The Ultimate Guide to Dressing Your Kids for a Christmas Party

Christmas brings a season of celebration, family time, and festive fun – and selecting the perfect outfit for your child for a Christmas party is part of the excitement. Finding the right balance between comfort, style, and practicality can feel challenging, especially with the variety of parties and events throughout the holidays. 

This guide makes it simple, offering outfit ideas for different occasions, styling inspiration for boys and girls, essential accessories, and answers to the most common parent questions during the festive season. If you want to know how to dress your kids for a Christmas party, then keep reading!

Christmas Party Dress Code Guide for Kids

Casual Christmas Parties

For relaxed gatherings with family or friends, comfort is key. Soft knit jumpers, plaid shirts, leggings, and stretchy chinos make ideal choices. Casual outfits allow children to run, play, and enjoy the festivities without restriction while still embracing the holiday spirit through colour, pattern, or subtle sparkle. 

Formal Christmas Parties

More polished celebrations – such as school events, holiday dinners, or organised parties – call for dressier attire.
For boys: tailored trousers, formal shirts, and smart blazers elevate the look while still feeling age-appropriate. Formal wear accessories for boys such as bow ties, colourful scarves, or simple pocket squares add personality without being overwhelming. Finish the look with a wool or tweed overcoat.

For girls: brocade dresses for girls, lace details, tulle skirts, and classic Christmas colours offer an elegant finish perfect for festive evenings. Tights, boleros, or light jackets can keep children comfortable throughout the event, and classic accessories such as hair bows, minimalistic jewellery, or sparkly flats complete the look.

Kids should still be able to move easily, so choose soft fabrics like cotton and velvet, and avoid anything stiff or restrictive. 

Festive or Theme-Based Events

Some Christmas gatherings embrace full holiday charm. Think traditional plaid, velvets, shimmering fabrics, or coordinated family styles.

Boys might wear tartan trousers or button-down shirts with suspenders, layered plaid vests over collared tees, or a bow tie with smart trousers for a playful nod to tradition. Girls have a variety of options: the timeless combination of a red velvet dress with white tights remains a favourite, while contemporary styles like ruffled skirts, playsuits in bright patterns, or elegant dress-and-cardigan sets provide playful sophistication.

Finishing touches like scarves, mittens, or an overcoat can enhance these themed looks without overwhelming younger children. Footwear choices such as Oxfords for boys or ankle boots and sparkly flats for girls can round out any ensemble while remaining practical. 

If you’re looking for a strictly formal outfit for boys, check out our dedicated guide on boys suits for Christmas or festive events.

Christmas Party Outfit Ideas

Boys Christmas Party Outfits

Boys Christmas party outfits combine festive style with comfort and practicality. For formal settings, suits, blazers, waistcoats, and classic-collared shirts create a polished look.

Smart-casual options like patterned knitwear layered over a shirt with chinos or trousers provide both warmth and flexibility for active play. Accessories like bow ties, suspenders, pocket squares, or festive scarves complete the ensemble, making boys look effortlessly stylish.

Girls Christmas Party Outfits

Girls’ Christmas party outfits can be classic or contemporary, depending on personal style and the event. Red velvet dresses paired with white tights remain timeless, while ruffled skirts or brightly patterned dresses and boleros offer a modern twist.

Hair bows, headbands, minimalistic jewellery, and delicate footwear like sparkly flats or ankle boots add finishing touches. Layering pieces such as cardigans or faux-fur boleros ensures warmth and versatility during indoor and outdoor celebrations.

Tips for Choosing the Right Outfit

• Comfort first: Breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen allow freedom of movement and prevent irritation.
• Layering: Cardigans, waistcoats, jackets, and boleros can help children adjust to indoor and outdoor temperatures.
• Match the venue: Consider the formality of the event when selecting clothing – jumpers for casual parties, dresses and suits for formal gatherings.
• Practicality: Kids should be able to run, play, and enjoy themselves without restriction. Stretchy waistbands, soft fabrics, and adjustable features help.
• Festive touches: Accessories like scarves, jewellery, or seasonal prints add personality while maintaining comfort. 
• Encourage choice: Let children have input in selecting outfits – it builds excitement and reduces fussing.
• Keep backups handy: For younger children, a spare top or change of clothes ensures the day continues smoothly after spills or messes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What should my child wear to a Christmas party?

It is always best to check with the host of the party to see if there's a set party dress code. In general, though, it is appropriate for a child to wear a smart outfit to a Christmas party, such as a dress or dress trousers and a formal shirt.

Are dresses or dressy outfits appropriate for kids at a Christmas party?
Yes, dresses or dressy outfits are appropriate depending on the event’s formality. Always double-check the host’s guidance, but formal events typically call for smarter clothing.

Should my child wear a coat or jacket to the party?
It depends on the venue and the weather. If you’ll be outside or travelling in the cold, bring a coat. Indoors, a coat might not be necessary, but keep one handy for the journey.

Is it okay for my child to wear their favourite pair of jeans?
For casual parties, jeans are perfectly acceptable. For more formal events, opt for dressier trousers, chinos, or skirts if the host expects smarter attire.

Are comfortable, casual clothes acceptable for a Christmas party for kids?
Comfortable, casual clothes are fine for casual gatherings. For formal parties, choose a nicer outfit. As the original guidance puts it, comfortable clothes are acceptable depending on the formality of the event.

Should children wear seasonal colours like red and green?
It’s not necessary unless the party is themed. Seasonal colours are a fun option, but kids can wear their usual colours if preferred.

Can my child wear their pyjamas to the party?
Only if the event is explicitly a pyjama-themed party. Otherwise, it’s best to wear regular clothes appropriate to the event’s tone.

Festive Outfits for Kids: Shop Sirri Collection

Dressing children for Christmas parties is about blending comfort, practicality, and festive style. From casual family gatherings to formal holiday celebrations, there are countless ways to ensure kids look and feel their best.

Thoughtful layering, breathable fabrics, practical footwear, and carefully chosen accessories allow children to enjoy every moment of the festivities.

SIRRI offers everything you need to build picture-perfect Christmas looks, all the way from classic velvet dresses and tailored boys suits to playful knitwear, sparkly accessories, and winter-ready layers. You name it, we have it.

Explore our full festive collections and start creating outfits they’ll love:

• Shop Boys Christmas Outfits
  
  
• Shop Girls Christmas Outfits

For a deeper breakdown of suit styles, colour choices, and accessories, read our detailed guide on boys Christmas suits for 2025.