Quick answer: To match Christmas pajamas across ages, pick one print or colour, then choose the right style for each child: a footed sleeper for babies and a two-piece set for kids. Health Canada says children's sleepwear sold in Canada "must meet strict flammability requirements," so check every label and choose size-appropriate pajamas.
Matching Christmas pajamas have become a holiday tradition in a lot of Canadian homes. They show up in Christmas morning photos, on video calls with grandparents and in the pile of gifts opened on Christmas Eve. Getting a baby, a preschooler and a big kid into matching PJs sounds simple until you notice that every age wears a different style, a different size chart and, in some cases, falls under different sleepwear rules.
This guide walks you through the practical side: how to match by print or colour when brands cut baby and kids' pajamas differently, how to size siblings who are years apart, what Canadian and U.S. sleepwear rules actually say, and how to wash and photograph your family's set so it looks good on Christmas morning and lasts into January.
What this guide covers
- Three ways to match pajamas across babies, toddlers and big kids
- Baby sleepers vs. kids' two-piece sets, and why they're cut differently
- Matching sets from Deux par Deux that run from baby to size 12
- Sizing siblings, and why "a size up for next year" can backfire
- What Health Canada and the U.S. CPSC say about kids' sleepwear fit
- Christmas Eve sleep reminders for babies
- When to order, how to wash and how to take the photo
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. For questions about your child's sleep or health, talk to your health-care provider. Always follow the size, fit and care information on each garment's label.
How Do You Match Christmas Pajamas Across Babies, Kids and Adults?
Start with one shared element, either the same print, the same colour family or the same theme, then pick the style that suits each child's age. Matching doesn't mean identical. A newborn in a zip-up sleeper and a seven-year-old in a two-piece set can still look like a set if the print or colours line up.
Option 1: Match by the same print
This is the most "matchy" look, and the easiest to recognize in photos. Some brands design one holiday print and produce it in several styles: a footed sleeper for babies, a two-piece set for kids, and sometimes adult sizes. Deux par Deux, for example, places its beige Christmas village print in a line it calls Holiday Family Pajamas, with a baby sleeper and a kids' two-piece set in the same print.
The catch is availability. Same-print sets sell size by size, so the size your toddler needs can run out while the baby size is still available. If you want an exact print match, check every child's size before you commit to a print. The Deux par Deux pink tree print, for example, comes as a baby sleeper and a kids' set, from 3 months to size 12.
Option 2: Match by colour family
If one print isn't available in every size, choose a shared colour palette instead. Red and green, cream and red, or soft pink and teal all read as a set in photos, even when the prints are different. One child can wear a gingerbread print, another a snowman, and the baby a tree print, and the photo still looks planned.
A simple rule: keep one colour constant on every person, such as red cuffs or a cream top, and let the prints change.
Option 3: Match by theme
Theme matching is the most flexible. Pick a story, such as "winter forest," "gingerbread village" or "snowy animals," and let each child choose a print in that theme. Older kids often like having a say, and it avoids the "I don't want to look like the baby" standoff.
What about the adults?
Parents can join by matching the colour family rather than the print. A plain red or cream top with dark pants ties the grown-ups to the kids' look without hunting for an adult version of a children's print.
What's the Difference Between Baby Sleepers and Kids' Two-Piece Pajamas?
Baby pajamas are usually one piece with a zipper and attached feet, while kids' pajamas are usually a separate top and pants. The difference is practical: babies need easy diaper changes and covered feet, and older kids need pieces they can put on themselves and use the bathroom in.
Baby sleepers (about 0 to 24 months)
A baby sleeper, also called a footed one-piece, covers the body, arms and feet in one garment. Look for a front zipper or snaps that open fully for changes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests choosing clothes that "snap or zip all the way down the front, instead of the back" and that have "no ribbons or strings" that could wrap around the neck.
Deux par Deux lists its Christmas print baby sleeper as a "front-zip footed one-piece in 100% organic cotton," and its pink tree print baby sleeper with a "front zipper, long sleeves, attached feet."
Kids' two-piece sets (about 2 to 12 years)
Two-piece sets usually pair a long-sleeve top with pull-on pants. Ribbed cuffs at the wrists and ankles are common and help keep sleeves and legs from riding up during the night. Deux par Deux describes several of its kids' holiday sets as a "raglan long-sleeve top and elastic-waist pants" with "ribbed cuffs and ankles."
Toddlers in between
Children around 18 months to 3 years can sit in either camp. Sleepers keep feet covered on cold floors, while two-piece sets make toilet training easier. If your toddler is training, a two-piece set is usually the more practical choice for Christmas Eve.
Which Matching Christmas Pajamas Does Jenni Kidz Carry?
Jenni Kidz carries several matching options, and the deepest size runs come from Deux par Deux. Holiday stock moves fast, and many Hatley, Petit Lem and Mayoral pieces sell one size at a time. The Deux par Deux sets further down have the widest size runs, and the collections below show everything else.
- Christmas pajamas for kids: holiday prints from Hatley, Petit Lem, Mayoral and Deux par Deux.
- Holiday collection: Christmas pajamas plus festive sweaters, dresses and baby outfits.
- Baby girls' pajamas and baby boys' pajamas: sleepers and sets for the youngest siblings.
- Girls' pajamas and boys' pajamas: two-piece sets for older siblings.
Same-print match: Deux par Deux beige Christmas print
The Deux par Deux baby Christmas pajama in beige Christmas print has a village of red houses, trees, snowmen and gingerbread men across a beige body. The matching kids' two-piece Christmas pajama set puts a snowman, pine tree and gifts on the chest, with the same village print on the pants and red cuffs. Deux par Deux lists both in 100% organic cotton. Sizes in this print sell through unevenly, so check each child's size on the product page.
Full size run: Deux par Deux pink tree print
For a softer palette, the Deux par Deux baby pajama in pink tree print covers a pale pink sleeper with teal and pink decorated trees in sizes 3 to 24 months. The pink tree print kids' pajama set pairs a cream top with a gingerbread house graphic and pale pink tree print pants, in sizes 2 to 12. Deux par Deux lists both in 100% organic cotton interlock.
Colour-family match: red, black and beige holiday prints
To match by colour rather than print, pair one of the sleepers above with a kids' set in a coordinating holiday palette: the red gingerbread print pajama set (pink top, red gingerbread pants), the black Christmas pixel print set (pixel-style Santas, snowmen and trees) or the beige elk print set (orange elk on oatmeal with black sleeves). Deux par Deux lists all three in 100% organic cotton interlock.
How Do You Size Matching Pajamas for Siblings?
Size each child by their current measurements and the brand's own size chart, not by age alone. Health Canada advises parents to "dress them in size-appropriate sleepwear" and warns that "sleepwear that's too big can come into contact with an ignition source more easily and may burn more quickly."
Babies (0 to 24 months)
Baby sizes are listed in months, but they're really based on height and weight. A long, lean 6-month-old may already need 9 or 12 months. Check that the feet of a footed sleeper aren't pushing the toes, and that the zipper closes without pulling. For a full explanation of month sizes, see our baby clothes size guide.
Toddlers and kids (2 to 12 years)
Kids' pajamas are labelled by size number, not exact age. Measure height and chest, then compare with the size chart on the product page. Kids' sleepwear is often cut closer to the body than daywear, so your child may wear a different pajama size than their usual T-shirt size. Our guide on why kids' pajamas fit so tight explains the reason, and when a toddler needs the next pajama size covers the signs it's time to move up.
Should you buy a size up so they fit next Christmas?
It's tempting, but it isn't a good idea for sleepwear. A loose, oversized set doesn't match the fit the garment was designed for, and Health Canada's warning about sleepwear that's too big applies here. If your child is between sizes, check the brand's chart and the garment's label, and choose the size that fits now.
A quick sibling sizing checklist
- Measure every child the week you order, not from memory.
- Write down each child's size for the exact brand and style you're buying.
- Check that every size you need is available in the print you want before you order any of them.
- If one size is missing, switch to a colour-family match instead of sizing a child up or down.
What Are the Sleepwear Rules for Kids' Christmas Pajamas in Canada and the U.S.?
Both countries regulate children's sleepwear for flammability, and both treat close-fitting pajamas differently from loose styles. You don't need to memorize the rules, but knowing the basics helps you read labels and hangtags. For the full explanation, read our guide: do kids' pajamas have to be flame retardant?
Canada
Health Canada says "Children's sleepwear sold in Canada must meet strict flammability requirements." Its guidelines define children's sleepwear as garments "in sizes 0 to 14X" sold "for the purpose of sleeping." The rules split sleepwear into two groups:
- Tight-fitting sleepwear: Health Canada says "Less stringent flammability requirements apply to products classified as tight-fitting sleepwear." Whether a garment counts as tight-fitting depends on its design, dimensions and labelling.
- Loose-fitting sleepwear: "More stringent flammability requirements apply to products classified as loose-fitting sleepwear." Health Canada notes that loose styles "with flowing skirts, wide sleeves or wide ruffles" may be more likely to catch fire.
Health Canada also says that if you prefer 100% cotton fabrics, tight-fitting sleepwear is its recommended option, and that loose-fitting sleepwear should be made of "slower-burning fabrics."
United States
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rules cover "children's sleepwear above size 9 months and up to size 14." To comply, garments must either pass flammability tests or "be 'tight-fitting,' as defined by specified dimensions." Tight-fitting garments must carry a hangtag "alerting buyers that the garments are not flame-resistant and should be worn snug fitting because loose-fitting garments are more likely to catch fire."
Garments sized 9 months or smaller for infants can be exempt from the sleepwear rule if they meet length limits and carry an age label in months, according to the CPSC.
What this means when you shop
- Read the label and any hangtag. If a hangtag says to wear the garment snug fitting, buy the size that fits snugly now.
- Use pajamas for sleep. Health Canada notes that "some daywear may not meet the flammability requirements for sleepwear."
- Don't assume every holiday item is sleepwear. Holiday sweaters, dresses and loungewear may be sold as daywear.
- Remove robes before bed. Health Canada says to remove bathrobes "before your child goes to sleep."
Jenni Kidz shows product facts exactly as each brand lists them. We don't add fit or flammability claims that aren't on the brand's own product information.
What Should Babies Wear to Sleep on Christmas Eve?
A properly fitted sleeper and nothing extra. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) recommends "properly fitted sleepwear—like a one-piece sleeper" that keeps your baby comfortable at room temperature, so they don't get too hot. The holiday version of that advice is simple: the matching sleeper is fine, but the accessories from the photo shoot aren't.
- Take off hats, bibs and anything with ties or hoods. CPS says to "Take off bibs, necklaces, items with ties or hoods, and hats before putting your baby to sleep to prevent strangulation." That includes Santa hats and headbands from the photo.
- Skip blankets in the crib. CPS notes that "Babies do not need blankets when they sleep."
- Watch the room temperature. Busy houses with guests and a fireplace get warm. CPS says "If it is comfortable for you, it will be comfortable for your baby too."
- Back to sleep, every sleep. CPS advises parents to "Always place your baby on their back to sleep, for every sleep," including at Grandma's house.
If you're travelling over the holidays, our guide on whether newborns can sleep in footed pajamas covers sleeper fit in more detail.
When Should You Order Matching Christmas Pajamas?
As early as you can, ideally by early November. Matching sets sell size by size, so the sooner you order, the more likely you'll find the same print in every child's size. Early ordering also leaves time to try everything on and order another size if something doesn't fit.
A simple timeline
- Late October to early November: measure everyone, choose a print or colour plan and order.
- When the parcel arrives: try everything on right away. Check the fit while there's still time to order another size. Our Return and Refund Policy explains how returns work.
- Early December: wash the pajamas once according to the care label so they're soft and ready.
- Christmas Eve: lay the sets out together, or wrap them as a "Christmas Eve box" gift.
Delivery times vary by carrier, location and season, so build in extra time rather than ordering close to the holidays. If a print sells out in one size, fall back to a colour-family match rather than ordering the wrong size.
How Do You Wash Christmas Pajamas So They Last?
Follow the care label first, wash before the first wear, and use regular laundry detergent rather than soap flakes. The AAP says "detergents in general don't strip away the flame-retardant properties of sleepwear, but soap flakes can." The AAP also suggests washing new clothes before use and washing small items like socks in a mesh bag.
A few habits help printed pajamas look good for more than one season:
- Turn them inside out. It reduces rubbing on the printed side.
- Wash with similar colours. Red cuffs and beige or white bodies don't always get along in the first wash.
- Close zippers before washing. Open zipper teeth can snag other clothes.
- Check the label before using the dryer. Cotton can shrink with high heat, so follow the brand's instructions.
- Treat stains early. Christmas morning means hot chocolate and candy canes. Rinse or blot stains before they set.
For detergent choices, stain steps and care symbols, see our full guide to washing baby clothes so they last longer.
How Do You Take a Great Matching Pajama Photo?
Plan the photo for the time of day your kids are happiest, use window light and keep it short. Matching pajama photos are often taken at the least photogenic moment: right after presents, with wrapping paper everywhere. A little planning helps.
Practical photo tips
- Shoot before the chaos. Take the photo on Christmas Eve after baths, or first thing Christmas morning before gifts.
- Use daylight. Sit everyone facing a window. Soft daylight flatters prints and avoids the flat look of an on-camera flash.
- Get low. Shoot from the kids' eye level, not from above.
- Arrange by height. Seat adults and older kids, then place the baby on a lap in the middle.
- Clear the background. Move laundry baskets and gift bags out of the frame. A tree or a plain wall works well.
- Use burst mode. Toddlers rarely look at the camera at the same time. Take many shots and keep the one where everyone is looking.
- Keep props simple. A mug of cocoa, a book or a string of unlit lights is enough. Keep small decorations out of a baby's reach.
Planning a more formal family photo too? Our guide to dressing your child for family photos covers colour palettes and coordinating siblings in daywear. If it's your baby's first Christmas, our baby's first Christmas outfit ideas by age cover daytime looks from newborn to 24 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you match Christmas pajamas for siblings of different ages?
Choose one shared print, colour family or theme, then pick the right style for each age: a footed sleeper for babies and a two-piece set for older kids. Check that each child's size is available before you order.
Can a baby wear the same Christmas print as an older sibling?
Yes, when a brand makes the same print in baby and kids' styles. Deux par Deux, for example, lists a beige Christmas print and a pink tree print as both a baby sleeper and a kids' two-piece set.
Should I buy Christmas pajamas a size bigger so they last?
It's better to buy the size that fits now. Health Canada advises size-appropriate sleepwear and warns that sleepwear that's too big can come into contact with an ignition source more easily.
Do kids' Christmas pajamas have to meet sleepwear rules?
Yes. Health Canada says children's sleepwear sold in Canada must meet strict flammability requirements. In the U.S., the CPSC requires children's sleepwear above size 9 months and up to size 14 to pass flammability tests or be tight-fitting.
Why do some kids' pajamas have a "wear snug fitting" tag?
In the U.S., tight-fitting sleepwear must carry a hangtag saying the garment is not flame-resistant and should be worn snug fitting because loose-fitting garments are more likely to catch fire. Choose the size that fits snugly now.
Can my baby wear a Santa hat in their Christmas photos?
Keep it to a quick photo while your baby is awake, then take it off. The Canadian Paediatric Society says to take off hats, bibs and items with ties or hoods before putting your baby to sleep.
When should I order matching family Christmas pajamas?
Order by early November if you can. Matching sets sell size by size, and ordering early leaves time to try everything on and order another size before the holidays.
How should I wash Christmas pajamas?
Follow the care label, wash them before the first wear and use regular detergent rather than soap flakes. Turning them inside out and washing with similar colours helps the print last.
Bottom Line
Matching Christmas pajamas come together easily when you start with one shared print or colour, then choose the right style and size for each child: a footed sleeper for babies and a two-piece set for kids. Buy the size that fits now, read every label and hangtag, and take hats and accessories off before babies sleep. Order early so you can find every size in the print you love, then wash once and plan the photo for a calm moment. Start with the pink tree print kids' set and its matching baby sleeper, or browse all Christmas pajamas to build your family's set.
Sources
- Health Canada: Children's sleepwear safety (date modified 2025-11-03)
- Health Canada: Guidelines for the flammability requirements of the Children's Sleepwear Regulations (published January 2026)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Summary Information for Children's Sleepwear, 16 CFR Parts 1615 & 1616 (March 2023)
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids: Safe sleep for babies (last updated October 2021)
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Cleaning Baby Clothes
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Tips for Dressing Your Baby
