20 Baby's First Christmas Ideas: Outfits, Photos & Cozy Traditions
Baby's first Christmas only happens once, and it has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute you're packing away the Halloween bins, the next you're wondering whether a four-month-old needs a stocking. (Yes. Obviously.)
You don't need a perfect plan. Babies won't remember the décor. What they feel is warmth, soft clothes, familiar arms and a routine that holds together. What you will remember is the photos, the tiny outfit, and the morning everyone stayed in pajamas until noon.
Here are 20 ideas we love, grouped so you can pick a few and skip the rest. Some use the prints from our Whimsy Christmas collection, because we designed them for exactly this. Most cost nothing. We've also included the safety notes that matter most this time of year, and the dates you need if you're ordering anything for December 25.
Short on time? Our three favorites are #1 one first-Christmas zippy, #2 matching family pajamas, and #11 the same-spot photo.
Dress the Day
1. Pick one "first Christmas" outfit and let it do the work
One special outfit beats a drawer of tiny sweaters. A long-sleeve zippy is the easiest choice: one zipper, no buttons, nothing scratchy at the neck, and it doubles as what baby sleeps in on Christmas Eve. That means you can put them to bed in it and they wake up already dressed for photos.
Our Christmas Leopard zippy has red, green and gold spots on cream, festive without shouting. If you love a classic look, the Vintage Christmas Goose footie has little geese in oval frames tucked among holly, plus built-in feet, so there are no socks to lose under the tree.
Christmas Leopard Bamboo Zippy$34 · NB to 4TShop this look
Vintage Christmas Goose Footie Bamboo Zippy$34 · NB to 4TShop this look
2. Match the whole family on Christmas morning
Matching family Christmas pajamas are the photo almost every family wants. The trick is a print that looks as good on a grown-up as it does on a baby. Christmas Leopard and Meowy Christmas both come in baby zippies, kids' pajama sets, and men's and women's sets, so everyone from the newborn to Grandpa can match. Grown-up sets come as a shirt, pants, or both, which helps if Dad only wants to commit to the pants.
Christmas Leopard Long Sleeve Pajamas$36 · 12-18M to 16-18YShop this look
Meowy Christmas Women's Bamboo Pajama Setfrom $32 · S to 3XLShop this look
See every print with grown-up sizes in our Family Matching collection.
3. Save a soft dress for Christmas dinner
If you're heading to Grandma's, a stretchy dress is the easiest "dressed up" look for a baby who will be passed around the table all afternoon. Our twirl and Peter Pan collar dresses in Merry & Bright, Christmas Leopard and Meowy Christmas start at 12-18 months, so this idea works best for babies turning one around Christmas, and for big sisters.
4. Add one tiny accessory
A bow headband is the cheapest way to turn an everyday outfit into a holiday outfit. Put it on for photos and take it off for naps. Anything worn around a baby's head should never go to sleep with them.
5. Plan a lighter outfit for a warm house
Holiday homes run hot. The oven has been on since 6 a.m., the fireplace is going and twelve relatives are in the living room. Babies overheat more easily than adults, so a short-sleeve set or short-sleeve zippy makes a smart second outfit for the afternoon. Watch for sweaty hair, flushed cheeks or a hot back of the neck, and take a layer off when you see them.
Cozy, Safe Holiday Nights
6. Choose the sleep sack by TOG, not just by print
A sleep sack keeps baby warm without a loose blanket in the crib. TOG is its warmth rating: a lower number is lighter, a higher number is warmer. Pick a lighter TOG for a warm nursery and 2.5 TOG for a cool one. Several of our Christmas sleep sacks come in 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5 TOG, so you can match the sack to your room, or to Grandma's guest room if you're traveling.
Not sure which number you need? Our guide to what baby should wear to sleep has a room temperature chart for every season.
Browse every print in Bamboo Sleep Sacks.
7. Swaddle the newborns
If your baby will be under two or three months old at Christmas, a big swaddle blanket earns its place. It works as a swaddle, a nursing cover, a stroller shade and the backdrop for your first Christmas photo. Ours are 46 by 46 inches, big enough for a snug wrap. Stop swaddling for sleep as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll over.
8. Start a Christmas Eve box
New pajamas, a board book, and cocoa for the grown-ups, opened on Christmas Eve. It sets up your Christmas morning photo, because everyone is already in their new pajamas when they wake up. It's also one of the few traditions that grows with your kids. Toddlers love the box itself; ten-year-olds will remind you about it in October.
9. Keep the cozy blankets for the big kids
Our Christmas Leopard blanket is lovely for toddlers and big siblings curled up for a Christmas movie. For babies under 12 months, the safe sleep advice is simple: no pillows or loose blankets anywhere in the sleep space. A sleep sack does the same job safely.
Photos & Keepsakes
10. Take the flat-lay tree photo
Spread a swaddle on the floor near the tree, lay baby on their back, and shoot straight down from above. Window light in the morning flatters faces far more than tree lights do. Move breakable ornaments up high first, and keep a hand close. This is an awake-and-supervised photo, not a nap spot.
11. Use the same spot every year
Pick one spot (the same armchair, the same corner by the tree) and take a photo there every Christmas. Year one, your baby looks tiny in it. Year five, they're climbing it. In ten years, that set of photos will be one of your favorite things.
12. Make a handprint or footprint ornament
Salt dough (flour, salt and water) takes an hour to bake and keeps for years. Press baby's hand or foot in gently, poke a hole for the ribbon, and write the year on the back. Once it's finished, hang it high on the tree. Small, breakable keepsakes belong out of reach of the baby who made them.
13. Write a letter to your baby
Write down what they did this year, who held them first, what made them laugh. Seal it and plan to give it to them on a Christmas when they're grown. It takes twenty minutes and you will be very glad you did it.
14. Save the outfit
Wash the first Christmas outfit cold, let it dry flat, and store it in a memory box with the photo of them wearing it. Bamboo stays soft wash after wash, so it'll feel the same when you take it out years from now.
Family & Traditions
15. Put big brother or sister in the same print
A new baby gets a lot of attention at Christmas. Matching pajamas are a simple way to make an older sibling feel part of the moment, not pushed aside by it. Our kids' pajama sets run all the way up to 16-18Y, so even a teenager can join in (with some negotiation).
Find every print with baby and kid sizes in Matching Sibling Sets.
16. Give the grandparents something to wear
Grandparents will take more photos of this baby than anyone else. A men's or women's set in the same print as baby's zippy makes a gift they'll actually use, and it guarantees them a spot in the matching photo.
17. Read the same Christmas book every year
Choose one board book and read it on Christmas Eve, every year. Babies love repetition, and by their third Christmas they'll be "reading" it back to you.
18. Celebrate the reason for the season
For faith-filled families, our Jesus Loves You print puts cream hearts and red bows on soft pink gingham. It's sweet enough for a Christmas Eve service and gentle enough to wear all winter.
Gentle Sensory Play
19. Let them have the wrapping paper
Every parent learns this one fast: babies love the paper more than the present. Crinkly tissue paper is great supervised fun. Clear away tape, small bows and ribbon as soon as playtime is over, since these are easy for little hands to get into their mouths.
20. Watch the lights together
Dim the room in the evening, sit with baby on your lap and watch the tree lights. It's calm, it's free, and it's one of the sweetest five minutes of the season. Just keep cords tucked behind furniture where little hands can't pull them.
A Quick Holiday Safety Check
A few things change around the house in December. These are the ones pediatricians mention most:
- Ornaments: keep glass, breakable and small ornaments, plus metal hooks, on the top half of the tree.
- Button batteries: they hide in string lights, flameless candles, musical ornaments and greeting cards, and can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed. Check that every battery compartment is closed and secured.
- Holiday plants: keep mistletoe, holly berries, amaryllis and Jerusalem cherry out of reach. If you think your child swallowed part of one, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
- Car seats: no puffy coats or snowsuits under the harness. Dress baby in thin layers, buckle them in snugly, then lay a blanket or coat over the straps.
- Sleep away from home: bring a portable crib or play yard. Every sleep, baby goes down alone, on their back, with nothing else in the space. Adult beds, couches and air mattresses aren't safe places for a baby to sleep, even for one night.
- Overheating: don't over-bundle, and skip hats indoors and for sleep.
For the full picture, read our complete guide to safe sleep for babies.
When to Order for Christmas
Every Joey Bamboo piece is made to order, so here's the honest timeline:
| Item | Usual delivery | Order by, for Christmas |
|---|---|---|
| Standard prints (zippies, pajamas, sleep sacks, dresses) | About 2.5–3 weeks | Friday, November 20 |
| Personalized items (name embroidery, custom photo) | About 3–3.5 weeks | Monday, November 16 |
These dates leave room for the extra production time that the holiday rush can add. Missed them? Email us your date before you order and we'll tell you honestly whether it can arrive in time. Every order is also covered by our 30-Night Sleep Trial, so you can buy early without worrying about the fit. Our size chart helps you order for the size your baby will be on Christmas Day, not the size they are today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I buy my baby's first Christmas outfit?
Aim for early to mid-November. Our pieces are made to order, so order standard prints by November 20 and personalized items by November 16 for Christmas delivery.
What should a baby wear on Christmas Day?
Something soft, easy to change and not too warm. A long-sleeve bamboo zippy is ideal: it looks festive in photos, handles diaper changes with one zipper, and works as pajamas that night. Bring a lighter outfit if you'll be in a warm house.
What size should I order?
Order for the size your baby will be on December 25. Babies grow quickly in the first year, so check their current weight and length against our size chart and size up if they're near the top of a range. For sleepwear, a snug fit is the safer fit, so avoid buying several sizes up.
Do you have matching pajamas in adult sizes?
Yes. Christmas Leopard, Meowy Christmas, Merry & Bright and Christmas Tree come in men's and women's sizes S to 3XL, sold as a shirt, pants, or both. Baby and kids' sizes run from newborn to 16-18Y.
What TOG sleep sack does my baby need in winter?
It depends on the room, not the season. Use a lighter TOG for a warm room and 2.5 TOG for a cool room. Our room temperature chart lists the exact ranges, and you can choose 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.5 TOG on several Christmas sleep sacks.
Can my baby sleep in a Christmas headband or hat?
No. Take headbands and hats off before any nap or bedtime. Babies should sleep with nothing on their heads, both to avoid overheating and to keep the sleep space clear.
Is bamboo warm enough for winter?
Yes. Our fabric is 95% viscose from bamboo and 5% spandex, and it's breathable rather than thin, so it helps baby stay comfortable instead of sweaty. For cold nights, keep the bamboo zippy as the base layer and add warmth with a higher-TOG sleep sack.
Is it safe to take photos of my baby under the tree?
Yes, as long as baby is awake and supervised, you've moved breakable ornaments and hooks up high, and light cords are out of reach. Take the photo, then move baby to a safe sleep space for naps.
Make It Merry, Not Perfect
Your baby won't care whether the tree is color-coordinated or the photos are perfect. They'll care that they're warm, comfortable and close to you. Pick two or three ideas from this list, take lots of pictures, and let the rest go.
When you're ready, browse the full Whimsy Christmas collection: storybook holiday prints on buttery-soft bamboo, from newborn to grown-up, made to be worn all season long.
The Joey Bamboo Difference
3° cooler than cotton
Buttery soft & hypoallergenic
30% less water than cotton
