The Ultimate Guide : What to Wear for Christmas Family Photos

It’s fall, you’ve finally booked those Christmas family photos, and now you’re staring at your family’s closets in complete panic mode. Sound familiar? Between finding something that looks good on everyone, coordinates without being too matchy-matchy, and actually fits your toddler who grew three sizes since last month, choosing Christmas photo outfits can feel overwhelming. But here’s the thing—it doesn’t have to be!

Every fall, my inbox fills with the same question: “What should we wear?” And I completely understand. You want your family to look beautiful, feel comfortable, and create portraits that will stand the test of time. After years of documenting Christmas family photos, I’ve learned that the families who look most stunning are the ones who focus on feeling comfortable and confident rather than following every Pinterest rule.

The truth is, when you stop stressing about perfection and start thinking about what actually works for your family, the styling becomes so much simpler. And that’s exactly what I want to help you with today.

Why I Always Tell Families to Ditch the Matching Mindset

Let me tell you a secret: coordinated looks photograph beautifully. Matching everything? Not so much.

When every family member wears the exact same thing—whether it’s matching plaid pajamas or identical white shirts and jeans—the photos can feel a bit flat. There’s no visual interest, no depth, and honestly, no reflection of your family’s individual personalities. What photographs beautifully is coordination: a thoughtful palette where everyone’s outfit complements the others without being identical.

I see it every year— when everyone relaxes into their own style within a cohesive color story, magic happens. Dad’s textured sweater plays beautifully against mom’s flowing dress. The kids’ different shades of cream and burgundy create visual interest without clashing. Suddenly, the photos aren’t about the outfits—they’re about the connection, the joy, the authentic dynamic of your family.

When I give families permission to skip the matching game, there’s this visible relief. And that relief translates into more natural smiles, more genuine interactions, and ultimately, more beautiful portraits. Your family is made up of individuals with different personalities, and your Christmas photos should celebrate that, not hide it.

My Go-To Christmas Family Photos Color Palettes (That Work Every Single Time)

Let’s talk color. This is where the magic of coordination really comes together, and it’s easier than you think.

My approach to Christmas photo styling is rooted in the same philosophy that guides all my work: soft, timeless, and focused on connection over trends. That means we’re building palettes around neutrals with touches of deeper, sophisticated holiday hues.

The Classic Neutral Palette
Creamy whites, warm taupes, soft grays, and gentle camel tones create a serene, elegant foundation. This palette feels timeless and allows faces to glow. It’s perfect for families who want Christmas photos that won’t feel dated in ten years.

Neutral + Burgundy
Cream, ivory, and camel with touches of rich, muted burgundy. This is my personal favorite for Christmas sessions. The burgundy nods to the holiday season without screaming “theme,” and it photographs beautifully in winter light. Think: mom in a cream dress, dad in a camel sweater, and the kids in ivory and soft burgundy.

Neutral + Forest Green
Soft white, warm gray, and natural wood tones paired with deep forest green. This palette feels sophisticated and festive. It works especially well for families who want that Christmas feeling without traditional red.

Neutral + Navy
Ivory, blush, and cream with touches of deep navy. This combination is unexpected for Christmas but absolutely stunning. Navy adds depth and richness while keeping the overall look soft and timeless.

Blush + Cream + Sage
For families drawn to softer palettes, this combination is ethereal. Muted sage green with blush and cream creates a gentle, romantic holiday look that feels fresh and modern.

Remember, we’re avoiding bright, saturated holiday colors—no candy cane red or lime green. Instead, we’re choosing deeper, muted versions that photograph beautifully and won’t overwhelm the frame.

Styling Tips for Each Family Member (From Toddlers to Grandparents)

Now that you have your color palette, let’s talk about putting together actual outfits. Here’s what works beautifully for each member of your family.

Christmas Outfits for Women

Your outfit sets the tone for the entire family’s styling, so this is where I always start.

What Works:

• Flowing dresses in cream, blush, soft taupe, or your chosen accent color
• Cable knit sweaters paired with neutral pants or a midi skirt
• Layered looks: a cozy cardigan over a simple dress adds texture and warmth
• Fabrics with texture: velvet, linen, soft knits, or delicate lace details

My Favorite Choices: A soft, neutral dress is almost always my go-to recommendation. It photographs beautifully, feels feminine and comfortable, and creates a lovely foundation for the rest of the family to build around. If you’re more comfortable in separates, a textured sweater with neutral pants or a flowing skirt works just as well.

Consider:

• How you’ll be moving and sitting during the session
• Pieces you feel confident in—this is so important
• Our client wardrobe is always available if shopping feels overwhelming
• Reserving hair and makeup

Christmas Outfits for Guys

Men’s styling is straightforward, and honestly, guys usually have it easiest.

What Works:

• Classic button-downs in white, cream, soft chambray, or subtle patterns
• Neutral sweaters: oatmeal, gray, camel, or navy
• Dress pants or well-fitted chinos in khaki, gray, navy, or darker camel
• Layering: a sweater over a button-down adds polish and texture

The Simple Formula: Button-down (in your neutral) + sweater or vest (in your accent color or neutral) + neutral pants = always looks great. Dad can wear slightly darker tones than the rest of the family—think darker khaki or camel pants while everyone else is in cream and ivory.

Avoid:

• Bright white dress shirts (they can photograph too stark)
• Large logos or busy patterns
• Overly casual looks if everyone else is dressed up

Christmas Outfits for Girls

Little girls’ outfits should be sweet, comfortable, and easy to move in.

What Works:

• Simple, timeless dresses in your color palette
• Rompers or jumpers for younger girls
• Soft, comfortable fabrics: velvet, linen, cotton knits
• Small details: delicate lace, subtle smocking, a sweet collar
• Hair accessories: velvet bows or simple headbands in coordinating colors

My Approach: Choose classics over trends. A simple dress with a beautiful fabric and flattering silhouette will look timeless in your photos. If your daughter is more comfortable in pants, soft corduroy or linen pants with a coordinating sweater or blouse work beautifully.

Practical Tip: If you have picky children, show them two options you’d be happy with and let them choose. But only show options you actually love—because I guarantee they’ll pick the one you’re less excited about if it’s in the mix!

Christmas Outfits for Boys

Boys’ styling is all about keeping it simple, classic, and comfortable.

What Works:

• Button-down shirts in solids or subtle patterns
• Neutral sweaters or cardigans
• Dress pants, chinos, or well-fitted khakis
• Suspenders for younger boys add a sweet, timeless detail
• Bow ties or neckties for a more formal look (but only if they’re comfortable)

Keep It Simple: A classic button-down in a neutral with dress pants is foolproof. Add a sweater or vest if you want more layers and texture. For very young boys, a simple romper in your color palette is adorable and much easier than keeping pants and shirts tucked.

Most Important: Comfort matters more than anything. If your son is uncomfortable or fussy in his outfit, it will show in every photo. Choose soft fabrics and styles he can move in naturally.

Mommy and Me Christmas Outfits

There’s something so precious about coordinated mommy and me looks for Christmas family photos.

The Approach: Rather than matching exactly, coordinate your colors and choose complementary styles. If mom is in a flowing cream dress, daughter might wear a soft blush dress or cream romper. The connection comes through in the palette, not identical outfits.

Sweet Details:

• Matching hair accessories (mom and daughter in velvet bows or headbands)
• Complementary textures (both in velvet or linen)
• Coordinating colors at different saturations (mom in cream, daughter in ivory)

This creates a beautiful visual connection while still honoring each person’s individuality.

Christmas Outfits for Dogs

Yes, let’s include your furry family members!

What Works:

• Simple, neutral bandanas or bow ties in your color palette
• Classic collars in coordinating colors
• Nothing too costume-y or distracting

My Advice: Keep it simple. A burgundy bandana or cream bow tie is perfect. Avoid holiday-themed outfits (no Santa costumes!) because they can be distracting and won’t feel timeless. Your dog’s sweet face and personality are what matter most.

The Christmas Family Photos “Don’ts” I Wish Everyone Knew

Let’s talk about what to avoid—because knowing what doesn’t work is just as important as knowing what does.

Bright, Saturated Holiday Colors
Bright red and green might feel festive, but they photograph harshly and can overwhelm your family’s faces. These colors demand attention and make it harder to focus on connection and emotion. Choose deeper, muted versions instead.

Large Patterns and Busy Prints
Big plaids, bold stripes, or busy florals compete for attention in photos. If you want to include a pattern, choose one small, subtle print and pair it with solids. The pattern should complement, not dominate.

Logos and Graphics
T-shirts with logos, character graphics, or text are distracting. They date your photos immediately and pull focus away from faces. Stick to clean, simple pieces.

Everyone in Identical Outfits
We’ve talked about this, but it’s worth repeating: matching outfits create flat, one-dimensional photos. Coordination is what you’re after.

Uncomfortable or Fussy Clothing
If your child is tugging at their collar, pulling at their dress, or complaining about scratchy fabric, it will show in every image. Comfort is non-negotiable. Choose soft fabrics and styles they can move in naturally.

Last-Minute Shopping
Waiting until the week of your session to figure out outfits is a recipe for stress. Start planning early—at least a month before—to allow time for ordering, returns, and finding the right pieces. This also gives you time to borrow from our client wardrobe if needed.

Dark Roots on Blonde Hair
This is one many people don’t think about, but dark roots are nearly impossible to retouch well. If this will bother you, schedule a root touch-up before your session.

Here’s What I’ve Learned:
The families who look most natural and joyful are the ones who didn’t overthink it. They chose comfortable clothes in a coordinated palette, arrived relaxed, and trusted the process. Every single time, those sessions produce the most beautiful, authentic portraits.

Making Everyone Feel Confident and Comfortable

Confidence translates into relaxed shoulders, genuine smiles, and natural interactions. When you’re not worried about whether your outfit looks right or whether everyone coordinates, you’re free to be present with your family. And that presence—that’s what creates magic in photos.

Practical Considerations:

Movement and Play:
Your session will involve sitting, walking, playing, and cuddling. Choose clothes that allow for all of this. Dresses should be long enough that you’re not constantly tugging them down. Pants should fit well enough that you’re not adjusting them between every shot.

Seasonal Weather:
December in Indiana can be unpredictable. If we’re doing an outdoor session, consider layers you can add or remove. A cozy cardigan over a dress gives you options and adds beautiful texture to the photos.

Body Confidence:
Wear clothes that fit you now and make you feel beautiful. This isn’t the time for the outfit you’re planning to fit into—it’s the time for the pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Individual Comfort Levels:
Every family has “that person” who doesn’t love getting dressed up. Work with it, not against it. If dad is more comfortable in a casual button-down than a full suit, that’s okay. The goal is for everyone to feel like themselves, just elevated.

The Difference I See:
In Christmas family photos where families feel insecure about their appearance, there’s a hesitancy. They’re not fully present because part of their mind is worried about how they look. But when families feel confident and comfortable, they relax into the experience. They laugh more freely, cuddle more naturally, and those in-between moments I’m always chasing become effortless to capture.

Your Christmas Family Photos Should Feel Like YOUR Family

At the end of the day, the goal of your Christmas family photos isn’t to look like a catalog or replicate someone else’s Pinterest board. The goal is to capture who your family is during this season of your life—the laughter, the connection, the love that exists in the ordinary moments.

The best Christmas family photos happen when families feel confident and comfortable in their choices. When you stop worrying about matching perfectly or following every styling rule, something beautiful happens: you show up as yourselves. And that authenticity, that genuine joy—it’s what makes portraits truly timeless.

Over the years, my advice has evolved from giving strict styling rules to helping families understand the principles behind what works. Because once you understand that it’s about coordination over matching, about muted tones over bright colors, about comfort over trends—the decisions become so much simpler.

What I Want You to Remember:
Your Christmas family photos are about preserving this moment in your family’s story. Twenty years from now, you won’t remember whether everyone’s outfit coordinated perfectly. But you will remember the way your daughter laughed, the way your son snuggled into your lap, the way your family felt in that moment. That’s what we’re documenting together.

So take a deep breath. Choose clothes that make you feel good. Trust the process. And show up ready to enjoy this time with your family.

I can’t wait to create something beautiful together.

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Ready to book your Christmas family photos? Our Indianapolis Santa Sessions are booking now! We offer both quick Petite Sessions and the full Milk & Cookies experience—whatever feels right for your family.

Still have questions about what to wear? Drop them in the comments below or reach out directly. I’m here to make this as stress-free and joyful as possible for you!