The guide for the person who said "let's all do matching pyjamas this year.
Matching family Christmas pyjamas sound simple until you actually try to organise them. You've got two adults in completely different sizes, three kids who've grown since last year, a grandmother who'll wear anything as long as it's warm, and a family group chat that has seventeen opinions on the print. This guide cuts through all of it.
Everything you need to know about buying matching family Christmas pyjamas - sizing, what to order, how much to budget, how to include the extended family and how to make sure nobody ends up in something that doesn't fit on Christmas morning.
Table of content
Step One: Work Out Who You're Buying For
The first decision with family Christmas pyjamas is figuring out exactly who's in. This sounds obvious but it matters - because "the family" can mean very different things depending on whether you're buying for:
- Two adults and young kids - the most straightforward version. Adult sizing for the parents, children's sizing for the kids.
- A multi-generational family - grandparents included. Make sure whoever you're ordering from does sizing that covers everyone from kids through to older adults.
- A big extended family - siblings, cousins, the whole Christmas gathering. At this scale, consider ordering in phases: immediate family first, extended family if budget allows.
- A blended family - different kids in different houses at different times. Matching pyjamas still work brilliantly here; just make sure you're ordering the right sizes for each household.
OddBalls' family matching Christmas pyjama sets cover both adult and children's sizing in the same prints, so everyone gets the same design regardless of age or size.
The Adult Sizing Question
Adults are easier to size than kids but there are still things worth getting right. OddBalls' family matching pyjama sets come in separate men's and women's adult sizing - not a unisex size - which means both adults in the family get a proper fit rather than one person wearing something designed for a different body.
Check the size guide for both the top and bottoms separately. Pyjama sets sometimes have different fit guidance for the top versus the trousers, and it's worth checking both rather than just picking your usual clothing size.
If you're buying as a surprise gift and genuinely don't know someone's size, size up rather than down. A slightly relaxed fit in pyjamas is always more comfortable than one that's too small.
The Kids Sizing Guide
Kids' sizing is where most family pyjama orders go wrong. Children's clothing sizes vary significantly between brands - a child who wears age 5-6 in one brand might need 6-7 in another. Before you order, measure rather than guess.
What to measure:
- Chest (measure around the fullest part)
- Waist (natural waistline)
- Height (standing, no shoes)
Then check the OddBalls size guide against those measurements rather than relying on age alone. Kids' sizing by age is a starting point, not a guarantee.
A few rules of thumb:
- If your child is between sizes, size up - pyjamas should be comfortable and relaxed, not fitted
- Kids grow fast. If you're buying in October for a December Christmas, factor in two months of growth
- Wash before wearing - cotton can shrink slightly in the first wash, so buying slightly larger has an extra benefit
What to Do About the Extended Family
Extending matching pyjamas to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins is increasingly popular - and genuinely brilliant for Christmas morning photos. Practically, it means a bigger order and more sizing to manage.
A few ways to handle it:
Coordinate centrally. One person takes responsibility for collecting everyone's sizes and placing the order. Assign this to the most organised person in the family.
Split by household. Each household orders their own sets in the same print. Share the product link and the specific print you're going for, and let each household sort their own sizes. Takes the logistics off one person.
Do immediate family first. If budget is a factor, prioritise the household that's actually together on Christmas morning. Extended family can join the tradition in future years.
OddBalls' matching pyjamas collection covers enough prints that if you want different designs for different households within the same family, there's room to do that too.
Budget: What Does It Actually Cost to Dress the Whole Family?
Rough guide for planning purposes:
Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids): Two adult sets + two children's sets. Typically £126 - £138 depending on the sets chosen.
Family of 5 or 6: Add one or two more children's sets. Still one of the more cost-effective Christmas traditions when you consider what you get back in terms of the moment.
Extended family gathering: At this scale, look at whether bundles are available - a bundle deal per household works out better value than individual sets.
The cost is worth it if the sets are actually worn beyond Christmas morning - which cotton pyjamas in a bold print consistently are. You're not buying a one-night costume, you're buying nightwear that happens to match.
Making It a Tradition
The families that do matching Christmas pyjamas every year tend to have a few things in common: they order early (so they're not scrambling in December), they involve the kids in choosing the print (which builds the excitement), and they photograph Christmas morning every year in them.
A few tips for making it stick:
1. Order in October. The best prints and kids' sizes sell out first. October ordering means you have full choice and no last-minute panic.
2. Involve the kids in choosing. Letting children help pick the print means they're excited to wear them - not reluctant. Even a shortlist of two or three options works.
3. Do the photo every year. The photo is the tradition. Same spot, same chaos, same energy - just everyone slightly taller than last year. It's the kind of photo that means something in ten years.
4. Keep last year's sets. They become the "this is what we looked like in 2025" set that gets pulled out at some point and laughed at.
Family Christmas Pyjamas - FAQs
What are the best matching family Christmas pyjamas in the UK?
The best matching family Christmas pyjamas have bold prints that look great in photos, soft fabric that's comfortable for all ages and sizing that covers both adults and children properly. OddBalls' family matching Christmas pyjama sets are made from soft cotton and available in kids' and adults' sizing - browse the matching pyjamas collection for the current range.
Do OddBalls do matching family pyjamas with kids' sizing?
Yes - OddBalls' family matching pyjama sets include children's sizing alongside adult men's and women's sizes so the whole family can properly match. Check the size guide for the full children's size range before ordering.
What age range do OddBalls children's pyjamas cover?
OddBalls' children's sizing covers a range from young children upwards. Check the size guide for exact measurements -always size by measurement rather than age for the best fit.
How do I know what size to order for my kids?
Measure chest, waist and height, then cross-reference with the OddBalls size guide rather than going by age alone. If your child is between sizes, size up -pyjamas should be relaxed and comfortable.
When should I order family Christmas pyjamas?
October is ideal - you get the best choice of prints and sizes before things start selling out. Kids' sizes and popular prints tend to go first. OddBalls recommends ordering by early December at the latest for guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery.
Can I order adults' and children's sets separately?
Yes - OddBalls' matching pyjama sets are available in separate adult and children's sizing, so you order exactly the sizes you need rather than a fixed bundle. Mix sizes within the same print to dress the whole family.
What fabric are OddBalls family Christmas pyjamas made from?
OddBalls' family Christmas pyjamas are made from soft cotton - breathable, lightweight and comfortable for all ages. Cotton gets softer with every wash, which is why these tend to be the pyjamas that get worn on repeat long after Christmas.
Do you do matching Christmas pyjamas for couples separately?
Yes - browse the matching Christmas pyjamas guide for couples' sets and everything you need to know about choosing the right set for two people.
Related readings
Shop Family Christmas Pyjamas
Bold prints. Soft cotton. Proper sizing for kids and adults. Order early - the best prints sell out before December.
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