The Magic of Baby Christmas Costumes for Holiday Photo Shoots
There is a very short window when a baby will sit in a Santa suit, look at the camera, and not object. It is about ninety seconds long, and it produces the photo that ends up on the Christmas card, the grandparents' fridge, and eventually the wedding slideshow. We have helped a lot of families nail that window. Here is what to wear and how to make the shoot go smoothly.
Why a baby Christmas costume is worth it
A baby in regular clothes next to a tree is a nice photo. A baby dressed as Santa, an elf, or a gingerbread cookie is a story. Christmas costumes for infants are also more practical than most people expect: nearly all of ours are jumpsuit or bunting styles with snaps and zippers, so they go on quickly and come off just as fast when the baby has had enough.
Baby Santa: the classic
The Baby Santa Costume (12-18 months) is a lined zippered jumpsuit with faux fur accents, an attached belt, and leg snaps, plus a hood with faux fur hair, a detached beard, and skid-resistant booties. The same design comes as the Baby Santa Suit for 6-12 months. If you want a simpler version for a wiggly toddler, the 18-24 month Baby Santa is a snap-front jumpsuit with skid-resistant feet and a hat for $39.99 at time of writing.
Gingerbread, elves, and a Christmas bunny
The Baby Sweet Gingerbaby is a lined zippered jumpsuit with an attached vest, leg snaps for easy diaper changes, a gingerbread hood with rickrack trim, and slip-on booties with skid-resistant bottoms. It photographs beautifully next to a plate of real cookies. The Baby Santa's Lil Elf (6-12 months) layers a short zippered jumpsuit with attached belt over a striped under-jumpsuit, both with snaps, plus a hat and booties (the page notes booties are for indoor use only). And for something softer, the Baby Christmas Bunny is a one-piece pink suit with mittens and an open-faced hood with floppy ears, a sweet nod to a certain classic Christmas movie.
Sizing by months
Baby Christmas costumes are sized by age range, and each product page lists it. Babies grow fast between when you order and when you shoot, so if the photo is a few weeks out or your baby is near the top of a range, size up. Roomy is fine in photos; tight does not go on.
Photo shoot tips from experience
- Shoot after a nap and a feed. A fed, rested baby buys you that ninety-second window. A hungry one buys you nothing.
- Dress the baby last. Set up the tree, the lights, the blanket, and the camera first. Then put the costume on.
- Use daylight. Sit near a window during the day and turn the tree lights on for sparkle in the background. Skip flash.
- Get low. Shoot at the baby's eye level, not from above.
- Have a helper. One person shoots, one person makes noises just behind the camera.
- Take the hood off for a few frames. Some of the best shots are the "Santa's off duty" ones.
Make it a family picture
The baby Santa photo gets even better with the rest of the family in it. A parent in a suit from our Santa Suits collection, a big sibling in an elf costume from Kids Christmas Costumes, and the dog in an elf suit turn one cute picture into the whole card. Our baby Christmas costumes also work for a "Baby's First Christmas" theme with a personalized stocking in the frame.
Care and timing
Most baby costumes are spot clean or hand wash; check the product page and, when nothing is listed, use a damp cloth and air dry. Order early in December because peak-season processing takes 24 to 72 hours before shipping, and photos have deadlines that cards do not forgive. Find every option in Baby Christmas Costumes, and the wider Christmas Themed Costumes collection for everyone else. Prices are accurate at time of writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best baby costume for Christmas photos?
Baby Santa is the classic, and our versions include a lined jumpsuit, hood with beard, and skid-resistant booties. Gingerbread, Santa's Lil Elf, and a pink Christmas bunny are the favorite alternatives.
How do I pick the right size baby Christmas costume?
Go by the month range on the product page and size up if your baby is near the top of a range or the photo is a few weeks away. A roomy costume photographs fine; a tight one does not go on.
Are baby Christmas costumes easy for diaper changes?
Yes, most of ours list zippers and leg snaps in the product features, including the baby Santa, gingerbread, and elf costumes.
When should I order a baby Christmas costume for a photo shoot?
At least two weeks before the shoot. During September through December, processing takes 24 to 72 hours, and ground shipping typically arrives 3 to 5 business days after your order ships.