What to Wear for Christmas Photos: 8 Christmas Setups for 2026
Christmas sessions are coming back to the studio, and this year I’m going BIG! 🎄
One of the questions I hear every single year is, “What should we wear for our Christmas pictures?” And I completely understand why! Your outfits can make such a difference in how your final images come together—especially when you have several completely different Christmas looks to choose from.
This year, I’ll have 8 unique Christmas setups in my Stafford, Virginia studio, with everything from glamorous Christmas in NYC to cozy pajamas, traditional Santa magic, snowy winter scenes and whimsical peppermint fun.
So I put together this guide to help you choose your favorite Christmas setup AND what to wear with it!
Let’s take a look! 🎄✨
NYC Taxi Cab Christmas
Think fashion-forward Christmas in New York City — chic, polished and a little glamorous. This setup is perfect for dressier looks with black, white, cream and pops of holiday red.
What to wear: tweed jackets, stylish coats, dresses or skirts, boots, dress pants, sweaters, scarves, earmuffs and fashionable winter accessories.
This is the setup to have a little FUN with your Christmas fashion! ✨
Rockefeller Center Christmas
Classic NYC Christmas magic! 🎄 This setup has that elegant winter-in-the-city feel and is perfect for families who want something cozy but still elevated.
What to wear: faux fur, beautiful winter coats, scarves, earmuffs, gloves, boots and layered winter looks. And if you have them, ice skates make the perfect accessory! ⛸️
Think cozy, luxe and straight out of Christmas in New York City. ✨
Snowy Window Christmas
Soft, cozy and full of winter magic. ❄️ This setup is all about that warm-and-cozy-inside-while-it-snows-outsidefeeling.
What to wear: cozy sweaters, knit hats, earmuffs, scarves and layered winter looks. Soft neutrals, creams and classic winter tones will photograph beautifully here.
Think snuggly, snowy and timeless Christmas. ✨
Christmas Hot Chocolate Stand
Sweet, festive and full of classic Christmas fun! ☕🎄 This setup is perfect for traditional holiday outfits—or you can lean into the theme and make it extra playful.
What to wear: reds, greens, plaids, cozy sweaters and classic Christmas outfits. For an extra-fun look, bring aprons + chef hats and turn your little ones into the cutest hot cocoa helpers!
Think traditional Christmas with a playful twist. ✨
Waiting for Santa
Christmas Eve coziness at its sweetest! 🎄 This setup is made for snuggling up, getting comfy and capturing that magical feeling of waiting for Santa to arrive.
What to wear: Christmas pajamas, matching family PJs, cozy socks, robes and all things soft and comfy.
Think Christmas Eve, bedtime stories and all the cozy holiday magic. ✨
Santa’s Toy Shop
This is classic Christmas magic — colorful, festive and filled with all the nostalgia of Santa’s workshop! 🎅🏻🎁
What to wear: reds, greens, plaids, velvet, festive dresses, sweaters, suspenders and traditional Christmas outfits.
Think classic Christmas colors, childhood magic and all the excitement of Santa’s Toy Shop. ✨
Santa’s Nook
This is where the Santa magic really comes to life! 🎅🏻✨ A classic, intimate Christmas setting perfect for those sweet conversations with Santa and checking that all-important Naughty or Nice List.
What to wear: dressy Christmas outfits, velvet, plaids, rich reds and greens, bows, suspenders and classic holiday layers.
Think timeless Christmas portraits + magical moments with Santa. 🎄
Peppermint Town
Sweet, whimsical and bursting with Christmas fun! 🍬🎄 Peppermint Town is perfect for families who want something playful, colorful and completely different from the traditional Christmas look.
What to wear: reds, whites, pinks, peppermint stripes, festive dresses, sweaters and playful candy-inspired accessories.
Think candy-shop Christmas magic with lots of personality! ✨
