The first Christmas of your baby is a magical milestone that should be celebrated and kept as a cherished memory. Capturing those memories is made even more perfect by the twinkling lights, festive decorations, and cozy warmth of the holiday season. Professional photoshoots are an option, but a DIY photoshoot at home is something that gives it a personal touch along with every photo being a reflection of the love and joy of your family.
And with a bit of creativity, some household props, and your baby’s natural charm, you can put together adorable holiday photos that you’ll treasure for years to come. Read on for 18 delightful and easy-to-recreate DIY Christmas Photoshoot Kids Ideas for a Baby’s First Christmas photoshoot with descriptions and images to help you envision your festive shoot.
Table of Contents
List of 18 Adorable First DIY Christmas Photoshoot Kids Ideas
1. Santa Baby
Dress your little one up in an adorable Santa suit, complete with a fuzzy hat and tiny booties, and turn them into the star of the North Pole.
Lay them on a soft white blanket for snow, or place them in front of the Christmas tree for a festive glow.
Why It Works: This setup is simple yet classic, allowing the red Santa outfit to stand out against the neutral background.
2. Cozy Stocking Snuggle
There’s nothing cuter than your baby peering out of a giant Christmas stocking. Pick a plush, oversized stocking with festive colors and put your baby in a position to look like they’re snugly tucked inside.
Wrap presents and ornaments around them to finish the scene.
Why It Works: This stocking creates a festive, baby cocoon with all eyes on your baby.
3. Gift Box Surprise
Wrap your baby in a large, festive gift box and make them the ultimate holiday gift. Open the box to see your precious “present” and affix a gift tag reading “Best Gift Ever.”
It’s one of the great kids Christmas photoshoot ideas for posed and candid shots alike.
Why It Works: Your baby is wrapped in vibrant wrapping paper and ribbons, giving it a colorful, eye-catching frame.
4. Under the Tree
Put your baby under the tree to capture the wonder of Christmas. Soft blankets make a great base and you can scatter ornaments around for more color.
It is a dreamy, magical atmosphere of the tree lights, through a warming glow.
Why It Works: The setup balances out the tree’s beauty while keeping the focus on your baby’s curiosity and cuteness.
5. Little Reindeer
For a playful and festive look, dress your baby in a reindeer-themed onesie or headband with antlers. If you want to add to the theme, add a plush sleigh or toy reindeer.
Why It Works: This whimsical idea is such a cute idea and adds a touch of holiday magic and makes for an adorable keepsake photo.
6. Christmas Morning Pajamas
Capture the magic of Christmas morning with your baby in cute Christmas pajamas. To set the scene, place them next to the tree, surrounded by unwrapped gifts and colorful wrapping paper.
Scatter a few bows or ribbons for the authentic touches.
Why It Works: A natural, heartwarming way to capture the excitement of Christmas morning.
7. Holiday Baking Helper
Set up a mini kitchen station to create a playful baking scene. And props like cookie cutters, a rolling pin, and a mixing bowl.
For an extra touch of cuteness, dress your baby in a tiny chef’s hat and apron. For the kitchen lover mummas this Christmas photoshoot kids idea is definitely going to be the best ever.
Why It Works: The combination of this setup is festive fun and candid moments that turn into a photo that tells a story.
8. Twinkling Lights Glow
For a cozy, glowing effect, wrap soft, battery-operated Christmas lights around your baby (always supervise!).
To add to the warm and festive atmosphere, lay them on a fluffy rug or blanket.
Why It Works: The lights add a magical glow to your baby’s adorable features.
9. Winter Wonderland
Make a snowy wonderland of your corner of the home with white blankets, faux snow, and silver decorations.
For a way to dress your baby for a cozy winter vibe, put a knitted hat and mittens on him.
Why It Works: The wintry theme is classic and lends itself well to an elegant, festive photo.
10. Ornament Baby
Set your baby in a basket or bucket with colorful ornaments, pinecones, and fairy lights. For smaller babies that can sit supported, this setup works especially well.
Why It Works: The ornaments bring a festive and vibrant glow while framing your baby at the same time.
11. Baby Elf
A green and red elf costume is the perfect way to dress your little one as Santa’s helper. Better yet, try adding the props, such as small gift boxes, candy canes, and a toy workshop, to add to the playful scene.
Why It Works: A fun holiday keepsake, the costume and props lend a charm and whimsy to this photo.
12. Milk and Cookies Cutie
Mmmmm, milk and cookies for Santa! Nothing says Christmas quite like that. Put your baby in a Santa hat and place them next to a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.
Create a playful touch by adding cookie crumbs around their mouth or hands.
Why It Works: This scene is so irresistibly cute and full of holiday mischief.
13. Holiday Hat Parade
Make your baby the highlight of the festive fun by showing how you have dressed him or her in different holiday hats, such as Santa hats, elf ears, reindeer antlers, or even a Christmas tree topper hat.
Switch hats (capture candid reactions) as you switch hats. This one is also a considerable Christmas photoshoot idea.
Why It Works: With a setup like this, you have a lot of adorable expressions to choose from, while keeping things simple.
14. Candy Cane Cutie
To make it sweet and festive, use candy canes as props. Surround them with smaller candy canes arranged like a heart or give them a giant candy cane to hold.
Why It Works: Candy canes come in bright red and white stripes that pop nicely against a neutral or snowy background.
15. Christmas Tree Hat Baby
Dress your baby in a knit Christmas tree hat, with pom pom “ornaments” and a star at the top.
Let the hat speak for itself and pair it with a simple white or green outfit.
Why It Works: This hat jazzes up the photo making it seem more unique and festive in a quirky way.
16. Festive Wreath Frame
Create a festive frame for your baby’s portrait using a large Christmas wreath. Ribbons, pinecones, and holiday ornaments can be used to decorate the wreath and place your baby in the middle.
Why It Works: The wreath serves as a natural frame for your baby, making it the star of the photo.
17. First Christmas Ornament
Capture the photo shoot in a way that celebrates the milestone of your baby’s first Christmas with a personalized ornament.
Put the ornament into their little hands or hang it nearby on a little tree.
Why It Works: This simple setup makes for a cherished memory and a keepsake that you can place out each year.
18. Santa’s Little Helper
Dress your baby as Santa’s helper and make a charming workshop scene. Complete the look by adding a burlap sack with ‘presents’ (ribbons and bows).
It’s extra playful with a tiny hammer or toy tools! This is the cutest kids Christmas photoshoot ideas on the list.
Why It Works: With this whimsical theme you can get creative with props, and add a storytelling element to the photo.
Final Thoughts: Celebrate the Magic of Baby’s First Christmas
These holiday photoshoot ideas for your baby’s first Christmas are designed to help you capture the magic in creative and meaningful ways as your baby’s first Christmas is filled with moments of awe, wonder, and joy. These DIY Christmas photoshoot kids will let you save these precious memories forever, no matter what theme you choose: whimsical like a baking helper or classic under the Christmas tree.
Of course, remember to take the process, and most importantly have fun with it. It’s not about perfection, it’s about the real moments, the giggles, and the curious expressions that make this season what it is. Years from now when you look at these photos, you’ll remember the beauty and the joy of your baby’s first Christmas.
Happy photographing and happy holidays! 🎄📸
