15 Beautiful Photo Ideas for Your Baby's First Christmas
Edit: as of Dec 14, 2023, some of the photos I embedded are no longer working. I'm going to try to fix them but for now, hopefully you find the descriptions helpful!
'Tis the season! It's the time of year when you're probably considering how you want to remember your baby's first Christmas. What better way to do that than to dress them up and take some beautiful pictures?
I've searched the internet and Instagram to find the most beautiful Christmas photos of babies you can steal or take inspiration from.
I hope you enjoy these fifteen Christmas photo ideas. Let's get right into it.
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1. Grab That Ornament
This photo idea is probably the easiest on the list, yet it's wonderful because you get to focus on your little one's cute, chubby fingers.
To recreate this photo, pick a Christmas ornament from your tree and have your baby grab it. I'm sure they won't be able to resist!
What you'll need:
- A festive ornament from your Christmas tree. That's it!
2. Fall Asleep in Santa's Arms
This baby photo is hard to time but still would be cute regardless of whether your baby is sleeping or not!
To pull this off, you'll want to register a visit with Santa, or depending on where you live, visit him at a mall. Perhaps near the end of a busy outing, your baby will be sleepy by the time they get to see Santa!
What you'll need:
- A photoshoot booked with Santa Claus
- A baby Santa hat
- A Christmas-themed outfit
3. Sleepy Elf
This cute photo needs a bit more prep but if you have the means to recreate it, why not?
You can recreate this look by crocheting or purchasing a crochet elf hat and Christmas-themed blanket, scarf, or wrap. Just wap your sleeping baby up and lay them on a cozy blanket and you're golden!
What you'll need:
- A crochet elf hat: You can purchase one here or make your own if you’re crafty!
- A Christmas-themed crochet blanket/scarf/wrap: you can make one using this free pattern or purchase this one.
- A white, fluffy blanket
4. Tummy Time Near the Christmas Tree
I'm for sure going to steal this baby Christmas photo - it's absolutely beautiful!
Just place out a soft blanket, dress your baby up in a Santa hat, red outfit, and black socks, and lay them on their tummy in front of your decorated Christmas tree. After that, take the picture from behind your baby, and voilà - you're a professional photographer!
What you'll need:
- A baby Santa hat
- A red baby onesie
- Decorated Christmas tree
- A white, fluffy blanket
5. A Blanket of Snow
Clearly, I love how sweet babies look when they're asleep! While your baby is asleep and wearing a winter-themed outfit and Santa hat, lay them on their tummy while under your Christmas tree. As well, put some ornaments next to them.
To complete the photo, you can put some Christmas lights under a soft blanket to light your baby up. Using, a white fluffy blanket gives off the appearance of snow. So cute!
What you'll need:
- Gift box Christmas ornaments
- A baby Santa hat
- Winter-themed outfit
- White, fluffy blanket
- Christmas lights
6. Little Antlers
Look at how happy this little reindeer is! This is a very simple photo idea.
Put a red onsie and reindeer antlers on your baby and place them in a crawling position on a carpet. Make sure to have your Christmas tree lit up in the background. If you have good photography or editing skills, you can blur the background so the main focus is your baby.
- A red baby onesie
- A baby reindeer headband like this one or this one.
- A decorated Christmas tree
7. Cozy Sweater and Cuddles
Who said ugly Christmas sweaters couldn't be for babies too? They're even cozier when getting kisses and hugs from mom or dad.
Put on a Santa hat and dress your baby in a Christmas sweater. Bonus points if you wear an ugly Christmas sweater as well! Prop your baby on your lap and give them kisses and snuggles and have someone take the picture for you.
What you'll need:
- An ugly Christmas sweater for your baby like this one or this one.
- A Santa hat for yourself
8. Silly Candy Cane Lover
How hilarious, yet adorable is this Christmas photo? The silly Christmas-themed glasses really add something special. The decorative pillows and white blanket add a nice touch as well.
Like many of these ideas, put a Santa hat on your baby along with some Christmas-themed glasses. Lay them on their tummy on a white blanket and put a couple of candy canes near their hands. If they're at the stage of development, they'll most likely grab at the candy canes.
Place some Christmas lights and decorative pillows around your baby and you got yourself a fun photo!
What you'll need:
- A couple of candy canes
- Christmas lights
- A baby Santa hat
- Christmas-themed glasses
- Red and white throw pillows
9. Baby's First Christmas Presents
This sweet baby is dressed up exactly like Santa Claus except the hat makes it explicit that it's their very first Christmas! Surround them with some wrapped presents and prop them on a plaid decorative pillow.
Though this photo looks like it might've been taken professionally, you can mimic it the best you can and go all out by blurring a background of Christmas lights and decorations.
What you'll need:
- Baby’s “first Christmas” Santa hat
- A baby Santa suit like this one or you can skip the above item by getting this outfit or this one
- Some wrapped presents
- Plaid, red and white decorative pillow
10. Light Up Those Little Feet
Here's another simple idea! Take some green Christmas lights, wrap them around your baby, and take a picture of their little feet in some cozy booties.
Sometimes simple is the best policy.
What you'll need:
- Christmas-themes baby slippers
- Green Christmas lights
I also couldn't help but look for some fun baby's first Christmas photo ideas on Instagram. Below are five of my favourites.
11. Snowman Cookie
In another blog post, I saw an idea similar to this one, except the mom took their gingerbread cookie coffee mug and held it up in front of her camera while her kids laid on a blanket.
For this cute idea, bite off the head of a snowman cookie, lay your baby on a blanket and hold the cookie in front of your camera so your baby's body is replaced by the snowman cookie, showing only their head. I call that a sweet cookie!
What you'll need:
- Snowman sugar cookies (here's a recipe by one of my favourite food bloggers)
- A beige, knitted blanket
- A baby Santa hat
12. Big Round Belly Custom Message
I couldn't help but smile when I saw this photo on Instagram. You can use a felt-letter board sign and copy the message "I bet Santa is jelly of my big round belly" or come up with a message just as clever.
Dress your baby in a red and white onesie with a matching crochet elf hat and lay them beside the board sign. Very cheeky!
What you'll need:
13. Elf Duo
I love this Christmas photo idea because it gets your family pooch involved. If you have a dog, a pet, or even another child, have them dressed up in green or an elf costume to match your baby.
The look of surprise on this baby's face is adorable! Maybe you can surprise your baby by letting them hold an ornament, candy cane, or something else that's Christmas-ey!
What you'll need:
- Baby elf costume (this is the same as the one in the photo)
- Elf dog costume
14. A Message to Santa
If you're celebrating Christmas while your baby is under 6 months old, chances are they only care about milk. You can play around with the milk and cookie tradition and use the felt-letter board sign to write a message to Santa on behalf of your baby.
Dress your baby up in some Christmas pyjamas, create the board sign, lay out some breast milk or formula and put some cookies on a platter to recreate this baby photo.
What you'll need:
- A felt-letter board sign
- Santa pyjama onesie
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Platter
- A bottle of pumped milk or formula
15. Wrapped up in Christmas Lights
Last but not least, this photo idea will likely embarrass your little one if you show it to them when they're older, but it's so worth it!
While they're undressed, put on a Santa hat, lay them on their tummy on a white, knitted blanket, and wrap them in some Christmas lights. Like this mom, just hope they don't wet the blanket!
What you'll need:
- A white knitted blanket
- A baby Santa hat
- Christmas lights
There you have it! These were my top fifteen baby's first Christmas photo ideas.
I hope you found some inspiration and will try out one or two of these. Most importantly, have fun and customize as you see fit! I know I'll for sure be trying out some of these ideas myself. Let me know in the comments which ideas you wanna try.
If you're a new mom, like me, and liked this article, I encourage you to check out some of my other blog posts.
In this article, I list some unique items I wish I had when my baby was a newborn. I'd love for you to check this post out and add in the comments some items you'd add to my list.
Happy Holidays!
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