For Christmas card photos, moms look best in a solid or softly patterned dress in red, deep green, black, or cream, with a fabric that has some texture, such as velvet, lace, or embroidery. Pick a midi or maxi length that lets you sit on the floor with kids, and choose sleeves if you will be outdoors in December. Then build the rest of the family's outfits around your dress.
Shop our holiday party dresses, winter dresses, and Christmas maternity dresses.
What should mom wear for Christmas card photos?
Wear the dress you would choose for a holiday party, then check three things before the session:
- Color that reads as Christmas without looking like a costume. Red, evergreen, black, and cream all work. One strong color on mom and quieter colors on everyone else photographs better than five busy prints.
- Texture. Velvet, lace, appliqué, and embroidery catch light and look rich in print, even on a small card.
- A skirt you can move in. Holiday sessions usually include sitting on a rug, lifting a toddler, or kneeling by the tree. A full A-line or tiered skirt covers you in every pose.
Is velvet a good choice for Christmas card photos?
Yes. Velvet has a soft sheen that looks warm under string lights and in window light, and its pile hides small creases from car seats and laps. Keep velvet to one or two people in the photo so it stays the focus. If you want a lighter touch, put velvet on mom only and dress everyone else in cotton or knits.
What colors should mom wear in a Christmas card photo?
Choose your color by where you are shooting:
| Setting | Best colors for mom | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Indoors by the tree | Red or cream | Stands out against green branches and warm lights |
| Snowy field or outdoor park | Red, evergreen, or black | Deep colors pop against white and gray |
| Christmas tree farm | Red, cream, or black | Skip green, which blends into the trees |
| Studio or plain backdrop | Any of the above | Match the backdrop to the card design |
For full family palettes built around one dress, see our Christmas card color palettes for 2026.
Should mom wear sleeves for winter family photos?
If the session is outside in December, sleeves help. Quarter sleeves or sheer long sleeves keep you comfortable between shots and look polished in the frame. For a sleeveless dress, wear a coat until the photographer is ready and take it off for the last few minutes. Skin-tone or black tights also make a cold session easier and do not change the look of a midi or maxi.
Which JessaKae dresses work for Christmas card photos?
Mary Dress in Red
- Rich velvet fabric
- Square neckline lined with pearls
- Bows on the shoulders and a fitted waistline
- Pockets
Sizes XXS to 6X. A red velvet dress is the most classic Christmas card look, and the pearl neckline shows up even in a small printed photo.
Scarlett Dress in Burgundy
- Rich velvet in a deep crimson
- Boat neckline
- Drop waist and bubble skirt
- Back zipper; true to size
Sizes XXS to 6X. The deeper red reads as Christmas without matching a red-velvet sibling exactly, and the bubble skirt gives you room to sit or kneel. Bring a coat for an outdoor session.
Margaret Dress in Green
- Emerald green with floral embroidery
- V-neck with signature shoulder bows
- Empire waist and tiered skirt
- Runs true to size
Sizes XXS to 6X. Emerald reads as Christmas but feels less expected than red, and it looks rich next to cream, red, or navy on the rest of the family.
Fern Dress in Dark Green
- Golden fern print on deep green
- Square neckline
- Full elastic puff sleeves
- Functional front buttons and pockets; size up
Sizes XXS to 6X. The gold in the print picks up twinkle lights, and the full sleeves add coverage for a cold session. Pair it with black or skin-tone tights.
Tilly Dress in Cream
- 100% cotton with smocking
- Square neckline with a keyhole front
- Cap sleeves
- A-line skirt in tea length, with pockets
Sizes XXS to 6X. Cream makes a soft, snowy card and lets the kids' red or plaid outfits stand out.
How do I coordinate with my kids for Christmas card photos?
- Match one, coordinate the rest. Put mom and one child in the same dress, and dress everyone else in solids pulled from that dress.
- Repeat colors instead of prints. If mom wears red velvet, give a daughter a red-and-cream outfit and dad a cream sweater.
- Keep shoes simple. Black, brown, or gold shoes disappear in the frame. Bright sneakers stand out.
For a more relaxed card, the Cerise Dress is a forest green floral cotton midi with a round neckline, three-quarter puff sleeves you can wear off the shoulder, a stretch bodice, a tiered A-line skirt, and pockets, in sizes XXS to 6X. The green florals read as Christmas without velvet, so keep the kids in cream or red, and skip it at a tree farm, where green blends into the trees. Browse matching sets in our Mommy & Me collection, or see every seasonal style in Holiday Dresses.
FAQ
When should I order a dress for Christmas card photos?
Order at least three to four weeks before your session. That leaves time to exchange a full-price dress if you need a different size. Check the size chart before ordering; the Fern runs small, so size up.
Should the whole family wear red for a Christmas card?
No. One or two people in red is enough. Dress the others in cream, black, or green so the photo has a clear focal point.
Is black too dark for a Christmas card photo?
Not if it has texture or sparkle. Florals, appliqués, or silver detail keep a black dress interesting, and it makes red on the kids look brighter.
What size range do these dresses come in?
The Mary, Scarlett, Margaret, Fern, Tilly, and Cerise all come in sizes XXS to 6X.