Buying guide for Best Christmas family pajamas
From tinsel and presents to jingling bells and rousing carols, the holidays are rich with traditional images and sounds. Overwhelmed by all this, it is sometimes easy to forget one of the primary reasons for the season: family. Matching Christmas pajamas for your entire group is a fun way to celebrate the season and unify your clan.
When shopping for matching Christmas pajamas for the family, you will soon see there are mountains to choose from. The trick is to find something that is suitable and comfortable for each family member — comfortable enough that they don’t mind donning them for Christmas morning photos or the yearly Christmas card family portrait.
Key considerations
Durability
If your pajamas will be a “one and done” Christmas morning affair, you will probably be less concerned about their long-term durability. For those who plan to wear them often, however, durability is important. Some factors to consider include the overall thickness of the material and how it is stitched together. Materials such as flannel or fleece tend to hold up better over time than thin cotton. Double stitching will outlast single stitching, and ribbed hems add support at points that can easily fray.
Comfort
While design and appearance are obviously huge issues when choosing Christmas pajamas, don’t discount the comfort factor. Pajamas should offer an all-around decent fit and be warm but not too hot. A material that is 100% cotton is more comfortable for the majority of wearers than a cotton/polyester blend.
Size
When buying for multiple people, you will probably need Christmas pajamas that are available in multiple sizes, from kids to adults. Some sellers feature unisex pajamas, but the majority offer sizing charts for men, women, and children. And don’t forget Fido (or if you are feeling really brave, Mr. Whiskers). If you want to add the family pet to your Christmas family pajama party, find a seller that also offers pet-sized sleepwear.
Did You Know?
Matching holiday pajamas first came into prominence in the 1950s and fell in and out of fashion over the next few decades.
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Features
Design
Are you in search of the pajama equivalent of the ugly Christmas sweater, or do you want something more subdued? Christmas family pajamas run the gamut from relatively general prints to holiday designs featuring Santa, snowmen, and reindeer. While less common, you will also find pajama sets that pay tribute to iconic characters such as Snoopy and the Grinch.
Material
Christmas family pajamas are available in a variety of materials that include cotton, polyester, flannel, and fleece. Some sellers offer their pajama sets in one type of material only, while others provide a choice of materials so individual family members can select their favorite fabric. It is common to see Christmas pajamas made of cotton for adults and easier-to-manage polyester for kids.
Pajama pieces
The majority of sellers offer pajamas as a two-piece set with a bottom and a top. While rare, some sellers specialize in holiday onesies for both adults and children.
Bottoms: Some of these can be footed, but the majority end at the ankle. Ribbed or reinforced hems provide added strength. Bottoms may be fitted or loose with a drawstring or elastic waist. Occasionally you will find short bottoms, but long pants are the norm.
Tops: A two-piece set may have a pullover top or a button-up top. Most tops have long sleeves, though you may find a few with short sleeves.
Some pets love to be involved in family activities. Luckily, there are plenty of holiday pajama sets that include options for pets (including a pet sizing chart).
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Christmas family pajama prices
Christmas family pajamas range in price depending on the quality and material. Obviously, the more people you are buying for, the more you will pay.
Lower-end
On the lower end of the price range, from about $15 to $24, expect to find Christmas family pajamas with a less-durable build. The material may be simple cotton, fleece, or polyester. If you don’t plan to wear these all winter long, this is an economical choice.
Higher-end
As you move up in price, you will find improved quality. Christmas family pajamas over $30 tend to feature the best build and are often made of flannel or fleece. Pajamas in this range often have a more generic holiday design that you can comfortably wear during other times of the year as well.
Did You Know?
You can expand the whole “matching” experience by adding fun elements, such as matching sleeping caps or slippers.
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Tips
- Shop early. Christmas family pajamas are a popular holiday item, and as such, they can be difficult to find in stock the closer you are to the end of the year.
- Get creative. Maybe you have a family in which everyone prefers a different type of sleepwear or sleepwear made from different materials. You can still “match” if you find a seller that offers coordinating sleepwear in addition to matching pieces.
- Keep versatility in mind. Some holiday jammies are suitable for other times of the year. To expand the wear of your pajamas beyond the holiday season without feeling like a walking Christmas billboard, opt for a style that relies more on holiday colors, stripes, or neutral patterns than holiday icons like Santa and reindeer.
- Play it safe. For maximum safety, consider going with a pajama set that uses flame-resistant materials in the manufacture of its children’s pajamas.
- Document your experience. While matching PJs are wonderful in the moment, a photo of your whole family wearing the same pajamas will allow that moment to live throughout the years.
FAQ
Q. Are Christmas pajamas easy to clean?
A. While lower-end Christmas family pajamas may fall apart after a few washings, a quality cotton or polyester set should be durable enough to withstand regular machine washings. As with all clothing, your best course of action is to adhere to all manufacturer care recommendations.
Q. How difficult will it be to order my Christmas family pajamas?
A. While not overly complex, ordering pajamas online in multiple sizes can be a bit time-consuming. Before you start your order, have each family member’s size on hand. The ordering process may vary from seller to seller, but what you will typically do is select one set of pajamas, add it to your cart, and return to the listing page to add the next item. Repeat these steps for each pair of pajamas that you want, and then check out/pay for your order.
Q. What is the difference between flannel and fleece?
A. Both flannel and fleece can keep you warm, but they are made from different materials. Flannel is a thick fabric made from layers of cotton. While warm, it tends to share some of the negatives of cotton, such as a tendency to soak up moisture. Fleece is made from polyester. It is more water-resistant than cotton-based fabrics and may also be warmer and more durable.
