Our First Christmas and New Year with Kids: How Parenthood Changes the Holidays

We’ve now passed our second Christmas and New Year’s Eve with our twin boys, and what a journey it’s been!

The first Christmas with them felt like stepping into a magical little world I’d been dreaming of since I was a child.

The first Christmas dinner together, tiny children’s Christmas outfits, and unwrapping gifts…. everything felt special.

With my husband Yaw, we decided the boys had to get at least one gift that made a sound.

At the time, we didn’t care much about the type of sound.

For their Christmas outfits, I picked two pairs of stylish trousers, red vests that read “My First Christmas 2016”, tiny socks, and matching hats.

They waited patiently in the wardrobe until the Big Day, and oh, they looked perfect.

Honestly?

As parents, we often do these things more for ourselves than for our children.

But there’s something magical about putting this energy and care into creating memories that feel like they’ll last forever.

Our Holiday Traditions: Slovak + English Christmas

Since I’m Slovak and Yaw is English, we started a family tradition of celebrating double Christmas.

That means two Christmas dinners and two gift sessions, one on December 24th (Slovak style) and one on December 25th (English style).

It’s hectic, yes, but so memorable.

And thank goodness we only have one tree!

The first Christmas dinner with the boys was unforgettable.

The boys sat in high chairs for the first time, mesmerised by the table setting and decorations.

Feeding Henry that evening, I kept thinking about how far we’d come since their birth.

The mix of nostalgia and joy hit me hard, it’s a memory brighter than any professional photo could capture.

Memories have a funny power.

Even the hardest experiences can become nostalgic, and the good ones shine even brighter in our minds, like a graphic artist enhancing colours in a painting.

How Christmas Feels Now as a Mum

Before becoming a mother, Christmas felt completely different.

It was about relaxing, socialising, and enjoying myself.

But now, it’s about seeing the holiday through my children’s eyes.

Their joy transforms the season into something magical.

And at the time I’m writing this post, our boys aren’t even two years old yet!

I can only imagine how intense these moments will feel as they grow.

Our New Year’s Eve Experiences with the Boys

The first New Year’s Eve with the boys was chaotic.

They fell asleep late, and Yaw and I had to force ourselves to stay awake until midnight.

We watched a movie to stay awake, clinked our champagne glasses at twelve, and then collapsed into bed.

The second year was a little different, we even lit sparklers at midnight!

Watching the flow of life and the changes children bring is fascinating.

Not so long ago, the holidays were for unwinding in a pub, drinking, and enjoying carefree nights.

When I got pregnant, I couldn’t imagine life without these “privileges.”

At first, it felt like motherhood would take away my freedom completely.

Parenthood Brings Unexpected Joy

Yes, I no longer go to pubs every week.

I don’t smoke anymore, and one glass of wine is enough for me.

But for the first time in my life, I feel a genuine, deep happiness.

The change I feared has actually balanced my life and given it direction.

Sure, I sometimes miss the worry-free nights, but nothing compares to the happiness I feel as a mother.

How did this change happen?

It’s not the change itself that’s scary, it’s our fear.

Once you step past that fear, everything you worried about melts away, and your old life looks different from a new, brighter perspective.

Finding Happiness in the Chaos

I know future New Year’s Eves will involve one glass of sparkling wine, lots of cooking, cleaning, and the usual parenting chaos.

I know Christmas holidays will still be exhausting.

But I also know I will be happy, despite the children’s cries, the tiredness, the stress, and even the occasional migraine.

True happiness is found in these little family moments.

My children, my family, and the memories we create together make my life miraculous… not just at Christmas, but every single day.

And I hope your little ones bring the same joy to your life.

With love,
Ivana x