Family Christmas Pajama Shirts: Colors, Sizing and Christmas Morning Photo Tips
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Family Christmas pajama shirts give you the matching-pajama photo without buying full pajama sets that only come out once a year. Everyone wears a printed long-sleeve top with the pajama pants, joggers or leggings they already own, and the shirts still work as everyday tees in January. Here's how to coordinate the set, pick colors that photograph well, size everyone from adults to baby, and take a Christmas-morning photo you'll actually want to print.
Why Pajama Shirts Instead of Full Pajama Sets
- Bring your own bottoms. Plaid pants, sweatpants or leggings each person already owns will do. Only the tops need to match.
- They get worn again. A long-sleeve tee goes under a flannel or on its own for lazy weekends, long after the tree comes down.
- Easy to add people. There's no minimum order, so a visiting cousin or a new baby can be added later with a single shirt.
- Soft and light. Adult and youth tops are lightweight long-sleeve tees that are comfortable to sleep in and easy to layer.
How to Coordinate Family Christmas Pajama Shirts
Pick one design family and give each person a line within it. All five sets below list adult, youth, toddler and baby sizes on a single product page:
- Claus Family Christmas Pajama Shirts: Papa, Mama, Grandpa, Grandma, Nana, Mimi, Gigi, Big Bro, Big Sis, Lil Bro, Lil Sis and Baby Claus.
- North Pole Correctional Family Pajama Shirts: "Inmate #1225" with a different charge for each person, like Naughty List Repeat Offender or Too Much Holiday Cheer.
- Most Likely To Christmas Pajama Shirts: 18 superlatives, including "Nap on Christmas" and "Start Christmas with Coffee."
- Dear Santa Christmas Pajama Shirts: seven excuses, from "Dear Santa, I Can Explain" to "Dear Santa, Just Bring Coffee."
- Elf Family Christmas Pajama Shirts: Sassy, Bossy, Sleepy, Cookie, Gamer and Baby Elf, among others.
Assign Lines With the Photo in Mind
Funny sets land best when the lines tell a story side by side. Give "Dear Santa, It Was My Brother" and "Dear Santa, It Was My Sister" to siblings who will stand next to each other, or put "Excessive Eggnog" on the parent holding the mug. Settle who gets which line before you order, so nobody ends up with one they don't like.
Picking Colors That Look Good on Christmas Morning
The pajama shirts come in red, white and black, and each one photographs differently:
- Red reads as Christmas instantly and stands out against a green tree. It looks best when the room behind you is fairly neutral.
- Black makes the printed colors pop, hides cocoa spills and looks sharp against a white wall or a light sofa.
- White is bright and clean against a dark couch or a deep-green tree, and it bounces soft light back onto faces.
The Toddler Rule
In the pajama sets, toddler sizes come in white or black only. If you want an identical color on everyone, choose black or white. If you prefer red, dress the toddler in white; one contrasting shirt in the middle of the group looks deliberate.
Keep the Bottoms Simple
Limit the photo to one pattern. If the bottoms are plaid, keep blankets and pillows solid; if the bottoms are solid, a plaid throw can be the pattern. Bottoms that repeat the shirt color, like red plaid with black tops or gray joggers with white tops, tie the picture together.
Sizing the Set From Adults to Baby
| Who | Sizes | Style | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | XS–2XL | Unisex long-sleeve tee | $32.99 (2XL $34.99) |
| Youth | S–L | Youth long-sleeve tee | $29.99 |
| Toddler | 2T–5T | Short-sleeve tee, white or black | $26.99 |
| Baby | 6M–24M | Short-sleeve bodysuit | $27.99 |
- Adults: sizes are unisex and true to size. Go up one for a looser, sleep-friendly fit.
- 3XL and up: the pajama tops stop at 2XL. Every design here also comes as a short-sleeve tee up to adult 5XL in the family Christmas shirts collection, and the Claus design comes as a sweatshirt in S–5XL.
- Toddlers and babies: these pieces are short-sleeve. Layer a plain long-sleeve underneath for warmth; the print stays front and center.
- Kids between sizes: size up. Youth tops end at L, so bigger kids can move into adult XS.
Because each shirt is printed to order, returns aren't accepted for size changes, so confirm sizes before checkout. Misprints or damage reported within 7 days of delivery are reprinted or refunded under our quality promise.
Christmas Morning Photo Tips
- Set up the night before. Put a phone on a tripod or stand where you want the group shot, test the self-timer and charge the battery. In the morning, all you need to do is press the button.
- Take the group shot first. Get one clean photo before any gifts are opened, while the shirts are spotless and the room is tidy. Then switch to candids.
- Use window light. Face the family toward a window, turn off harsh overhead lights and leave the tree lights on for background glow. Skip the flash; it flattens faces and washes out prints.
- Make the prints readable. Shoot from chest height, seat kids on the floor in front and adults on the sofa behind, and ask everyone to face the camera so folded arms don't cover their lines.
- Use burst mode for gift opening. Reactions happen fast, and a burst catches the moment a single tap misses.
- Add a prop or two. Cocoa in Claus Family Christmas Mugs ties the mugs to the shirts. The family dog is always welcome, and a dog or cat lover Christmas shirt brings the pet parent into the theme.
When to Order for Christmas Morning
Pajama shirts are printed to order and ship in 3–5 business days, then take 1–6 business days in ground transit depending on your region. We ship from the Northeast, so nearby states get the shortest transit and the West Coast the longest. Order by December 10 for Christmas delivery in the contiguous US, or by December 7 for West Coast, Mountain and Texas addresses. If your family opens new pajamas on Christmas Eve, or you want the shirts for a holiday card photo, order in November. There's no minimum, and orders of $120 or more ship free.
More holiday guides: how to plan matching family Christmas shirts and teacher, nurse and coworker Christmas gifts.
FAQ
Are family Christmas pajama shirts long sleeve for everyone?
Adult and youth sizes are long-sleeve tees. Toddler sizes are short-sleeve tees and baby sizes are short-sleeve bodysuits, printed with the same designs.
What colors do the pajama shirts come in?
Red, white and black. Toddler sizes come in white or black.
Do the pajama shirts come with pants?
No. They're tops only, made to pair with pajama pants, joggers or leggings you already own.
What if someone needs a size larger than 2XL?
Order the same design as a short-sleeve tee, available up to adult 5XL, or the Claus design as a sweatshirt up to 5XL.
When should I order pajama shirts for Christmas morning?
Order by December 10 for Christmas delivery in the contiguous US, or by December 7 for West Coast, Mountain and Texas addresses. Order in November if you need them for Christmas Eve or a holiday card photo.
How should I wash them?
Wash inside out in cold water and tumble dry low.
Ready for Christmas Morning?
Browse every design in the Christmas pajama shirts collection, or print your own family design on a custom long sleeve tee. No minimum, free shipping on orders of $120 or more, and order by December 10 for Christmas delivery.