5 Ideas for Creative Christmas Costumes

Dressing up in a Christmas costume is a wonderful way to show your holiday spirit during the flurry of December festivities each year. If you’ll be hosting your own party, greet your guests at the door in full regalia, or if you’re attending a Christmas costume party, come as a classic literary character! Below are some whimsical alternatives to the standard Santa and Mrs. Claus ensembles, which will help you celebrate the most magical time of year.

Get inspired by one of these creative Christmas costume ideas:

  • Traditions from Around the World: Incorporate holiday traditions from other countries as you plan your Christmas costumes. In Sweden, for example, the Christmas season begins on December 13, which is the feast day of Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Santa Lucia is a unique and elegant Christmas costume for women. Don a white robe (you can fashion one out of a plain white sheet or wear a simple white dress), and tie it with a scarlet red sash. Complete the ensemble with a crown made with evergreen boughs and candles.
  • Dickensian Characters: Turn to classic literature for a thoughtful and nostalgic Christmas costume idea. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is full of vibrant and interesting characters. For men’s Christmas costumes, consider Ebenezer Scrooge in a Victorian suit and top hat, or The Ghost of Christmas Present in a deep green robe with a holly wreath crown. Tiny Tim, of course, makes for an adorable Christmas costume for boys.
  • Movie Characters: Pay homage to pop culture and dress up as a character from a famous Christmas movie. Christmas costumes for adults can include Buddy the Elf from Elf, or the captain from The Polar Express. (Note: The gorgeous illustrations from the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg may provide more direction for your costume than the movie.) For Christmas costumes for kids, you can’t go wrong with Ralphie from A Christmas Story. Don’t forget the most essential prop—a BB gun!
  • Nutcracker Characters: If you’re looking for beautiful and elaborate Christmas party costumes, draw inspiration from The Nutcracker ballet. Characters include Clara (a perfect Christmas costume for girls), the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen, the Nutcracker himself, and all the inhabitants of the Land of Sweets. Model your ensemble after the gorgeous stage costumes or create your own non-ballet version. For example, the Sugar Plum Fairy traditionally wears a gold tutu, but you could easily translate that concept to a sparkly gold cocktail dress and a few glittering accessories.
  • Classic Symbols: For more ideas for Christmas costumes, turn to traditional symbols of the holiday season. Dress yourself as a Christmas tree, a ball of mistletoe, or a wrapped present. Base your outfit on a silver and gold theme, or a snowflake motif. The possibilities are endless!

Take some risks and have fun putting together your Christmas party costumes. You’ll be sure to spread holiday cheer wherever you go! Ready to start planning your own Christmas party? Get started with this free Christmas party invitation.

Free Christmas party invitations

Free Christmas party invitations

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