Your baby may not remember their first Christmas, but you will—so why not capture the magic of the season forever with memorable photos?

If you have a baby, we know you’re already taking approximately 45,000 photos of them every day anyway. This is why we’ve compiled the cutest (and easiest) ways to capture the holiday spirit with your little one. Baby’s first Christmas photos are impossibly sweet and adorable. They also make excellent ornaments. Plus, they’re the kind of photo that you and your child will look back on years from now and cherish forever.

Baby’s first Christmas photoshoot ideas

We scoured Instagram to 15 creative Christmas photo ideas for babies that we think you’ll adore forever.

1. Santa baby

Who could resist a baby in a Santa hat, or better yet, full-on St. Nick garb?

2. The sweetest gift under the tree

Bring the holiday magic to your photo with candy cane PJs.

3. As a reindeer

Cute enough to guide Santa’s sleigh tonight.

4. By the tree

This could become an annual tradition—documenting how the baby changes as grows as the tree stays the same.

5. With a letter board

Add a clever saying to help make the memories extra special or extra funny.

6. Lay on a flat wreathe

Because they’re the perfect size to lay on a wreathe.

7. On Santa’s lap

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Tjz__Fez_/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=955ca878-0bc5-4b05-ba65-1b7f2be0d4fa

Hopefully your baby likes Santa more than this little guy does!

8. Best gift ever

Because they’ll never, ever fit inside a stocking again. 😭

9. Holiday outfit

Love a “Home Alone” reference!

10. Mickey Mouse

Take baby’s first Christmas photos with their favorite stuffed animal.

11. The sweetest cup of cocoa

Maybe your professional infant Christmas photo ideas include a baby-sized mug?

12. Santa baby

With their trusty snowman sidekick.

13. A whole mood

It’s the festive onesie for me.

14. Sleighing it!

Baby elf in his mini sleigh.

15. Letters to Santa

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXcQJ5HsLQD

This is your sign to get fabulous engraved pajamas.

16. Baby’s feet in front of the tree

Capture the sweetest set of tiny toes with the Christmas tree twinkling softly in the background. It is a simple, dreamy photo that celebrates just how little and magical this season feels with a baby in your arms.

17. Christmas cookie baby photo

Hold a festive cookie over your baby so it looks like they are wearing it, and you have the cutest holiday illusion. It is silly, adorable, and guaranteed to become one of those photos you look back on every year.

18. Baby among the ornaments

Lay out your favorite ornaments in a circle and place baby right in the center for a flat lay that is equal parts cozy and colorful. After all, your little one is the most precious keepsake of all!

19. Cookies and a bottle of milk

Tuck your sleepy newborn next to Santa’s cookies and a tiny bottle of milk for a photo that feels straight out of a Christmas storybook. It is soft, sweet, and perfect for remembering just how peaceful this season can be. 

20. Baby sugar angel

Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on the floor and let baby wiggle into their very first “snow angel.” It is messy in the best way and creates a sweet, wintery moment without ever stepping outside.

A version of this post was published November 2, 2021. It has been updated.