As families gather around for Christmas dinner, some parents were anxiously awaiting a special gift of their own.
Five babies were born at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day this year, most of them to first-time parents.
Lucy Townsend and her partner, Dom, were in for a surprise when their little boy came more than two weeks early.
Ms Townsend was due to have a scan and a midwife appointment, but neither went ahead after the new mum went into labour.
Albert Ivan Townsend was born at 12.35pm, giving the couple the "best Christmas present".
Mr Townsend said: "We're absolutely besotted.
"We didn't think we'd have a Christmas baby and we can't believe it."
Bethany Thompson was due to have her baby on December 16, but gave birth to her little boy, Ezekiel Ivan James, on Christmas Day.
Ms Thompson said her contractions started on December 23 and ramped up on December 24 before coming to a standstill.
Then her waters broke early on Christmas morning.
Baby Ezekiel's middle name, Ivan, is after Ms Thompson's dad.
Emily Stebbings said it was "quite surreal" giving birth on Christmas Day.
Her waters broke at 4am and after going to the hospital, going home and then returning at 3.30pm, Rory Robert Newman was born just after 4.15pm.
Ms Stebbings and her partner, Jack, added: "We are so incredibly grateful to the midwives who helped us.
"They were so reassuring and attentive."
At West Suffolk Hospital, staff welcomed eight babies just on Christmas Eve, including a set of twins.
Sisters Willow and Saskia were spending Christmas on the postnatal ward.
Willow was born first and weighed 5lb 9.5oz and Saskia was born shortly after and weighed 4lb 14oz.
The first baby to arrive on the big day was David, who arrived at 3am.
Proud parents Maria and Dan popped their little one in a festive Christmas pudding ghat which had been provided by the warm baby project for all babies born over the festive period.
Did your family welcome a new addition on Christmas Day or are you expecting on New Year's Day? Share your stories by emailing suffolkeditors@newsquest.co.uk
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