coordinated christmas outfit ideas for the family photoshoot

• Red and green. Does it get more iconic than this combo? (No, it doesn’t!) Keep things feeling sophisticated by sticking to darker shades of the two colors, such as deep wine red and forest green.
• Red and black. For a bit of drama — or for more formal photos — red and black is a fail safe combination. Bonus points for incorporating the two colors in plush textures like velvet.
• Red and silver. This is another color palette that works great for more formal photos. Just be sure to keep silver as an accent color to keep things from looking space-agey.
• Red and white. As another classic palette, there are plenty of ways you can twist red and white to fit your aesthetic. Think crisp ruby red and bright white for a candy-cane effect, or go more muted with cranberry and cream for a softer look.
• Red and denim blue. Jeans are absolutely welcome in the family Christmas photo! When paired with a festive red, shades of denim are a casual way to capture your family’s holiday spirit.
• Maroon and khaki. Maroon and khaki work well with muted tones, but will bring a bit of cheer to an otherwise subdued palette. This color combination is especially beautiful for an outdoor family photoshoot with some fall foliage in the background.
• Red and gold. Pair red with gold accents for an elegant touch. Parents could wear red while children wear outfits with gold detailing, creating a harmonious blend.

• Green and black. Like with red and black, this dramatic palette works best for more formal family photos and when you can incorporate luxe velvet or wool pieces.
• Green and khaki. For an earthy, forest-inspired take on the colors of Christmas, pair deep green with shades of brown and khaki.
• Green and cream. Paring deep forest green with mostly cream outfits is a great way to add some holiday-inspired richness to a neutral palette. Or, you can keep things soft and ethereal by opting for a trendy sage and cream color palette.
• Green and burgundy. Another twist on a classic holiday pairing — look for pieces in patterns like plaid that weave the two colors together for a more modern take.

• Navy blue and yellow gold. Liven up deep dark blue by incorporating accents of gold and rich yellow. This color palette is especially perfect if you plan to take your photos in the late fall, as it will help the vibrant colors of the foliage feel cohesive.
• Powder blue and white. Dreaming of a snow-dusted Christmas morning? Then this powder blue and white palette is perfect for you. On the flip side, this combo also works well if you plan to shoot your family Christmas photos at the beach.
• Dusty blue and gray. For a casual, urban-inspired take on holiday photos, go for a palette of dusty blue (ideally in the form of lighter-wash denim jeans) and gray. To keep things interesting, look for gray pieces with textures like knit, suede, or velvet.
• Navy blue and warm brown. For an unexpected, but still classic, take on a holiday color palette, go for a combination of deep blue and warm, nutty browns. This palette should be easy for everyone to pull off using their existing wardrobe, and works for just about any shoot location.
• Blue on blue. With so many shades of blue, why choose just one? If you plan to take your photos with a busier backdrop, direct your family to pair jeans with another shade of blue for an easy, cohesive look.
• Blue and silver. Pair blue with silver accessories or accents for an elegant and icy appearance. Consider metallic silver shoes, jewelry, or belts to complement the blue tones.

Irrespective of the chosen family picture outfit style—be it themed, festive, or casual—color selection is vital for a harmonious photo. You can emphasize a single color (like red) to pop across outfits or opt for a diverse palette. If you go for a unified color, ensure it complements everyone; if you choose a color palette, ensure coherence. For special attention to family members like newborns, vibrant tint or delicate patterns work well. Amplify their presence with festive swaddles. Dressing young ones is a creative joy with countless possibilities. Explore these articles for additional insights into photographing children and newborns!

Although color fosters unity in group photos, neutrals provide a stabilizing effect. Excessive color diversity can divert attention, drawing focus away from your family in the Christmas card. If opting for a lively backdrop, neutral Christmas outfits offer an effective contrast. For instance, a red lip and black top paired with a spouse's black sweater and blue jeans create harmony. Complete the ensemble with cozy attire and red sneakers for the little one. Additionally, introducing subtle hints of softer hues can break up a monochromatic appearance, whether you're coordinating outfits or not.

Striking the right color balance in your photo is crucial; an excess of colors can lead to visual clutter. Yet, a skillful blend of well-chosen colors enhances your look. Discover easy Christmas photo outfit ideas with our favorite palettes outlined below:

• For a more traditional Christmas look with an elevated modern take, turn to earthy palettes. Colors like forest green, rust, and tan group beautifully together.
• For a softer aesthetic, look to muted colors for inspiration. Dusty blue, blush, and sage are trending with brides in 2024. Accompanied by white and light gray, against a snowy backdrop, these stylish family picture outfits will transport your family into a winter wonderland.
• For an elegant ambiance, jewel tones are your best bet for Christmas photo outfits that flatter any complexion. Rich colors like burgundy, golden yellow, and emerald will add great depth to everyone’s outfits.
• For a festive palette, combine soft berry tones with grey that works well indoors.
• For a comfortable vibe, opt for warm neutrals like beige, cream, and brown.
• For a charming and dreamy atmosphere, soft pastel shades like mint, blush, and light blue will complete the scene.

While some may avoid using patterns in their Christmas family photo outfits, there's no need to fear it. Simply stay mindful of your color palette and designate a few family members to wear patterns, preventing visual overwhelm.

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Gingham
Gingham is a safe choice, especially when featured in charming holiday dresses for young girls. If you're leaning towards a neutral black and white (or black and cream) palette, gingham adds a touch of interest to prevent things from feeling overly plain.

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Plaid/Checkered
Is there anything more timeless than plaid for Christmas? It's one of those rare patterns that allow for mixing and broader use. Consider subtle, small-scale plaid or houndstooth blazers for men, matched with larger checks for women. Just ensure you maintain a restrained color palette to pull off this look!

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Small paisley
Paisley might be an unconventional pick for Christmas photos, yet it's a timeless choice. Opt for a formal touch by integrating paisley in the ties or pocket squares of those wearing suits. Additionally, paisley adds a charming touch to brocade or velvet dresses for women.

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Polka Dots
For polka dots, a subtle approach works best. Consider delicate details like polka dot-adorned black tights, headbands with small dots for babies, or dresses featuring tone-on-tone dot patterns.

To successfully incorporate patterns into your holiday photo wardrobe, follow these dos and don’ts.

• Do: Look for patterns that subtly incorporate accent colors within your broader color palette.
• Don’t: Put everyone in clothing that features the exact same pattern. (Unless you are opting for a photo in matching Christmas PJs, which is the one time you can break this rule!)
• Do: Let men wear patterns! It can be tempting to reserve patterns for female family members, but don’t forget to highlight the boys in your life by putting them in patterns like plaid or herringbone.
• Don’t: Incorporate too many patterns in your wardrobe. If you’re new to patterns, stick to just one — for the advanced pattern mixers, we suggest sticking to two to keep things from becoming visually cluttered.

Indoor Christmas outfits tend to have more wiggle room and flexibility when it comes to your family’s choices, because you don’t need to pay so much attention to the weather outside while you’re shooting. One thing to keep in mind? Indoor shoot locations tend to have more colors, patterns, and textures going on in the background — so be sure to think about the colors of the furniture and decor you’ll be shooting in front of when choosing a palette for your family photos.

Here are some Christmas outfit ideas for an indoor photoshoot:

• Show off those holiday-print PJs. Whether they’re matching onesies or mismatched pieces, take the efficient route and wake up in your outfits. This is a great idea if you have little kids, or are a family where weekly movie nights are non-negotiable. Getting the family pet in cute Christmas PJs is always a winning idea, too.
• Go glamorous. There’s no reason why you can’t dress up for indoor photos too. Since you’re able to better control the temperature inside, go for that luxe dress you were hoping to wear all holiday season. Channel your inner front cover magazine dreams (or favorite Kardashian-Jenner holiday photo) and model by your fireplace in extravagant Christmas photo outfits.
• Be comfortable, casual, and timeless. Cream and white sweaters paired with jeans are great closet staples to take advantage of. Don’t own any sweaters? A white t-shirt will do the trick just as well.

Additional considerations for planning your indoor photoshoot outfits:

• Don’t forget the shoes! Even if your family usually kicks off their shoes the second they come into the house, it’s a nice idea to skip the bare feet for your holiday photo. If you’re going the PJ route, opt for cute matching slippers or fuzzy socks. For any other outfit, think about what shoes will look natural with what you’re wearing.
• Keep cozy accessories to a minimum. Bundling up in beanies and scarves is an iconic look for outdoor Christmas photos, but can look a bit forced when indoors.

When it comes to planning what to wear for an outdoor photoshoot, start by thinking about the weather conditions where you’ll be taking your photos. In addition to keeping everyone comfortable while shooting, choosing weather-appropriate clothing will help keep your photos looking natural and carefree.

For family Christmas photo outfit ideas in the great outdoors:

• Select practical clothing for alfresco family picture outfits. Can you really wear that dress in the cold if you are the kind of person that sleeps with fleece pants in 75-degree weather? Keeping warm while outdoors is essential to natural smiles. No one looks good when forcing a smile in the cold.
• Choose your fabric and silhouettes wisely. Solid, satin stilettos aren’t the best choice for a photoshoot on the beach. Just like your best suit may look out of place in a woodland photoshoot. Be sure to keep practicality, and the overall aesthetic of your photo, in mind when getting dressed!
• Avoid colors that will blend in with your surroundings. The great outdoors can serve as a stunning backdrop, especially for a woodsy Christmas photoshoot. But will your family become one with the trees if you all wear the same shade of green? Make sure to differentiate yourself from the environment to bring out faces in the photo.

If you’re lucky enough to live in warm weather throughout all seasons, why not show that off through your Christmas outfits on your card? Send some sunshine to your friends and family in colder locales with photos of cute Christmas outfits that show off the tan! On the flip side, if you live in a location that dumps snow every winter, a family photo in snow pants and ski jackets could be a festive Christmas photoshoot idea.

• Surfing in wetsuits
• Having a snowball fight with winter jackets, beanies, and mittens
• Barbequing in tanks and shorts
• Eating popsicles in your Hawaiian shirts

If you haven’t noticed already, we’re huge advocates for tying things together. Adding accessories and outerwear is a great way to complete your family photo outfits. Simpler ensembles can be jazzed up with festive mittens, sparkly jewelry, fun hats, or faux fur vests. Fun pieces like funky bow ties or Christmas-themed hair accessories are also a great way of showing off your family’s personality — and are a must if you plan to use a funny saying on your Christmas card.

This is one place where we love the look of everyone wearing the same accessory — especially if you’re going for something ultra-festive like Santa hats. But, all of the ideas below will work as accent pieces that just a few family members wear as well.

• Beanies
• Scarves (this is a great place to incorporate patterns!)
• Mittens
• Aviator hats
• Baseball caps
• Reindeer ears
• Santa hats
• Elf hats
• Santa beards
• Candy canes
• Matching aprons.
• Hawaiian leis
• Sunglasses

Don’t have anything that fits the mold? Consider adding a little online shopping to your holiday preparation list before the family photo is snapped!

All your furry members of the family deserve some time in the spotlight too. We’re not talking about your spouse — we mean your beloved pets! Just like how our Christmas cards come in many shapes and sizes, we know your pets do too.

Have fun thinking of creative ways of integrating your pets in the holiday photo. There’s no need to break the bank for a new Christmas outfit for Fluffy or Fido, Simply find ways to reuse what’s around your house. Get your DIY juices flowing with these Christmas outfit ideas for your pet:

• Repurpose your baby’s one-time holiday onesie. You may or may not have gone overboard during your little one’s first Christmas (how many holiday onesies can an infant really wear?). Upcycle them by cutting two small holes at the end of the onesie. Now your pup is all set to go!
• Don’t forget the bowtie. A simple bowtie can add a splash of color on your dog or cat and shouldn’t be too bothersome for them if they are accustomed to wearing a collar.
• Leverage wrapping materials. Already wrapping presents for Christmas? See if your cat may want to participate in the activity by wearing a festive bow, ribbon, or label. (*Disclaimer - Only try this if your cat has a mellow personality. Minted is not responsible for the outraged responses of grumpy cats.)
• One-size-fits-all Christmas socks. Can the entire family feature matching holiday socks with your Christmas outfits? Squeeze their paws into the socks or cut the socks and sew them back together to fit more snuggly on their skinnier limbs.

Overwhelmed by all of this advice? When it comes to making planning photoshoot outfits easy, simply look for pieces that are comfortable, well-fitting, and flattering. Matching Christmas outfits don’t have to be complicated!

These simple Christmas card outfit ideas can work for any size group, any age range, and almost any type of backdrop:

• Plaid attire
• Matching scarves
• Matching reindeer ears
• Red and green
• Matching baseball hats
• Matching Santa hats
• All black
• Cowboy boots and hats
• Jeans with cream/white sweaters
• Neutrals
• Formal attire
• Hawaiian shirts
• Pajamas
• Clothes for the snow (jackets, boots, hats, scarves)
• Wetsuits or swimsuits
• Striped shirts
• Matching ties or bow ties
• Sports jerseys

As you’re putting together your Christmas photo outfit ideas, there are a few things you should avoid when it comes to creating a cohesive look. The difference between coordinating and clashing can be tricky so use some caution and common sense when selecting an outfit for your Christmas photos.

• Avoid having too many different or clashing patterns and stick to a particular color scheme.
• Think about your shoes! Oftentimes we get all dressed up and then wear our torn-up dirty sneakers without even thinking twice.
• Skip shirts that have text or large images printed on them. As your friends and family receive your holiday cards, they will immediately focus their attention on what your shirt says instead of the cute Christmas outfit you worked so hard on.
• If you’re going for a very patterned look, be sure to pick a more neutral background or location to shoot so the photos don’t come out too busy looking.
• Avoid wearing shades of a color that are similar but not the same, as it may end up looking mismatched in photos.
• Finally, don’t wear anything you don’t feel completely comfortable in or haven’t worn before. It’s much easier to get a good photo when you’re feeling relaxed and confident!

The card’s design will have an impact on what photos you can use and the outfits you can wear. A quick look through Christmas card designs can help give you an idea for your attire.

If you’re more drawn to ornate designs, you may want to choose simpler family photo outfits to balance the whole look of the card (and vice versa). Know that you want gold foil on your card? Incorporate some gold jewelry into your Christmas clothes to tie the photo and design together.

Planning ahead will give you more design options to choose from at the end. The little details will make all the difference.

Of all our family Christmas photo outfit ideas, this is the easiest to execute because you don’t need to worry about finding pieces in the same exact shade for everyone to wear. That said, black and white photos don’t mean you can ignore your wardrobe altogether. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Fair-skinned complexions are best contrasted with darker clothing while darker complexions are brought out by wearing lighter colors.
• To avoid glowing like a ghost in a picture, refrain from stark contrasts of dark and light. This means saying no to black tops with pure white pants unless you don’t mind your legs looking like toothpaste.
• To really pull off this Christmas photoshoot idea, you will want the color of your outfits to have some tonality. Tones are crucial to creating depth in black and white photos. If everyone wears the same shade of black in a dark environment, the post-editing process to add depth will take much longer to fix.

Sometimes life and the holidays can throw a million things at you and your family Christmas photo outfit ideas are the last thing on your mind. No need to worry though, here are some quick and easy Christmas photoshoot ideas:

• Get double the use out of photos from past events. Since you are more likely to dress up for events, special occasion photos from your wedding, maternity shoots, or children’s birthdays are great resources for finding well-dressed pictures of your family together. Upcycle those moments into 2024 Christmas cards!
• When in doubt, use your feet to bail you out. Even plans for matching outfits can end up as a mess — zippers come undone, hats cover faces, and children refuse to wear what you bought them. Skip over those potential hazards and speed up your photo taking with a snap of your family’s shoes or feet. It’s easily accessible and it’ll undoubtedly stand out from a sea of faces. Add your pet in a cute Christmas outfit in the center of your feet for some additional fun.
• Jump on the benefits of technology. Do you have the perfect spring or summer family photo, but want it to feel more like winter? Although a bit unconventional, Photoshop is great for changing the colors of existing outfits — quickly bringing in the holiday spirit. Once you have your photo altered to look like Christmas outfits, utilize our Text Us Your Photo service to receive five holiday card designs, styled with your photo, for FREE.

Though outfits often do the heavy lifting when it comes to creating a cohesive look for your family holiday photo, they aren’t the only way to get a coordinated look. Here are a few easy ways to help your family look more put-together in your Christmas photo.

• Take candid shots. No matter what your Christmas outfits look like, natural interactions often look better in snapshots than stiff, formal poses.
• Wear flannel. The best family Christmas photo outfit ideas are often the simplest. Your entire crew in jeans and flannel shirts will look quaint and cozy, indoors or out.
• Gather ‘round the fire. Christmas mantel decorations are often the first to go up and the most elaborate. Whether you’re in matching outfits or not, your family will look more festive with this as a backdrop. Displaying photos of Christmases past on the mantel can add a fun sense of the passage of time to your cards.
• Find a new perspective. One of our fave tips for taking great family photos is to try out different angles and points of view. An overhead shot of the kids playing on the floor could be whimsical. A shot of the family on a staircase taken from below makes for a fun sense of elevation.
• Keep it fun! Posing for photos can quickly turn into a battle of the wills, especially with small children. Getting everyone to participate in an activity can alleviate the tension and yield some excellent action shots. A snowball fight, game of charades, or dance party could add movement and joy to any Christmas picture outfit ideas you have. No matter what you wear for Christmas photos, the smiles they elicit are the best gift for everyone.

This newfound knowledge is a great opportunity to turn what may seem like a chore into a creative brainstorming session. Providing your family with the power to choose Christmas photoshoot ideas will make them feel like their opinion matters. You can either work with individuals to pick out their Christmas outfits or establish a color palette for them ahead of time and set them loose. If someone isn’t quite ready to determine their own creative direction, put together two Christmas outfit choices and let your partner or children have the final say. Ultimately, the most important thing when choosing your family picture outfits this Christmas is that it honestly reflects who you are. Aim to first capture the pure joy and essence of your family. If that’s your priority, your family’s genuine smiles will make your outfits match perfectly.