, and at last you're here.

For the rest of the first year, the guide to a personalized newborn book covers what to put in a book for someone who cannot read it yet, reading to your baby covers what to read month by month, and the first birthday book gift guide picks up where Christmas leaves off.

What are the most common mistakes in baby's first Christmas messages?#

• Leaving out the year. "Baby's First Christmas" with no year is a mystery in a decade. Write it on the card, the ornament and the book.
• Writing for the adults only. A card that only congratulates the parents misses the chance to write the baby's first letter.
• Being generic. "Cute as a button" describes every baby. "You laughed at the dog's tail all through dinner" describes yours.
• Too much pressure. Skip "you'll be a doctor one day." Wish them happiness, kindness and love — let them choose the rest.
• Forgetting the new parents. A line for exhausted parents is often the one they remember.
• Leaving it in a card only. First-year cards go missing. Put the message somewhere kept.