What To Wear for Family Christmas Photos – 8 Ideas

It’s officially time to take your holiday photos so you can order your Christmas cards. If you’re struggling with what to wear for family Christmas photos, I’m sharing 8 ideas to make coordinating family outfits as easy as pumpkin pie.

Here Are 8 Ideas on What To Wear for Family Christmas Photos

You might have seen on instagram that Cole and I took our family photos for our holiday cards last month so we could order our cards early. We’re not usually the do-things-ahead-of-time kind of people, but I was so glad to cross this off our  to-do list. family. Christmas cards is always a big one, especially now that we’re a family of three.

One of the first things I asked myself when I started planning our holiday photos was, “what do we wear?” Whether your family is just the two of you, or you’re a family of five, deciding what to wear for the perfect family holiday photo isn’t easy. So to make it easier, I put together 8 simple ideas on what to wear for your family Christmas photos. I’ve also included some suggestions on where to take the photos for your holiday cards.

Before you dive in, one quick tip! Don’t worry about the design of your card until after you’ve had your photos taken. With so many designs that you can easily pop your family Christmas photo into, you’re almost guaranteed to find the perfect holiday card design.
I also wanted to add in a quick disclaimer. Cole and I have only sent out 4 family Christmas photos so far (& one was a photo from our wedding!) So I don’t have a ton of photos we’ve actually used for our family Christmas cards. But since I’ve styled and shot so many holiday photographs over the last few years, I have tons of ideas on what to wear. While some of these shots might be of just me or Everly and me, I’ve included shopping options that will work for all of your family members.

Shop My Plaid Skirt  |  Shop Cole’s Plaid Button Up Shirt  |  Shop Everly’s Plaid Dress

Matching Plaid Family Christmas Card Outfits

If you’re wanting your family Christmas cards to have a traditional, timeless holiday look, then you simply can’t go wrong with matching plaid patterns. Coordinating plaid is what we chose for our holiday cards this year, and I love how they turned out!

I referred to our plaid as “coordinating” because the plaid doesn’t actually match. Believe it or not, I found all three of our plaid looks at completely different stores. So don’t worry about browsing the internet for hours to search for that perfectly matching plaid for everyone on your family. As long as it’s a similar plaid color palette, it should work great for your family Christmas photos.

SETTING IDEAS FOR COORDINATED PLAID FAMILY CHRISTMAS PHOTOS:

When it comes to picking the perfect setting for matching plaid looks in your holiday photos, a simple background will work best. We were limited to the front of our white brick house for our family photos due to time constraints. This was actually taken just 10 minutes before we went to the airport. But matching family plaid outfits would also work great at a Christmas tree farm or in front of any solid-colored neutral wall or building.

SHOP COORDINATING FAMILY PLAID OUTFITS:

Winter White Holiday Outfits

Because aren’t we all dreaming of a white Christmas? Create the neutral snowy color palette of your dreams by making white or off-white the primarily color in your family holiday photos. When selecting white as the primary color for your family looks, you can easily mix in a variety of prints and textures. Pair a white sequin skirt with a white lace top like I did in the above photo or rock a white holiday cocktail dress. Coordinate your family’s Christmas’ card looks with things like white button ups and kakis for the boys and sweet white tulle dresses for the little girls. Big girls can opt for white knit sweaters or sweater dresses. You can see and shop some of my favorite white holiday looks for the whole family below.

You can also add gold into what you wear for your family Christmas holiday photos if you want a touch of holiday glam. Gold accessories and touches of gold in women’s and girl’s dresses should do the trick.

SETTING IDEAS FOR WINTER WHITE FAMILY HOLIDAY PHOTOS:

When deciding on a good setting that will work well with your winter white outfits, go for something that adds contrast. A Christmas tree farm would also work for this family outfit idea, or even better, a large lit up Christmas tree like one you’ll find in your city center.

SHOP WHITE CHRISTMAS LOOKS:

Coordinated Cozy Knit Looks

Nothing evokes the feel of the holidays like cozy, chunky knits. If you want a family Christmas card that spells warm and cozy, coordinated knit sweaters and layers are the perfect option. From knit sweaters and  sweater dresses to scarves, knit beanies, and even mittens, the more the bette. Just be sure your color palette makes sense. Keep reading this post for ideas on color palettes that work great for family Christmas photos.

SETTING IDEAS FOR COORDINATED COZY KNIT FAMILY HOLIDAY PHOTOS:

For a photo featuring the family in knit sweaters and layers, there are lots of settings that would work great. the setting can easily be in your own home cozied up by the tree and fireplace.

SHOP COZY KNIT ESSENTIALS:

Tacky Christmas Sweaters – Family-Style

If your family is the type that doesn’t take themselves too seriously, wearing tacky Christmas sweaters is a great idea for your holiday photos. For holiday cards that will truly stand out amongst the rest, opt for a photo featuring every member of your family in a tacky Christmas sweater of their choice. Not only will it make for unique family Christmas card photo, but it’s also guaranteed to be a fun, memorable day together.

SETTING IDEAS FOR TACKY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PHOTOS:

For a photo featuring the family in knit sweaters and layers, the setting can easily be in your own home. Whether cozied up by the tree with the fireplace on or huddled together in the kitchen making Christmas cookies, the coziness of your home is the perfect setting for you tacky sweaters.

SHOP TACKY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:

Matching Family Christmas Pajamas

This is another family Christmas photo idea that’s perfect for when you want holiday cards that are casual and cozy. You can find matching family Christmas pajamas practically anywhere right now, at every price range. Many even include options for the dogs and cats in your family. You can shop some of my favorite family Christmas pajamas below. Even if your pajamas aren’t entirely matching, if they’re both in the same general palette, they will totally work!

SETTING IDEAS FOR A MATCHING FAMILY CHRISTMAS PAJAMA PHOTO:

Once again, home is the perfect setting for a family Christmas card photos featuring matching pajamas. In fact, it might be a little strange to take these photos anywhere but in your home. Think cozied up next to the fire or beneath the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

SHOP MATCHING CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY:

Classic Christmas Color Palette

Another options for families looking for Christmas card photos that are traditional is to opt for colors in the classic holiday colors of green and red. From skirt and top pairings and dresses for the girls to solid colored button up’s for the boys, there are endless options. Try adding in one of two red or green plaid prints too, depending on your family size.

SETTING IDEAS FOR CLASSIC CHRISTMAS PHOTOS:

Since lots of Christmas red and green colors can be a little bit overwhelming to the eye, consider a neutral background for the setting. A simple white wall or building such as the one above would be the perfect compliment to your family holiday photos.

SHOP TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS COLOR HOLIDAY OUTFITS:

-Primary Color Palette

Looking for family Christmas cards that are as merry and bright as can be? Pick a primary color palette for your holiday photo outfits. That means using bright red and bright green as a base. And then adding some other pops of color such as yellow, pink and blue. Nothing says merry like vivid, primary colors.

SETTING IDEAS FOR BRIGHT AND COLORFUL CHRISTMAS PHOTOS:

Since there will already be a lot of bright color in your family’s attire, opt for a photo setting that’s more neutral. A large open field or Christmas tree farm always works. If you’re lucky enough to get snow this early, plan your family Christmas photos for a snow day. The bright colors will really pop against the white snow.

SHOP TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS COLOR HOLIDAY OUTFITS:

Shop Everly’s Pastel Dress  |  Shop My Pink Top  |  Shop My Pearl Earrings  | Shop My Velvet Headband

-Pastel Color Palette

If you’re wanting to switch it up from the traditional Christmas colors for your holiday card, consider a soft and dreamy pastel palette. Put the girls and little boys in tones of blush pink or lilac dresses and button ups. For men and big boys, stick to light blue and neutral tones like white and kaki. You’ll love the way your candy-coated pastel cards stand out from all the rest.

SETTING IDEAS FOR PASTEL CHRISTMAS PHOTOS:

If you happen to have a space in your home with pastel holiday decor, this would be the perfect backdrop for your photos. Otherwise, a blush, pink or pastel blue wall would be perfect. A bright white background like a white house, building our wall would also work great for this family holiday photo idea.

SHOP PASTEL HOLIDAY OUTFITS FOR YOUR FAMILY:

 

So there you have it! 8 ideas on what to wear for your family Christmas photos this year. I hope you found some holiday photo inspiration that might work for your family. Stay tuned for more holiday shopping and tips!