Christmas Family Pajama Photo Ideas (Matching Sets)
The matching pajama photo has become a favorite holiday tradition, whether it ends up on the Christmas card, the family group chat or the fridge. A great photo does not need a studio, just a bit of planning, good light and pajamas that look good on camera. Here are practical photo ideas, plus three graphic family sets that photograph especially well.
Browse every family set in Family Outfit, or look at the three featured here: Christmas Family Matching Pajamas | "Let's take an #Elfie" Raglan Long Sleeve Set, Christmas Family Matching Pajamas | Santa and Reindeer Graphic Raglan Long Sleeve Set and Christmas Family Matching Pajamas | Ho Ho Ho Letter Print Raglan Top & Red Plaid Pants Set.
Why graphic raglan sets photograph well
Raglan tops have contrasting sleeves that frame each person in the picture, and a single graphic on the chest reads clearly even in a wide shot of a big family. When everyone stands together, the repeated graphic ties the group together, so the photo looks planned even if it took two minutes.
The three sets
"Let's take an #Elfie." The Elfie set practically tells you what photo to take: a family selfie. Hold the phone at arm's length, squeeze everyone in and laugh.
Santa and reindeer graphic. The Santa and reindeer set has a cute cartoon graphic with a classic Christmas feel that suits a traditional photo by the tree.
Ho Ho Ho with red plaid pants. The Ho Ho Ho plaid set pairs festive lettering with red plaid pants for a bold, colorful photo.
Ten photo ideas
- The staircase lineup: everyone on the stairs, tallest at the top and smallest at the bottom.
- The family #Elfie: a selfie with the whole family squeezed into frame; perfect with the Elfie set.
- Under the tree: kids lying on their stomachs under the tree, chins in hands, with parents behind.
- The pile-up: everyone in one bed or on one sofa under a blanket, with just the pajamas and faces showing.
- The first gift: a candid shot of the moment the first present is opened.
- Feet by the fire: a row of feet, big to small, in front of the fireplace or the stockings.
- Cocoa toast: everyone raises a mug of hot chocolate toward the camera.
- Window light portrait: the family sitting by a window in morning light for a soft, natural look.
- The jump: everyone jumps at once for a fun, blurry, joyful photo.
- Year-on-year: the same pose in the same spot every year to show how the kids have grown.
Camera tips
Use daylight from a window when you can, turn off harsh overhead lights, and use a phone timer or a small tripod so the photographer can be in the shot. Burst mode helps with kids who will not stay still. Take the photos before gifts are opened, when everyone is still neat and calm.
Sizes for every family member
All three sets are single listings with sizes for the whole family, as listed on the product pages:
- Baby: 0-3M through 18-24M.
- Kids: 2-3Y through 6-7Y.
- Women's: Women's S through Women's XL.
- Men's: Men's L through Men's XXXL.
Fabric: what each set is made of
These three raglan sets are made from a soft polyester, cotton-like stretch fabric, as described on their product pages. Only our pumpkin, King & Princess and navy all-over Christmas print family sets are bamboo viscose; these photo-friendly sets are polyester.
Fit and care
Baby and kids sizes are a snug fit, no added flame retardants; adult sizes are relaxed. Wash new pajamas once before photo day, following the care label, so they look smooth and settled on camera.
Planning your photo session
Set aside twenty minutes on Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning, before the gift-opening chaos. Lay out everyone's pajamas the night before, clear the background of clutter, and decide on two or three poses in advance. Keep a small treat on hand for little ones who need encouragement, and finish with one silly pose so the session ends on a laugh.
Questions about photo pajamas
Which set suits a large group? The Santa and reindeer graphic set reads clearly in wide shots, which helps when a lot of people are in the frame.
Which is most colorful? The Ho Ho Ho set with red plaid pants adds the most color to a photo.
Can babies be in the photo? Yes, each set includes baby sizes from 0-3M, so the youngest family member can match too.
Turning photos into keepsakes
Once you have your favorite shot, use it for the Christmas card, print a copy for each grandparent, or make a small photo book of the holiday. Families who take the same photo each year often frame them in a row along the stairs, a lovely way to watch the kids grow from 0-3M one-pieces to big-kid sizes. Save the originals in a dedicated album so they are easy to find next year.
One more idea: let the kids direct one photo. Children often come up with funny poses that adults would never think of, and that photo is frequently the one everyone remembers. Hand them the phone for a few minutes and see what they create in their matching pajamas.
Ordering for Christmas
Choose your set, collect everyone's sizes and order in one go so the whole family's pajamas arrive together. Check availability on each product page. We ship within the US.
Ready for your Christmas photo? Shop matching Christmas family outfits and pick a set that looks great on camera.
Shop in stock now: for the holidays, the navy Christmas Gifts print family matching pajamas come in women's M to XXL, men's M to XXXL, and kids 0-3M to 6-7Y. Check the size chart before you pick.