Christmas is perhaps best enjoyed by children. Gianluca Tonna may be too young to enjoy all the Yuletide treats this year, but his parents are still planning a special first Christmas for their baby. They speak to Veronica Stivala.
I met Gianluca when he was barely a month old, but even then, one could see he was a cheerful and lively lad. His parents – Louisa and Karl Tonna – agree and point out how he loves to play and cuddle and, as with all babies, demands constant attention.
Louisa explains how Gianluca is very easily distracted “because he loves to investigate everything around him, by looking, feeling and grabbing”. His favourite toys are a squeaky giraffe teether and his Sesame Street Elmo soft toy.
Having been born on June 25, this child will be exactly six months old, come Christmas. What will the little bundle of joy be opening come the grand day?
Karl says they have bought Gianni a Christmas stocking, which they plan to fill with little gifts, such as a little soft toy, a rattle and maybe a bath toy.
“As a Christmas present to put under the tree, we will probably get him an activity centre. We also bought him a special little Christmas hat and mittens to wear on the day.”
The image of this little imp in this get-up is too sweet and one wonders who really is going to enjoy these gifts the most.
What about delivery? And will Father Christmas visit?
Although Louisa and Karl are pulling out all the stops for their son, they do acknowledge that he may still be too young for Father Christmas to visit this year.
“In the future, we intend to have Father Christmas visit (i.e. Karl in costume), but seeing that Gianni is still young, we’re afraid he might be scared of the white-bearded figure for the time being, so we’ll start this tradition next year.”
Although their baby will be too young for certain traditions, the couple still plans to continue the usual Christmas rituals. Christmas Eve will probably see the family visit some relatives or do some last-minute Christmas shopping. In the afternoon/evening, things will get more exciting and they will eat some goodies and open one present each while listening to Christmas carols. Then they will settle to play a board game and watch a Christmas film.
Although their baby will be too young for certain traditions, the couple still plans to continue the usual Christmas rituals
Louisa notes that these are plans to accommodate a very young baby and “in the future, we’d very much like to go to Midnight Mass together on Christmas Eve, but not just yet because we’ll completely disrupt Gianluca’s bedtime”.
Come Christmas Day, Louisa and Karl will start with a special breakfast, after which they will open the rest of the presents. Then they will go to Christmas Mass, which will be followed by lunch and tea with their respective families.
“It’s important for us to spend some quality time just the three of us, though, so we’ll probably call it a day early to settle at home,” explains Karl.
Will Gianni have a special meal on Christmas Day? At the moment, he is still only drinking milk. But by Christmas, the couple should be weaning him, in which case they might treat him to a fruit purée, as opposed to the vegetables they plan to get him started on.
Apart from the commercial side of Christmas, Louisa and Karl want Gianluca to know the real meaning of the celebration; that it is a time to remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth; to think of others, especially those in need; a time for receiving and, more importantly, for giving.
Louisa says: “It is important to us that he knows the nativity story well and that he feels the peace and unity there is around this period. We will show him that Christmas is a very special time of year to spend with the family and loved ones, and we’ll also narrate to him the story of Father Christmas.”
The couple would like to continue some of their family traditions, as well as introduce a few of their own. They look forward to putting up the Christmas tree and decorating their home while playing Christmas carols.
“We will open just one Christmas present each on Christmas Eve, before going to Midnight Mass; and upon our return, we’ll leave some cookies and milk for Father Christmas to snack on when he delivers the presents and fills in the stocking.”
What fun!