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Originally Published Oct 2, 2022・ Updated 2026
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The Best Baby’s First Christmas Photo Ideas
Searching for cute baby’s first Christmas photo ideas? I’ve searched high and low to bring you the very best and sweetest newborn Christmas photo ideas that I know you’re going to love!
Let’s dive in –
01. Napping Under the Christmas Tree
DIY this sweet sleeping baby under the Christmas tree photo by putting your little one in a sweet red, green or white outfit, laying them in a woven changing or Moses basket, and adding some pretty, neutral knits.
To recreate this look, you’ll need:
- woven changing basket or Moses basket
- the most *precious* knit baby blanket
- a double pom pom bonnet
- Christmas-toned outfit
- wooden milestones plaque
02. Flat Lay with Stocking, Lights and Mini Christmas Tree
This cute baby’s first Christmas photo idea is a great little set-up for those mamas that have it all together enough to order a special customized stocking for their little’s first Christmas.
To create this scene, grab a pretty, fluffy blanket, a miniature Christmas tree or garland, and a few small ornaments or decor pieces that you already have set out for Christmas.
To recreate this baby’s first Christmas photo, you’ll need:
- a Christmas stocking
- a miniature Christmas tree
- a light colored blanket
- Santa baby sweater
- a string of fairy lights
03. Cuties in A Christmas Cup Picture
How sweet is this! Have your little one (or ones) lay down on the floor, then grab your favorite Christmas mug and hold it near your camera or phone and snap your pic.
While the matching Christmas-themed tops are definitely the cherry on top, this photo would still be totally adorable without.
For this Christmas picture idea, you’ll need:
- a cute Gingerbread man mug (or Santa)
- Christmas outfit
- Christmas hair bow or hat
04. Wooden Sled and Christmas Wreath Photo Idea
Although this photo was definitely a studio set-up done by a professional photographer, you can definitely recreate the look yourself.
Consider setting up a wooden sled by a nice, neutral wall in your home that gets some nice, indirect light, or try setting the sleigh up outside of your front door.
Grab a cozy blanket and nestle your little one in for a cute and festive photo.
For this cute Christmas photo, you’ll need:
- a wooden sleigh
- a faux wreath
- a white blanket
- a white backdrop
- a velvet Christmas romper
05. Christmas Gift Under the Tree
This fun Christmas photo idea is super simple and barely requires any set up at all.
Capture just a peek of your Christmas tree set up, along with your little one amongst the presents by laying them on a pretty, seasonal patterned blanket.
For this Christmas photo idea, you’ll need:
- a red or green pacifier
- a plaid blanket
- Christmas gifts wrapped in pretty paper
- a Christmas outfit
06. Baby with First Christmas Plaque and Santa Hat
To really get the Santa’s hat to pop, keep things neutral like this mama did with a nice, crisp white onesie and warm beige muslin.
These super adorable personalized wood plaques not only make for a great photo prop, but a special keepsake, too.
For this sweet Christmas photo, you’ll need:
- a baby-sized Santa hat
- a white onesie
- a baby’s first Christmas plaque
- a pretty swaddle or blanket
07. Mama & Baby Looking at the Christmas Tree
Looking for a cute Christmas idea that includes mom?
Cuddle up together in a sweet, matching outfit and ask daddy to capture the special mother-daughter moment, admiring the glistening lights.
To recreate this cute look, you’ll need:
- a Christmas tree
- giant neutral ornaments
- a matching neutral outfit with baby
- a fur throw
- knit socks
Or, set a timer on your phone and have Dad pop into the photos, too.
08. Christmas Cozy Coupe Christmas Baby Photos
Did you know you could totally transform the Little Tike’s Cozy Coupe into a super adorable Christmas wagon with just a few supplies, and a few cans of paint?
Well, you sure can – check out the full line-up of photo ideas and learn how to DIY your own Christmas Cozy Coupe here – 21+ *Very Aesthetic* Cozy Coupe Makeover Ideas (That You Can DIY!)
What you’ll need to recreate this photo:
- a Cozy Coupe
- A green waffle toddler tea
- Speckled beanie
09. Christmas Ornament Baby Bum
Is there a cuter way to capture your baby’s first Christmas than this?
I do not think so.
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a chunky knit blanket
- Santa baby knit beanie
- a red Christmas ornament
- a red and white pom pom garland
10. Snuggle Me Organic Under the Christmas Tree
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a Christmas tree
- a red hair bow
- a Christmas onesie
- a Snuggle Me Organic or Snuggle Me Organic dupe with a white cover
11. Baby in Front of Christmas Tree
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a Christmas tree
- knit ruffle baby socks
- red and white buffalo plaid bloomers
- a Santa baby onesie
12. Sleeping Baby in Christmas Outfit
What you’ll need to recreate this look:
- beige and white baby romper
- knit socks
- beige and white Santa hat (similar)
13. Stealing Santa’s Cookies
14. Baby’s First Christmas Lights
For this photo, you’ll need:
15. Life-Sized Elf on the Shelf Baby Photo
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a baby-sized Elf on the Shelf costume
- a can of whipped cream
16. Not So Happy Baby in a Santa Hat
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a baby-sized Santa hat
- a white onesie
- a Christmas tree
17. Sweet Sleeping Baby in a Christmas Onesie
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a baby-sized Santa hat
- a cute Christmas onesie
- a white blanket or sheet
18. Christmas Tree Cookie Baby Picture
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a Christmas tree gingerbread cookie
- a knit deer bonnet
- a white blanket or sheet
19. Baby in a Box by the Christmas Tree
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a baby Santa hat
- a cardboard box
- a Sharpie
- a Christmas tree
20. Baby with Your Family Christmas Card
To recreate this look, you’ll need:
What a sweet way to remember baby’s first Christmas!
To recreate this photo idea, you’ll need:
- a string of fairy lights
- bottle brush Christmas trees
- a pretty white blanket
- a knit beanie
- a green onesie and white overalls
- felt Christmas tree ornaments
- a baby announcement card
21. Snowman Cookie Christmas Photo Idea
For this photo, you’ll need:
- a snowman-shaped sugar cookie
- a cute winter hat
- a fluffy blanket
22. Baby’s First Hot Chocolate Bath
23. Santa’s Hand Reaching In
This one is pure holiday magic, and it’s shockingly simple to pull off. Cut a section of red stocking fabric with a white cuff, tuck it around someone’s hand and arm, and suddenly it looks like Santa’s own sleeve and glove reached right in to hold your baby.
It’s a forced-perspective trick shot you can set up at home with zero fuss, no elf on standby required. Boston newborn photographer Isabel Sweet calls it one of her most-requested at-home Christmas setups, and once you try it, you’ll understand the hype.
24. Baby’s Grand Entrance Down the Chimney
Forget store-bought backdrops, mama — this idea has you building your own chimney out of cardboard. Paint it up, dress it with garland, and pop your baby, dressed as Santa naturally, right at the base like they just tumbled down for their very first Christmas.
It takes a little extra crafting time, but that’s exactly why it stands out. This DIY concept, credited to @thriftedqueen, was named a standout 2024 idea in Becoming Mamas’ newborn Christmas roundup for going way beyond the typical Santa-hat shot.
Mama safety tip: Weight the base or tape the chimney to a wall so it can’t tip toward baby, and keep it just out of arm’s reach for the shot.
25. Tucked Into an Oversized Stocking
If your newborn is more sleepy than smiley these days, this pose is your best friend. Nestle baby fully inside an oversized knit Christmas stocking, lay it on faux fur under the tree, and let just their sweet little face peek out of the cuff.
It’s cozy, it’s contained, and it works with a snoozing baby instead of against one. Credited to @_sarahliz, this concept landed on Becoming Mamas’ list of most-saved 2024 newborn Christmas photo ideas.
Mama safety tip: Keep the cuff folded back so it frames baby’s face instead of nesting them deeper in, and keep a hand right at the fabric’s edge the whole time to hold it clear of their nose and mouth.
26. Matching Gingerbread Pajamas for Siblings
Got a big sibling in the mix? This one’s for you. Dress your older kiddo and your new baby in coordinating, not identical, gingerbread-print pajama sets for a sweet sibling-styling moment that says holidays without going too matchy-matchy.
The coordinating-not-matching approach is what makes it feel intentional rather than costume-y. Featured in Mums Invited’s roundup and credited to Instagram’s @hoollymood, it’s a popular pick for good reason.
27. Baby in a Hand-Knitted Santa Suit
Skip the hat and go all in, mama. This idea dresses your newborn in a full hand-knitted Santa costume, jacket, trousers, and the tiniest little boots you ever did see, for a detailed, classic solo Santa portrait.
It’s a labor of love, but the payoff is a keepsake photo that looks straight out of a storybook. Credited to Instagram’s @kika_diamond, it’s a standout in Mums Invited’s roundup of newborn Christmas costume photos.
Mama safety tip: Ask your knitter to use embroidered or felt button shapes instead of real buttons so you get the same look with nothing small that can come loose.
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