For a new mom of twins, the holiday season takes on a whole new dimension. From coordinating your multiple family visits to buying presents and sending out cards, the list is endless. Juggling the joys of parenthood with festive obligations can be challenging, but if you follow some of our tips, your first holiday with infant twins can be fun and rewarding too!
In this article, we’ll talk all about traveling for the holidays, easing the stress of shopping, navigating family gatherings, and creating new traditions.
Traveling during the holiday with infant or newborn twins
Newborns – 3 months:
My first Christmas with the twins was shockingly a breeze. They were little potatoes at just over a month old. My family all bought gifts for them, but they were low-key items like gift cards to Target and Amazon, some clothes, and other essentials. And one of the most treasured gifts of all: HELP with our twins.
My father-in-law and mother-in-law offered to fly in from out-of-state as soon as the twins were sent home from the NICU. They stayed with us for 3 weeks to help out. (My in-laws are also twin parents themselves–my husband has identical twin sisters.) To have this invaluable gift at the time was something money couldn’t buy.
I know not all new parents are fortunate enough to have help like this in the beginning around the holidays though. You may feel obligated to travel to see family or to host a big shindig at your house. In fact, our community here at Twiniversity had some opinions about this very same topic when someone asked, “Should I host the holidays with newborn twins?”
The decision is ultimately yours. No matter what you decide, do what feels right and manageable for you, and communicate where you stand with your loved ones. Hopefully, they don’t turn all Grinchmas on you, but if they do, don’t feel bad about upsetting friends or family who may not understand. You just brought two incredible little humans into the world, so no need to put pressure on yourself to “go big” for their first holiday season.
Should travel be in your future with an infant, be sure to check in with your pediatrician about when it’s safe to travel. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents avoid flights or train rides with newborns unless it’s truly necessary. This is due to their developing immune system and the increased risk of illness when exposed to viruses. In general though, traveling by car is considered safe.
3 – 6 months:
Twins at this age seem less fragile and may have some neck strength to start sitting up. This can make traveling for the holidays feel a little less daunting from that standpoint.
But at this stage, routines are crucial–not only for your twins’ development but for your own sanity. So try your best to plan your travel as best you can around naptimes and meal times to make it less stressful for you. I suppose the word try is key.
6 – 12 months:
At this age, your twins are likely a little more mobile. Maybe they’ve figured out crawling or scooting. Maybe they can sit up and bang toys. With this mobility comes some additional anxiety while traveling. Especially if you’ll be spending the holiday at a home that isn’t child-proofed (oh hey there, exposed brick fireplace).
Do your best to think through the physical space of wherever you’ll be spending the holidays. This would be a great time to utilize that playpen of yours and set up a safe area for your twins to play. Bringing a few engaging toys could also help entertain your little ones.
If you’re flying with twins at any stage between 3 months – 12 months, be sure to research what you’re allowed to take with you through the airport.
Christmas shopping for newborn and infant twins
Don’t shame me when I say this, but because my twins’ birthday lands in November, we used some of their unopened first birthday gifts as their Christmas gifts. Of course, we gave credit to the gift givers, but it made the holiday season less stressful on us.
And after all, keep in mind in these early years, little ones don’t yet grasp the concept of holidays and gifts. They are more entertained by the decorations and the tissue paper than the actual gifts anyway.
Twiniversity tip: Avoid glittery gift paper if possible unless you really want to find it everywhere after they play in the bags.
Every parent I’ve talked to with children under the age of two has echoed the same sentiment: the concept of opening gifts is not there yet. My twins actually just turned two recently, and they are still entertained by the gift bag itself and the tissue paper in it. We always have to show them there’s more in the bag.
So, moral of the story? Don’t feel pressured into splurging too much on gifts. Finances with newborn twins can already feel tight. So give yourself a break, and remember that your little ones are just happy to be spending time with you surrounded by the magic of the holiday spirit.
Navigating family gatherings
It is completely OKAY to skip the family festivities if you are just not up for them. Don’t let guilt get you. In fact, repeat after me, “I need to do what is best for my babies and for me.”
However, if you are up for some family holiday fun, remember to take care of yourself too. In the world of twins, keeping a schedule is often the key to survival. Just because it is the holidays and you are with family, don’t feel pressured into straying too far from your established schedule and routine. Instead, let your family in on your schedule so everyone is on the same page.
And remember, family gatherings are supposed to be fun for everyone. So, don’t hesitate to make sure the babies are included in that. Create a space for them where they can play, roll, and drool without being bothered or injured. Encourage your family to be a part of the action; they can take a turn with bottle duty, and you can have a few minutes to eat with both hands (what a luxury)!
Stressing out with your infant twins? Let us help! Learn what to expect in the first year with twins, including tips, tricks, and advice from real twin parents who have been there. Click here to learn more… and while you’re at it, check out our twin parent coaching services and Twiniversity shop!
Traditions with newborn and infant twins
In my opinion, this is the best part of the holidays: your traditions! This is a great time to reflect: What long-standing traditions will you continue, and are there any new traditions you want to implement?
My mother-in-law told me that once she gave her son an existing toy on Saint Nicholas’ Day (a tradition in her family where you leave your shoe outside your door, and Saint Nicholas leaves a present in your shoe). However, this ended with him remembering he already had that toy and getting upset about it. Needless to say, she never relived that tradition again. Thankfully, it’s a story they both laugh about now.
But take the time to think through which holiday traditions are meaningful to you that you’d like to share with your twins. Is it wearing the same pajamas on Christmas Eve? Making a donation to a local toy drive or food bank? Or is it feeding and hitting Tio de Nadal for gifts? Maybe baking something special?
Final thoughts on your first holiday with infant twins
Sure the holidays can be a bit more stressful with two little ones. But after you take the time to set holiday expectations, they can feel more doable and even magical.
So take a second to admire what you have accomplished in the year and remember what this time is really about. Relish in these memories, and hopefully, that stress will melt away and be replaced with something more. Call it joy, wonder, love…
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays!
Want more advice for making it through the holidays as a twin parent? Check these out too:
- Finding the Happy in Your Holidays by Creating New Traditions
- 6 Tips to a Happier Holiday for Mom
- How to Cope With Holiday Stress This Season
Stephanie Miller is the proud mom of twin cyclones Zach and Carter. Every day in the Miller house, you’ll find rooms turned over, floors covered in bits of Lego and puzzle pieces (mind your step), and the sound of “Brown Bear Brown Bear” read over and over, and over again. You’ll typically find her being used as the seat to reading time for the two bookworms, covered in bubble solution as they try to excel in their Bubble Wand skills, or being the voice to command Alexa for their favorite tunes. She and her husband are working on their traveling skills cause she can’t wait to show them the amazing world that is out there for them.
