Easy Kids' Outfit Ideas For Your Holiday Photos
How to Get Your Kids Holiday Photo Ready . . . Without a Meltdown!
All we want for Christmas is one picture. One picture where everyone is smiling, happy, and looking at the camera — it's the ultimate holiday card goal. But when the simplest thing, like getting dressed, can cause a tantrum of epic proportions, it would seem that this one dream is always out of reach. Luckily, the team at POPSUGAR is filled with superparents who are willing to share their tips for avoiding the inevitable meltdown.
1. Set Yourself Up For Success
It's all about the prep work! Executive Style Director Dana Avidan Cohn has young boys who couldn't be more different.
"My older son is a breeze! He wears anything I buy for him and likes when I pick out his 'fancies' for special occasions. My younger one is totally different. He's going through a phase: tees, dino everything, and only soft pants. A friend told me to take all the stuff out of his drawers that I don't like or that may cause meltdowns. Now he has a drawer of stuff he and I agree on — like sweaters and comfortable pants — and he's free to pick what he wants."
"Now he has a drawer of stuff he and I agree on — like sweaters and comfortable pants — and he's free to pick what he wants."
2. Prepare For the Worst, Pray For the Best
Ahh . . . reverse psychology, the oldest parent trick in the book. Sometimes the only way to deal with a stubborn child is with a clever mind game.
"I usually start with something I know they won't wear so we can 'fall back' on the outfit I really want them to wear," explains mother of two and Director of Editorial Partnerships Rebecca Gruber. "I've also become an expert on finding nice-looking pants with elastic waists so we don't have to fight over comfort," she says, because comfort is a big hangup for her kids. "My trick is a dressier pair of sneakers or boots rather than dress shoes. The kids are more comfortable and then they actually want to wear them."
"My trick is a dressier pair of sneakers or boots rather than dress shoes. The kids are more comfortable and then they actually want to wear them."
3. Avoid a Hangry Situation
"For the holidays or anytime they have to get dressed for something, I always make sure they've eaten first. Never argue with a hungry or tired kid . . . it's a fight you can't win," explains Dana. But what's the saying about the best-laid plans? "I'm not ashamed to say that I bribe my children with screen time or a jelly bean when I don't have the patience required for the argument. I keep them hidden and give them one each as a reward for listening."
When it comes to getting the perfect picture of her kids in their best, Director of Brand Partnerships and mom of three, Lauren Mitrani has a pretty smart idea.
"I always try to pick out their outfits from the night before. If I don't, my daughter will have a meltdown in the morning. She loves mixing and matching patterns and prints."
"I always try to pick out their outfits from the night before. If I don't, my daughter will have a meltdown in the morning. She loves mixing and matching patterns and prints."
4. Make It Fun
When in doubt, make them laugh!
"When I take my kids' photo or someone else is taking their photo, I always say, 'There are carrots in my ears!' to get them to look and smile. Or I say real seriously, 'Don't smile!' to get them to smile when they're feeling nervous or annoyed when someone is taking their picture," explains Fitness writer Jenny Sugar.
Another tip is to make it all a dress-up game. "If possible, I try and relate her dresses to princess dresses," says Director of Brand Partnerships Juliet Glatzer. "If I'm trying to get my daughter to wear a fancy dress, I tell her it’s just like her favorite character!"
"I try and relate her dresses to princess dresses. If I'm trying to get my daughter to wear a fancy dress, I tell her it’s just like her favorite character!"
