Every year the same thing happens. Someone gets excited in October, the group chat goes quiet in November, and on December 10 there are nine people arguing about whether Grandpa is a large or an extra large. Matching family Christmas shirts are one of the best holiday photos you can plan, but only if the order is organized early. Here is the timeline and checklist we walk families through.
Start with the date you need them in hand
Work backward from your event, not from the day you finish the design. Orders ship 5-7 business days after you approve your free digital mockup, plus shipping time to your door. Give yourself a buffer of a week or more for sizing surprises and reorders. If you are short on time, ask about rush production at 3-5 business days or even 24-72 hours, and check our rush t-shirt page.
Collect sizes the easy way
- Use one shared note or form. Name, size, and fit (adult, youth, toddler) in a single list so nothing gets lost in texts.
- Ask for a recent shirt size. Guessing is how kids end up swimming in a youth large.
- Order a couple of spare sizes. A few extras in the middle of the range save a holiday morning.
- Remember babies and pets. Onesies and toddler sizes are a big hit in photos.
Pick a design that photographs well
Simple wins. A bold phrase, a family name with a year, or a one or two color graphic reads clearly from across a room and in a group shot. Busy designs with tiny text disappear on camera. Skip any licensed characters or logos, since we cannot print those, and lean on original art, fun fonts and your own family name instead. Not sure where to start? Send us an idea and our designers will mock it up.
Choose the shirt color and fabric
Classic red, forest green and white look great in winter photos. For a group with mixed ages, a soft cotton or tri-blend tee works for everyone, and a hoodie is perfect for cold-weather gatherings. Dark shirts need a bright underbase layer so the print pops, which we handle for you.
Which print method fits your family order?
| Your order | Best method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 24 shirts | DTF or DTG | Full-color designs and mixed sizes with no setup headaches |
| 24+ shirts, 1-2 colors | Screen printing | Best value and the most durable print for a big family or reunion |
| Names or numbers on each shirt | DTF or DTG | Each shirt can carry a different name without extra screens |
| Matching sweatshirts or hoodies | Screen printing or DTF | Thicker fabric holds bold art well |
Our custom group shirts page covers the details, and the instant quote shows pricing in about a minute without any guessing.
Family Christmas shirt checklist
- Pick your must-have-by date and count back at least two weeks.
- Choose a simple design and 1-3 colors.
- Collect every size, including youth and toddler.
- Approve the free digital mockup, checking spelling twice.
- Wash cold and inside out so the shirts look good all season.
We are a family shop in Garden Grove, CA, and we ship nationwide, so wherever your relatives are, the plan works. You see a free digital mockup before anything is printed, and orders ship in 5-7 business days after mockup approval. Questions? Our FAQs have answers.
Ready to outfit the whole family?
Tell us your headcount and your deadline and we will make it easy.
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