August 13, 2026

Best Girls Christmas Dresses for Santa Photos & Family Photos

By Ellie Ellie
Best Girls Christmas Dresses for Santa Photos & Family Photos

Christmas photographs have a way of becoming family keepsakes.

From the annual Santa photo to professional Christmas mini sessions and family portraits for Christmas cards, choosing the right outfit can make the final photograph feel even more special.

If you are searching for girls Christmas dresses for Santa photos, the best styles combine festive colour, beautiful texture and a silhouette that photographs well without overwhelming the child wearing it.

Here are some of our favourite ways to dress girls for Christmas photos.

What Should Girls Wear for Santa Photos?

A festive dress is a classic choice for Santa photography.

Some of the most popular looks include:

  • red Christmas dresses

  • sequin dresses

  • tulle dresses

  • white and ivory dresses

  • puff sleeve dresses

  • gold and champagne dresses

  • matching or coordinated sister outfits

You can explore all of these styles in our Girls Christmas Dresses collection.

Red Christmas Dresses for Santa Photos

A red Christmas dress is one of the easiest ways to create an instantly festive photograph.

Red works naturally with traditional Christmas colours and can stand out beautifully against neutral, snowy, gold or white studio backdrops.

It is particularly suitable for:

  • Santa photos

  • family Christmas portraits

  • Christmas cards

  • Christmas mini sessions

  • sibling photos

  • school Christmas photos

The Scarlett Red Sequin Christmas Dress for Girls is designed for exactly these kinds of moments.

Its shimmering red sequins create texture in photographs, while the puff sleeves and full skirt give the dress a statement silhouette.

The oversized bow at the back adds another detail that looks beautiful in both front-facing portraits and candid photographs.

Sequin Christmas Dresses

Sequins are especially effective for festive photography because they catch light and add visual texture.

A sequin dress can make an otherwise simple Christmas studio setup feel more celebratory without requiring lots of additional accessories.

For girls who love sparkle, consider:

Scarlett Red Sequin Christmas Dress

A classic festive red with a full party silhouette.

Eva Red Sequin Ruffle Tutu Dress

A playful option combining a sparkling red bodice with layers of fluffy tulle.

Both can work for Santa photos while also being suitable for Christmas Day, parties and end-of-year celebrations.

Tulle Dresses for Christmas Photos

Tulle is another beautiful fabric for children's photography.

Layered skirts create movement, softness and dimension in photographs, particularly when the child is sitting, spinning or walking.

A tulle Christmas dress can work particularly well for:

  • Christmas mini sessions

  • sibling portraits

  • first Christmas photos

  • family Christmas cards

  • outdoor holiday photography

For a less traditional colour palette, champagne and gold tulle can create a warm, elegant Christmas look.

The Amara Gold Puff Sleeve Tutu Dress is a beautiful example for families looking beyond classic red.

What Colour Should Girls Wear for Santa Photos?

There is no single right answer.

The best colour depends largely on the photography backdrop.

Red Christmas Dresses

Ideal for traditional festive photographs and immediately recognisable as Christmas.

White or Ivory Dresses

Beautiful against darker, green or richly decorated backdrops.

Gold and Champagne

Elegant for neutral, cream or warm-toned Christmas setups.

Pink

A softer alternative for romantic or pastel Christmas photography.

Before choosing a dress, look at your photographer's backdrop if possible.

If the set already contains a large amount of red, a white, ivory, champagne or gold outfit may provide more contrast.

Matching Christmas Dresses for Sisters

Christmas is one of the most popular times of year for sibling photographs.

But sisters do not necessarily need identical dresses.

A coordinated look can often photograph just as beautifully.

Try matching through:

  • the same colour family

  • similar fabrics

  • coordinating bows

  • similar sleeve shapes

  • matching hair accessories

  • one shared accent colour

For example, one sister might wear a red sequin dress while another wears a complementary red tulle style.

This creates visual cohesion without requiring exactly the same dress in every age or size.

Baby's First Christmas Photos

A baby's first Christmas is often one of the most photographed festive milestones.

When choosing a baby girl's first Christmas dress, comfort matters just as much as appearance.

Consider:

  • soft lining

  • comfortable fit

  • easy movement

  • Australian summer temperatures

  • how the outfit looks while the baby is sitting or being held

You may also want to choose a dress that can be worn again for a first birthday, family celebration or another special occasion.

Toddler Christmas Photo Outfits

Toddlers rarely stay perfectly still during photographs, so the best outfit is one they can comfortably move in.

A toddler Christmas dress with a full skirt can look beautiful when walking or twirling, while soft tulle creates movement in candid photos.

Avoid over-accessorising if your toddler is likely to remove hair pieces or become uncomfortable.

Sometimes a beautiful dress and one simple hair bow are all you need.

What Should Older Girls Wear for Christmas Photos?

For older girls and tweens, consider styles that are festive without looking overly themed.

Good options include:

  • sophisticated red party dresses

  • subtle sequins

  • elegant puff sleeves

  • champagne or gold dresses

  • tweed dresses

  • simple satin silhouettes

These styles are also easier to wear again after Christmas for weddings, birthday parties and other occasions.

How to Style a Christmas Dress for Photos

Keep styling simple and allow the dress to remain the focus.

A few options include:

  • matching hair bows

  • Christmas tree hair clips

  • ballet flats

  • neutral shoes

  • delicate handbags

If the dress already includes sequins, tulle or an oversized bow, additional jewellery or accessories may not be necessary.

Christmas Family Photo Outfit Ideas

When coordinating the whole family, begin with one hero piece.

If your daughter is wearing a red Christmas dress, other family members might wear neutral shades such as cream, white, beige or subtle festive colours.

Instead of dressing everyone identically, repeat one or two colours throughout the family.

This creates a cohesive portrait without making the outfits feel overly matched.

Shop Christmas Dresses for Santa Photos

Whether you are booking Santa photos, planning a Christmas mini session or creating your annual family Christmas card, the right dress can become part of the memory itself.

Explore Ellie Ellie's Girls Christmas Dresses for red Christmas dresses, tulle party dresses, sequin styles and festive accessories designed for memorable Christmas moments.

Complete her photo-ready festive look with Christmas Hair Accessories for Girls, or browse Christmas Gifts for Girls, including picture-perfect Christmas Gifts Under $20 and Christmas Gifts Under $50.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should girls wear for Santa photos?

Festive dresses in red, white, ivory, gold or other Christmas colours work beautifully. Consider the photographer's backdrop when selecting the colour.

Is red a good colour for Santa photos?

Yes. Red is one of the most traditional choices for Christmas photography and works especially well with neutral, white or gold backdrops.

What should sisters wear for Christmas photos?

Sisters can wear identical dresses or coordinate through similar colours, fabrics or accessories.

Are tulle dresses good for Christmas photos?

Yes. Tulle adds texture and movement to photographs and works particularly well for children's Christmas portraits and mini sessions.