These festive matching pajama sets are perfect for Christmas and Hanukkah

My family has tried a lot of matching holiday pajamas since I first wrote about them three years ago—14 different pairs, to be exact. Initially, we were totally biased against matching Christmas pajamas; after all, my husband is a Jewish New Yorker who doesn't understand why colors other than black exist, and I'm rather like a female Ebeneezer Scrooge—if it costs money and is holiday-themed, I want nothing to do with it. Well, call it a Christmukkah miracle, but we're now totally on board with the matching holiday pajama trend.

While some people are passionate about their favorite brands, other families just go with whatever will look the best in their family photos. Whatever you prefer, the perfect set of matching pajamas for your family does exist, and we've tried most of them, so that you'll know exactly what to buy to make your holidays sparkle.

1. Little Sleepies Christmas pajamas

If you haven't heard of Little Sleepies pajamas, then you probably don't follow any celebrity parents on Instagram. Little Sleepies is the pajama brand for celeb parents and now I know why: Not only are they insanely cute, they are out-of-this-world soft. Made with sustainable, eco-friendly bamboo viscose, Little Sleepies are lightweight, stretchy, and silky soft. My kids opened the box when it arrived and they were so excited about the texture of these pajamas that they actually cuddled them like blankets.

If you're someone who prefers wearing pajamas made from thick material, Little Sleepies are going to miss the mark for you. However, if you like a lightweight pj that keeps you just warm enough, you'll be thrilled with a pair of these buttery soft jammies. Plus, the natural moisture-wicking properties of bamboo means that you'll be less likely to wake up all sweaty.

One thing I really like about the Little Sleepies pajamas is that they wash beautifully. I didn't have any issues with the colors fading, and none of the pairs got stretched out in the wash. The directions say that it's best to line-dry, as the fabric is kind of delicate, but I dried them on low, and they came out fine (though they are a static cling magnet).

Price wise, Little Sleepies aren't terribly expensive, compared to other sustainable pajama brands. The kids two-piece pajama set is $32, and the adult pajama pieces are each sold separately, which is great if you're someone who prefers to sleep in an old T-shirt instead of a matching set (ahem, me). The women's pajama top is priced at $28, and the bottoms at $30, while the men's top is $30 and the bottoms $32.

Need a bit more convincing before you spring for a set of Little Sleepies matching pajamas? A portion of every sale goes to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to help find a cure for childhood cancer.

Get the Fair Isle matching family pajamas at Little Sleepies

2. Little Sleepies Hanukkah pajamas

One of the things that's changed in recent years is how many more brands carry matching Hanukkah pajamas for families—and how cute the prints are. My kids love Little Sleepies' Dancing Dreidel print, and even my crotchety husband grudgingly admitted to finding them charming. Plus, we're all totally obsessed with Little Sleepies because they are so insanely soft. Need proof about how comfortable Little Sleepies pajamas are? My son has been wearing these every single night since our samples arrived in the mail (yes, I've been doing a lot of laundry).

If you're a family who doesn't celebrate Christmas—or you're an interfaith one like ours—but you still want to take part in the matching holiday pajama look, a Dancing Dreidel set from Little Sleepies is the way to go. Not only are they soft enough to win over even the most skeptical member of your tribe, they also look really cute in photos.

Get the Dancing Dreidel matching family pajamas at Little Sleepies

3. Mightly

Mightly is a brand of organic cotton kidswear that I hadn't known about prior to trying these family matching Christmas pajamas. Well, I am now totally in love with Mightly's super soft, 100% cotton jammies, and I'm planning to order a bunch of their other cute apparel items for my kids.

Mightly only has one option for their matching Christmas pajamas: a festive red and white stripe with green accents. I wasn't overly excited about the print, but when the pajamas arrived and I saw how bright the colors were, I was swayed. Then we all tried on our Mightly pajamas and they were deliciously soft and just the right thickness—enough to keep you toasty on a cold night, but not so thick that you're likely to wake up in a puddle of sweat.

As far as the way Mightly pajamas fit, they're definitely snug. Not so much that I felt they were too small or uncomfortable, but if you prefer your pjs to be roomier, it would be wise to order a size up from what you usually wear. Also, there are no itchy tags in these pajamas, which I really appreciated, since I can never seem to find a pair of scissors in our house.

My biggest concern about the Mightly pajama set was that the colors would fade or, worse, run in the wash. I'm happy to report that they washed spectacularly, and are just as bright as they were on the day they arrived, even after several weeks of regular washing.

The kids pajama sets are priced at $29.95, and the adult sets at $39.95, which I think is a very good price for organic cotton that's fair trade-certified. Plus, Mightly's pajamas photograph so well thanks to the vivid colors, so they'll look great on your holiday card.

Shop holiday pajamas at Mightly

4. Lake

If you're in the market for family holiday pajamas that are more sophisticated, but still festive, look no further than Lake. I love the menswear style of the adult pajamas because they made me feel far less infantile than other pairs that were covered in overtly Christmasy prints. Also, they have pockets, which may seem weird in pajamas, but is actually very practical when one is a parent who is constantly asked to hold random items.

The kids' pairs are crafted from pima cotton, which is basically silky soft, stretchy cotton that is insanely comfortable. Both of my kids love the texture of their Lake pjs, and I admit that it's especially enjoyable to cuddle with them when they are wearing them. The adult pairs, on the other hand, are made of 100% poplin cotton, which is a light fabric that's often used for mens' button down shirts. This isn't a fabric that's going to keep you all that warm, but if you're a hot sleeper and prefer a lightweight pajama, you'll be pleased with Lake's option.

We found the sizing of the adult pjs to be true to size and appreciated that they feature a drawstring so that the wearer can adjust the waist to their liking. My husband has very broad shoulders and was worried that the Lake pair would be too tight across the chest, but they fit comfortably and he had room to move. The children's pairs are slim fitting, but the stretchy pima cotton means that there's room to grow.

Price wise, Lake pajamas are definitely an investment. The adult pairs are each $112 (on sale from $138), and the kids's sets are $48. They also offer a women's nightshirt for $74, if that's more your style. It's worth noting that the packaging is reflective of the higher price point, and our pajamas arrived in a high quality branded box with a ribbon. If you're thinking of gifting a set of matching family pajamas, Lake is a great option.

Shop holiday pajamas at Lake

5. Primary

What sets Primary apart from other brands is that the clothes have no slogans, no itchy labels, and all the pieces are wardrobe basics that can be mixed and matched for kids of all genders. The family pajamas are no exception: They're made from high-quality fabric and feature prints that appeal to everyone.

Primary's matching family pajamas are made from thick, 100% organic cotton, which makes them perfect for families who want super toasty jammies that aren't flannel. My daughter complained that these were way too hot for her, but she sleeps in shorts and tank tops in the middle of winter, so take her review with a grain of salt. I found the pajamas to be really cozy and soft, and I liked that there were no itchy tags that had to be cut out.

One of the things I like about Primary is that all of their clothes and pajamas are pre-shrunk, so you don't have to worry about pajamas emerging from the wash a few sizes smaller than they went in. These do run slim, however, so definitely size up if you or your child prefer a roomier fit. Also, it's worth noting that there are no "men's" and "women's" sizes—they're just billed as "grown-ups"—and they come in sizes XS to XXXL, so there are plenty of options for parents of all sizes.

If you're not quite ready to take the plunge into full matching pajama territory, Primary may be just the brand for you. Since the tops and bottoms are sold separately you can choose coordinating, non-holiday pieces to mix and match with your more festive ones. Prices run $19.50 per piece for the kids sizes, and $34.50 each for the grown-up ones.

Get Tree Print matching family pajamas at Primary

6. Hanna Andersson

Hanna Andersson may very well be the OG family matching pajama brand, and they really have their holiday game down. They offer the most extensive collection of festive pajamas that I've ever seen, and they were one of the first retailers to carry family Hanukkah pajamas.

When it came to selecting a set of Hanna Andersson matching Christmas pajamas, I became rather overwhelmed, because there are so many prints to choose from (including several different Star Wars ones). Were we a grey Tannenbaum, or a Falala type of family? Every single option looked cute and festive, so I ceded control to my children and let them select their favorite pattern. They both liked the Gnome Sweet Gnome pjs, so into the shopping cart they went.

I've generally been impressed with Hanna Andersson's quality, and the family jammies did not disappoint: These organic cotton pjs are thick and cozy and ideal for chilly winter nights. The thick organic cotton fabric is so durable that the knees managed to hold up to the gymnastic moves my children performed on our front sidewalk, so if you're looking for Holiday pajamas that can be passed down from sibling to sibling, Hanna Andersson is worth purchasing.

Here's the bad news about Hanna Andersson's matching family pajamas: They are not cheap. A pair of adult pajamas rings up to $92, and the kids sets range cost $48—and that's before tax and shipping. Keep in mind that they're crafted from high-quality organic cotton that will far outlast the holidays, but if you're looking for something that's a one time wear and you don't want to make a significant investment, these are not the pjs for you.

Get the Gnome Sweet Gnome matching family pajamas at Hanna Andersson

7. Maisonette

If you're looking to treat yourself—and your family—to some truly luxurious matching holiday pajamas this year, look no further than the Petite Plume line at Maisonette. I'm always a sucker for anything even remotely French, so I was pretty sure that I was going to love these pajamas, and I wasn't wrong.

First of all, they arrived packaged in chic, high-quality cardboard boxes each tied with a satin ribbon. My son's and husband's pajama sets were packed together in one box, and my pajamas and my daughter's nightgown were tucked in the second box. I ordered these for myself, but nevertheless it felt like opening a gift.

As for the pajamas themselves, they're deliciously soft and comfortable. Prior to their initial laundering the pajamas felt really stiff, but after a wash in cold water and a tumble in the dryer, they felt perfectly worn in. I personally love the menswear-style of the women's set, and my daughter was thrilled with her coordinating nightgown.

As far as the sizing, I would say that these are somewhat closer to European sizing. The pants fit my slender kiddo nicely, so if you have a child who prefers a roomier cut, definitely purchase a size larger than you normally would. It's also worth noting is that the sleeves seem to run slightly short in the adult styles—this was an issue with my and my husband's pair—but it was minor and certainly didn't keep us from wearing these quite a lot.

Petite Plume's pajamas are definitely on the more expensive end of the spectrum—adult pairs are priced at $88, the kids pajamas are $58, and the child's nightgown costs $48—but if you're willing to splash out a bit this season, you won't be disappointed by the quality.

Because the Petite Plume pajamas are made from 100% cotton, they do come out of the dryer rather wrinkly, so if you're planning on a fancy family pajama photoshoot, you'll definitely need to plan ahead and reserve some time for ironing. Want to take your matching pajama game to the next level? Maisonette will monogram your pajamas for an extra $20 a pair.

Shop Petite Plume pajamas at Maisonette

8. Pajamagram

As the name suggests, Pajamagram specializes in sending gift boxes of pajamas right to your loved one's front door. If you've decided to go minimalist this holiday season, but your parents or in-laws are still insisting on sending you something, ask them to order a Pajamagram. The company carries 27 different holiday prints (though no Hanukkah-specific ones), and has the widest selection of sizes that I found anywhere online.

Pajamagram offers free keepsake packaging on every order, which includes a fabric gift bag for each member of the family and a personalized gift card. You can also opt for one of their premium gift wrapping options, which include a red velvet gift bag ($12.99), personalized canvas tote ($9.99), or a deluxe gift box ($6.99). The box was packed really nicely, and even though we opted for the free fabric bag, it was pleasant to unwrap and would definitely make a nice gift.

The description on the Pajamagram site says that the pajamas are snug-fitting, but we found that the sizing runs slightly large. I ordered a small for myself, and it was definitely more generously sized than any of the other brands that we tried. I also found that the kid's pairs were snug-fitting in the legs, but larger in the waist, so my slender kids had issues with the bottoms sliding down when they were wearing them. My husband's large pair fit more true-to-size, so the sizing doesn't seem to be an issue with the men's sets.

The cost for our set of four matching pajamas was $245.96, before tax and shipping. Both pairs of adult pajamas cost $74.99, and the kids' sets came in at $47.99 each. If you and your family want to take your holiday family matching pajama game to a whole new level, Pajamagram will personalize your pjs for an extra $12.99 per pair.

Shop Matching Family Pajamas at Pajamagram

9. Carter's

I'm a big fan of Carter's pajamas for my kids because they're reasonably priced and they hold up to hard use and lots of washing. When I discovered that Carter's carried matching family Christmas pajamas naturally I wanted to give them a try.

Don't expect to go in to your local Carter's store to see the matching family pajamas in person—the adult sizes are only carried online. You can certainly purchase the kid's sizes in the store, but Christmas pjs sell out quickly and you'll have a larger selection of sizes and patterns available to choose from if you order everything online.

Not surprisingly, the kids pairs are great. They fit perfectly and the 100% cotton fabric is soft, comfortable, and has maintained its bright color through repeated laundry loads. The adult jammies, on the other hand, were a bit of a disappointment. First of all, the sizes run so incredibly small. My husband could barely squeeze his broad shoulders into the pair we bought for him, and the pants on mine were tight, short, and had a weird, uncomfortable seam that ran under my butt.

The pricing, on the other hand, cannot be beat. The adult pajamas are currently on sale for $22.50 each, the kids sizes for $15, and the toddler ones for $10. If you're a family on a budget who still wants to celebrate the season in matching pajama style, I highly recommend the Carter's pajamas. That way you don't have to feel guilty for spending gobs of money on pjs the adults only wear a few times.

Shop matching Christmas pajamas at Carter’s

10. Burt's Bees

My kids wore a lot of Burt's Bees onesies when they were babies, but once they grew out of the toddler sizes, I sort of forgot that the company made things other than bath and body products. Several friends sang the praises of Burt's Bees holiday pajamas right off the bat, so the first pajama sets we ordered—and tried out—were from Burt's Bees.

Well. There is a reason that people are die-hard Burt's Bees pajama fans: They are incredibly comfortable, outstandingly soft, and fit perfectly. Burt's Bees pajamas are made from 98% organic cotton with a touch of spandex, which results in just the right amount of stretch and softness.

As far as sizing goes, if you prefer loose-fitting pajamas, you'll want to order one size up from what you usually wear. The pants are designed to be slim fitting, but they are snug on both mine and my kids' skinny legs, so they definitely run on the narrow side. The adult sets cost $39.95 each, the bigger kid sizes are priced at $21.95, and the toddler pjs retail for $16.95.

Shop matching family pajamas at Burt’s Bees

11. The Children's Place

I didn't realize that The Children's Place was doing matching family pajamas until a friend told me about them, and I'm so glad they did. When my kids were babies and toddlers I bought most of their jammies at The Children's Place, because their cotton zip-up footie pajamas were soft, comfy, and durable (plus they've always had the cutest prints). The matching family jams are just as great as those long-ago footie ones: The cotton is super soft, the print is vibrant and held up well through multiple washes, and everyone in the family agreed that these were a great addition to our matching pajama wardrobe.

The family pajamas are all unisex sizing, both for the adults and the children, which was fine for the kids but made the fit strange on my curvier frame. I ordered the small for myself, and while the pants fit fine, the top was oversized through the shoulder, but pulled across my chest. It wasn't a deal breaker in terms of comfort, but if you're looking for a pair of Christmas pajamas that are going to be figure flattering, this may not be the best option for you. On the other hand, the adult large fit my husband really well, and the kids' sizes were just right for Noah and Rose. We all especially loved that the print glows in the dark, and my kids got a kick of putting their heads under their covers to see the lit-up Santas.

If you're still on the fence about springing for matching Christmas pajamas let me convince you this way: The kids pajamas are on sale for $14.98 per pair and the adult jammies are priced at only $27.48. If you only wear them a few times and get one cute family photo, you will have totally gotten your money's worth.

Get the Glow Santa Pajamas at The Children’s Place