What to Wear for Christmas Family Photos: Outfit Ideas & Colour Palettes

Planning your Christmas family photos at Studio Bokeh in Aurora? Choosing outfits that look great together can make a big difference in your final images. The good news is that you don't need matching sweaters or brand-new clothes to create beautiful, coordinated Christmas portraits.

Every Christmas session includes access to both setups, so choose a coordinated palette that works across both.

Our main Christmas photography setup Crimson & Pine features rich burgundy accents, forest-green trees, and a warm cream sofa. The best outfits complement these colours while keeping the focus on what matters most — your family.

Here are our favourite Christmas family photo outfit ideas, colour palettes, and tips to help you prepare for your holiday photo session.

1. Choose a Christmas Colour Palette

The easiest way to coordinate family outfits is to start with two or three main colours and add neutral shades to balance them. You don't need everyone wearing the same colour. Instead, choose complementary shades and distribute them throughout the family.

Burgundy, Forest Green & Cream

Burgundy and forest green complement the holiday decorations, while cream and beige keep the overall look balanced and timeless.

Try a burgundy dress, a cream sweater with beige trousers, and forest-green knitwear for the children. Add a few neutral pieces to tie everything together.

Soft Neutrals: Ivory, Beige & Camel

If you prefer a light, timeless look, choose ivory, oatmeal, beige, camel, and warm taupe. These colours look beautiful against our cream sofa and neutral backdrop.

Combine different shades and textures so the outfits don't blend together. For example, pair an oatmeal sweater with camel trousers, an ivory dress with brown boots, or a beige cardigan with darker bottoms.

Muted Green, Dusty Rose & Cream

For a softer, more modern holiday look, consider sage green, muted olive, dusty rose, and cream. These shades complement the greenery in our Christmas setup without making the overall look too bold.

This palette works especially well for families who prefer softer colours over traditional bright Christmas red and green.

Navy, Burgundy & Ivory

Not a fan of green? Navy is an excellent alternative. It adds depth and pairs beautifully with burgundy, ivory, and warm beige.

Try a navy sweater, a burgundy dress, and cream tops with neutral trousers for the rest of the family.

2. Coordinate Your Outfits Instead of Matching

Matching family outfits can look cute, but coordinated outfits often create a more natural and timeless result.

Instead of dressing everyone in identical sweaters, choose a colour palette and let each family member express their own style within it.

For example:

• Mum could wear a burgundy or cream dress.

• Dad could choose a forest-green or oatmeal sweater with neutral trousers.

• Children could wear a mix of cream knitwear, burgundy dresses, and green or beige bottoms.

The goal is to make the outfits feel connected without looking identical.

3. Add Texture for a More Interesting Look

Texture adds depth to photographs, even when everyone is wearing neutral colours. It's also a lovely way to create a cosy, festive feeling without relying on Christmas-themed clothing.

Some of our favourite choices include:

• Chunky or cable-knit sweaters

• Velvet dresses and skirts

• Corduroy trousers

• Soft wool cardigans

• Simple cotton shirts and knit dresses

Velvet in particular looks beautiful with the burgundy decorations in our Christmas set. Mixing a few textures helps create visual interest while keeping the overall look cohesive.

Snow & Stars: What to Wear for White Christmas Photos

Our Snow & Stars setup features a clean, white winter backdrop, so pretty much any colour will look great! From festive reds and greens to soft pastels, neutrals, or cosy Christmas pyjamas, you have plenty of options. Just avoid all-white outfits, as they may blend into the background.

4. What Should You Avoid Wearing for Christmas Photos?

A few simple choices can help your family portraits look polished and keep the attention on your faces.

Very bright colours: Neon shades, vivid pink, and electric blue can compete with the decorations. Muted and deeper colours tend to work better with our setup.

Too much red or green: These colours are perfect for Christmas photos, but if everyone wears both colours, the outfits can feel overly coordinated. Balance them with cream, beige, or navy.

Large logos and busy patterns: Bold graphics, slogans, and large prints can distract from your family's expressions. Small, subtle patterns are usually fine.

Head-to-toe pale clothing: Ivory and cream look beautiful against our neutral background, but an entirely pale palette may blend into the sofa. Add a darker shade or two for contrast.

Shiny fabrics and excessive accessories: Sequins, reflective materials, and oversized jewellery can draw attention away from the people in the photographs. Simple accessories and soft textures are often the better choice.

And don't worry about buying a completely new wardrobe! Start with what you already have and build your outfits around a few complementary colours.

5. Don't Forget the Little Details

The best Christmas photo outfits are not only beautiful but also comfortable.

Choose clothes that allow everyone to sit, cuddle, and move naturally. This is particularly important for young children, who may spend much of the session sitting on the sofa or in a parent's arms.

Keep shoes simple if they'll be visible, and coordinate socks or tights with the rest of the outfit. If your pet is joining the session, a simple bandana in burgundy, forest green, or a neutral shade can complete the look.

Most importantly, choose outfits that feel like you. The best family photographs capture your connection, not just your clothing.

Book Your Christmas Family Photos in Aurora

At Studio Bokeh, we love creating warm, festive family portraits that you can enjoy for years to come. Our Christmas mini sessions are a wonderful opportunity to update your family photos, capture the children's personalities, and create special images for holiday cards and gifts.

Located in downtown Aurora, our boutique photography studio welcomes families from Aurora, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, and across York Region.

Ready to plan your Christmas photos? Visit our Christmas Mini Sessions page to explore our seasonal setups and booking details.

We look forward to welcoming your family to Studio Bokeh!