Christmas Family Photo Color Schemes: What to Wear (and Avoid)

Planning your family Christmas photos? The right Christmas photo color scheme can make all the difference between good pictures and amazing ones you'll treasure forever. At The Children's Place, we know choosing colors that work for the whole crew can feel overwhelming, but we're here to help! From timeless traditional palettes to fresh modern looks, we've got all the family holiday outfit inspiration you need to create stunning family color schemes that photograph beautifully and let your family's personality shine through.

Why Your Christmas Photo Color Scheme Matters

The colors you choose for your family Christmas photos set the entire mood and feel of your pictures. A well-planned family color scheme creates visual harmony that keeps the focus on what really matters... your family! The right color palette ties everyone together without looking too matchy, photographs beautifully in different lighting and complements your chosen background or location. Whether you're taking pics in front of the Christmas tree, at a winter wonderland backdrop or outside in the snow, your Christmas photos color scheme should enhance (not distract from) those genuine smiles and special moments.

Think about where your photos will live. If you're creating Christmas cards, your color palette should look crisp and vibrant in print. For social media posts, certain colors pop better on screens. And if you're planning to frame your favorite shots, consider how your chosen hues will coordinate with your home decor.

Classic Christmas Photo Color Schemes That Always Work

Some family Christmas photo color schemes are classics for a reason... they're timeless, festive and photograph beautifully every single time.

Traditional Red and Green

You can't go wrong with the ultimate holiday combo! Rich reds paired with forest green create that classic Christmas vibe everyone loves. The key is choosing the right shades... deeper, more sophisticated tones might fit your aesthetic better than bright tones, or the other way around! Think burgundy and hunter green vs fire engine red and lime green. Add touches of cream or ivory to soften the look. This Christmas photo color scheme works especially well against neutral backgrounds or in front of a decorated Christmas tree.

Elegant Neutrals with Metallic Accents

For a more refined approach, build your family Christmas photos color scheme around soft neutrals like cream, beige, taupe and gray. These understated hues create a sophisticated canvas that lets your family take center stage. Add warmth and festive sparkle with metallic accents... gold jewelry, silver headbands or rose gold accessories. This Christmas photos color scheme photographs beautifully both indoors and outdoors and has a modern, magazine-worthy feel that never goes out of style.

Winter Whites and Creams

An all-white or cream color palette creates dreamy, ethereal holiday photos with a fresh, modern twist. Layer different shades of white, ivory, cream and beige for depth and interest. Add texture through cable knit sweaters, velvet dresses and soft fabrics to keep the look from feeling flat. This Christmas photo color scheme is perfect for snowy outdoor settings or against dark backgrounds where lighter colors really pop.

Navy and Burgundy

This rich, jewel-toned combination feels festive without screaming "Christmas!" Navy blue provides a grounding base while burgundy adds that perfect pop of holiday color. Mix in touches of cream, gray or even blush pink for a balanced look. This color scheme is incredibly flattering on most skin tones and photographs beautifully in both natural light and studio settings.

Modern Christmas Photo Color Schemes for Fresh Holiday Looks

Ready to think beyond traditional holiday colors? These contemporary palettes create stunning photos with a fresh, updated vibe.

Soft Blues and Silvers

Pale blue, dusty blue and silver create a cool, wintry color story that's perfect for winter-themed Christmas photos. This dreamy Christmas photos color scheme feels calm and sophisticated while still being festive. Pair soft blues with cream or white for a lighter look or add charcoal gray for more contrast and depth.

Blush Pink and Gold

Who says Christmas photo color schemes have to feature red and green? Soft blush pink paired with touches of gold creates a warm, romantic palette that photographs gorgeously. Add cream or ivory pieces to balance the pink and prevent the look from feeling too sweet. This color scheme works especially well for families with young children and creates a soft, timeless feel.

Forest Green and Camel

Earthy and organic, this nature-inspired Christmas family photos color scheme combines deep forest green with warm camel, tan and cognac tones. Think cozy sweaters, corduroy material pants and rich textures. This palette feels grounded and sophisticated while maintaining that holiday spirit. Add touches of cream or rust for extra warmth.

Plaid and Solid Coordinating Colors

Build your entire Christmas photo color scheme around one gorgeous plaid pattern! Choose a plaid that includes 3-4 colors, then pull individual colors from that pattern for each family member's outfit. Maybe dad wears the plaid flannel shirt, mom wears a solid burgundy dress that matches one color in the plaid and the kids wear cream and navy (the other plaid colors) in various combinations. This creates a beautifully coordinated look without everyone wearing the exact same thing.

Colors to Avoid in Your Christmas Photos Color Scheme

Not all colors photograph equally well! Here are some hues to steer clear of when planning your family Christmas photo color schemes:

• Neon and Overly Bright Colors
• All Black
• Busy Patterns and Competing Prints
• Clashing Undertones

Creating Your Perfect Christmas Photo Color Scheme

Ready to plan your family's color palette? Here's how to build a Christmas photo color scheme that works for everyone:

• Start with Your Location: Consider where you'll be taking photos. Outdoors with greenery? Reds, burgundies and neutrals pop beautifully. Indoor photos with warm lighting work great with cooler tones like blues and grays. Taking pics in front of a colorful Christmas tree? Choose colors that complement (not compete with) all those ornaments and lights.
• Choose 2-3 Main Colors: The best family Christmas photo color schemes include just 2-3 main colors plus maybe one accent color. Start with one dominant color that at least 2-3 family members will wear, add a secondary color for balance and include a third accent color through accessories or smaller pieces.
• Consider Everyone's Coloring: Jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, ruby, amethyst) tend to flatter most people. If you have family members with very different coloring, neutrals with pops of color work great since everyone can wear slightly different shades while still looking coordinated.
• Test Your Colors Together: Before committing to your Christmas family photos color scheme, lay all the outfits out together and take a phone pic. Do the colors work well together? Is there good balance? This simple step can save you from surprises on photo day!

Final Tips for Picture-Perfect Holiday Photos

Once you've nailed your Christmas family photos color scheme, keep these tips in mind for the best possible pictures.

Choose comfortable fabrics that don't itch or restrict movement. Comfortable kids equal genuine smiles! Soft knits, stretchy materials and broken-in pieces photograph just as well as stiff, scratchy formal wear.

Layer for texture and warmth. Cardigans over turtlenecks, vests over button-ups and scarves over sweaters add visual interest and keep everyone cozy during outdoor photo sessions.

Try on outfits ahead of time. Make sure everything fits well, is seasonally appropriate and can be worn comfortably for at least an hour. Nothing ruins photo day faster than uncomfortable clothes!

Bringing Your Color Scheme to Life with The Children's Place

At The Children's Place, we make it easy to find pieces in all the colors you need for your perfect Christmas photo color scheme. Our extensive selection includes everything from classic holiday reds and greens to modern neutrals and jewel tones, all in sizes newborn to 18 (plus extended sizing options including slim and plus for girls and slim and husky for boys!).

Shop coordinating sweaters, dresses, button-up shirts, leggings, jeans and corduroy material pants in tons of colors and styles. Our matching family sets and holiday pajama styles for families make coordinating even easier with pre-selected color palettes that work beautifully together. From velvet dresses that photograph gorgeously to soft knit sweaters in every color of the rainbow, we've got all the essentials you need to bring your Christmas photos color scheme to life.

Don't forget the finishing touches! Accessories like scarves, headbands, hair bows and fun socks add those extra pops of color that tie your whole Christmas photo color scheme together perfectly.

Ready to Create Your Picture-Perfect Color Story?

This holiday season, create stunning family Christmas photos with a carefully planned color scheme from The Children's Place. From timeless traditional palettes to fresh modern looks, our fun, festive styles combine quality, comfort and value so you can dress the whole fam without stress.

Shop 24/7 online with free shipping every day (no minimum purchase required). Need it now? Buy online and pick up in store. Need to make a return? We make that simple too! Get free returns to any store or outlet (including online exclusives!). Check out all the latest in family photo outfits and coordinating pieces at the PLACE that has everything you need for picture-perfect family photos.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What colors are good for family Christmas photos?

The best colors for family Christmas photos include classic combinations like rich red and forest green, elegant neutrals with metallic accents or jewel tones such as burgundy, navy and emerald, green. Soft blues, blush pink with gold and winter whites also photograph beautifully and create stunning holiday pictures.

What is the best color scheme for Christmas?

The best color scheme for Christmas is deep red paired with forest green and touches of cream or gold, creating a timeless, festive look that photographs beautifully. For a modern twist, navy and burgundy or soft neutrals with metallic accents offer sophisticated alternatives to traditional holiday colors.