Your baby’s first Christmas is one of those milestones you’ll want to remember forever. Between meeting family, taking Christmas photos, visiting Santa, attending holiday gatherings and spending a cozy Christmas morning at home, there are plenty of opportunities to dress your little one in something extra special.
But what should a baby wear for their first Christmas?
The best baby’s first Christmas outfit is comfortable enough for your baby to wear happily while still feeling festive and photo-ready. Think soft rompers and bubbles, classic smocked outfits, traditional tartan, sweet Christmas prints and cozy holiday loungewear.
Here’s how to choose the perfect first Christmas baby clothes for every celebration of the season.
1. Choose a Special Outfit for Christmas Day
Christmas Day is the perfect occasion for a traditional baby Christmas outfit you’ll love seeing in photos for years to come.
Classic holiday styles like red and green tartan, smocked Christmas bubbles, embroidered rompers and sweet Christmas dresses feel timeless rather than trendy. They’re especially beautiful for family photos, Christmas dinner and opening presents with grandparents.
For baby girls, look for:
- Smocked Christmas dresses
- Holiday bubbles and swing sets
- Red or green tartan
- Christmas bows and festive prints
- Nutcracker, Christmas tree or Santa details
For baby boys, classic choices include:
- Smocked Christmas rompers
- Tartan bubbles and rompers
- Peter Pan collar shirts
- Embroidered Santa styles
- Coordinating pants and tops
First Christmas tip: Choose something you’d be happy to save in a keepsake box. A classic outfit can become part of your family’s Christmas memories—and maybe even be worn by a younger sibling one day.
2. Have a Baby Christmas Outfit Ready for Holiday Photos
Christmas photos are one of the biggest reasons to plan your baby’s holiday wardrobe early.
For a classic look, you can’t go wrong with tartan, deep Christmas red, evergreen, soft blue or traditional Christmas prints. Smocking and embroidery also photograph beautifully and give an infant Christmas outfit that timeless heirloom feel.
If you’re taking family Christmas pictures, your baby doesn’t need to match everyone exactly. Coordinating colors often photograph better than putting the entire family in the same print.
For example, if baby is wearing red tartan, siblings might wear solid red, green, navy or another coordinating tartan piece.
3. Pick Something Extra Cute for Baby’s First Santa Visit
That first photo with Santa deserves its own outfit!
A Santa-themed romper, bubble or dress is an adorable choice, but traditional red and white, tartan and smocked Christmas styles work beautifully too.
Just remember that babies can quickly become uncomfortable in elaborate clothing. Look for soft fabrics, comfortable fits and styles that make diaper changes easy.
After all, the cutest baby Christmas outfit is one your baby is actually happy wearing.
4. Don't Forget Baby's First Christmas Loungewear
Christmas pajamas are practically a holiday requirement—especially for a first Christmas.
Choose soft Christmas loungewear for babies that works for Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and all those cozy December evenings at home.
Christmas trees, Santa, gingerbread, nutcrackers and classic holiday prints are all adorable choices.
And if there are older brothers or sisters in the family, coordinating Christmas loungewear makes Christmas morning photos even sweeter.
5. Dress Baby for Christmas Parties and Family Gatherings
Your baby's first holiday season probably includes more than Christmas Day.
There may be church, school events for older siblings, Christmas parties, dinners with grandparents and visits with extended family.
This is where having a few different first Christmas baby clothes can be useful.
You might choose:
A dressier outfit
A smocked dress, bubble or romper for Christmas dinner, church and family celebrations.
A festive everyday outfit
A comfortable Christmas romper, swing set or coordinating set for daytime activities.
Christmas loungewear
Something soft and cozy for evenings, travel and Christmas morning.
You don't need a completely different outfit for every event. Choose a few versatile Christmas pieces that can be worn throughout the holiday season.
6. Consider the Weather When Choosing an Infant Christmas Outfit
December weather can look very different depending on where you live.
If you live somewhere warm, lightweight bubbles, rompers and dresses can still work beautifully for Christmas. Add knee socks, a cardigan or a light layer when temperatures drop.
For colder climates, look for Christmas outfits that can easily be layered with tights, sweaters, coats and warm accessories.
This is especially helpful when traveling for the holidays. Your baby's main outfit can stay festive and comfortable while layers are added or removed as needed.
7. Coordinate Siblings for Christmas
If baby's first Christmas includes older siblings, coordinating their outfits creates especially sweet family photos.
But coordinating doesn't have to mean identical.
Try choosing one common element—such as tartan, Christmas red, evergreen, Santa embroidery or a particular holiday print—and use it throughout everyone's outfits.
A baby might wear a tartan bubble while an older sister wears a coordinating tartan dress and an older brother wears a Christmas shirt with complementary pants.
The result feels coordinated without being overly matched.
How Many Christmas Outfits Does a Baby Need?
There isn't one right number, but three types of Christmas outfits are enough for most babies:
- A special Christmas outfit for photos, parties and Christmas Day
- A casual festive outfit for December activities
- Christmas loungewear or pajamas for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning
If your family has several holiday events—or you simply love dressing your baby for Christmas—you can add additional rompers, bubbles, dresses and sets throughout the season.
When Should You Buy Your Baby's First Christmas Outfit?
Start shopping earlier than you might think.
If you're planning professional Christmas photos, Santa pictures or personalized clothing, you'll need the outfit well before December 25. Popular sizes can also sell out as Christmas approaches.
For Christmas pre-order baby clothes, pay close attention to estimated delivery dates and order early enough to have your pieces before your first holiday event.
Shopping early also gives you time to coordinate sibling outfits and accessories without the last-minute Christmas rush.
What Is the Best Outfit for a Baby's First Christmas?
The best baby's first Christmas outfit combines three things: comfort, practicality and a little Christmas magic.
Choose soft fabrics and baby-friendly silhouettes, but don't be afraid to make the occasion feel special. Classic tartans, smocking, embroidery, Christmas prints and traditional holiday colors create beautiful outfits that won't feel dated when you look back at photos years from now.
Most importantly, choose something that feels like your family. Whether that's a traditional smocked romper for Christmas dinner, matching Christmas loungewear for the whole sibling crew or the sweetest little Santa outfit for baby's first visit with St. Nick, these are the clothes that become part of your family's holiday memories.
Baby's First Christmas Outfit FAQ
What should a newborn wear for Christmas?
A newborn should wear something soft, comfortable and easy to change. A Christmas-themed romper, footed loungewear or soft bubble with a festive print can make a newborn feel dressed for the occasion without sacrificing comfort.
What should a baby wear for Christmas pictures?
For Christmas pictures, choose timeless colors and details such as red, green, tartan, smocking, embroidery or classic Christmas prints. If taking family photos, coordinate baby's outfit with the rest of the family rather than making every outfit identical.
What should a baby boy wear for his first Christmas?
A baby boy can wear a smocked Christmas romper, tartan bubble, embroidered Christmas shirt and pants or festive loungewear. Traditional Santa, Christmas tree and tartan designs are classic choices.
What should a baby girl wear for her first Christmas?
Popular options include smocked Christmas dresses, bubbles, swing sets, tartan dresses and festive rompers. Add a coordinating bow, tights or knee socks depending on the weather and occasion.
Do babies need a special outfit for Christmas Day?
They don't need one, but many families choose a special infant Christmas outfit because baby's first Christmas is such a memorable milestone. A timeless outfit also makes Christmas photos feel extra special.
Should I size up when buying a baby's Christmas outfit?
Check the individual item's size guide and expected delivery date, particularly when ordering a Christmas pre-order. Babies grow quickly, so consider how old and what size your baby is likely to be when the outfit will actually be worn.
Celebrate Baby's First Christmas with The Bella Bean
From classic smocked Christmas outfits and festive tartans to sweet rompers, bubbles, dresses and cozy holiday loungewear, The Bella Bean makes it easy to find first Christmas baby clothes that feel just as special as the occasion.
Shop early, plan those Christmas photos and enjoy every sweet little moment—because there's only one baby's first Christmas.
