Whether you're a parent or grandparent, you will never forget a baby's first Christmas. It's a magical time for all, but the celebrations depend very much on the age of the baby. Here are a few tips for a baby's first Christmas.

If the baby is a newborn at Christmas time, don't go overboard buying presents. If you are the parents, don't make any plans in advance for big celebrations. Toys aren't necessary for babies, and don't make the mistake of buying something that they won't use for months. A voucher makes a lot of sense. It can be used for clothes if the baby has a growth spurt or for early toys when they are ready to use them.

The reason for not planning any big celebrations is that you won't know how you will be feeling on Christmas day. Your baby may have had a bad night and you could be exhausted and just want to relax at home. If you have made plans, however, you will feel guilty for letting everyone down. The better option is to go with the flow. Tell everyone you will have to wait and see how you feel.

If you are a grandparent, you will obviously want to see your grandchild on Christmas day, but respect the parents. If they call and cancel, don't make them feel guilty. Tell them you understand and ask if you can pop round for an hour later in the day to see them all. This gives the parents time for a sleep and to pull themselves around, without having to worry about getting ready to go out anywhere.

If the baby is a few months old, the day will obviously be completely different. The parents will have their routine so a big celebration can be planned. On the present front though, stick to the same rules, buy appropriately. It's hard to smile through gritted teeth as you open a garage and set of cars that will be standing around gathering dust for at least a couple of years. Ask the parents what to get the baby, as there may be something specific that they need.