Christmas Hairstyles for Kids: 8 Festive Styles for Parties, Photos, and Concerts

Christmas morning with kids is a happy kind of chaos. Pajamas, wrapping paper, a stocking that needs emptying, and a camera that comes out before breakfast. Hair should not slow any of it down.

Christmas hairstyles for kids work best when they are quick, comfortable, and sturdy enough to survive a party, a concert, and a pile of family photos. The eight styles below cover all of it, from a two-minute clip to a braid that feels like a whole costume.

Candy Cane Ribbon Twists

Split the hair into two pigtails and twist each one. Then wind red and white ribbon around each twist, spiraling down like a candy cane, and tie the ribbon off at the ends. The whole thing takes about ten minutes and reads instantly as Christmas.

Twists are gentler than braids on tender heads, which makes this a good pick for younger kids. Keep the twists loose near the scalp so nothing pulls, and let the ribbon do the decorating. A pair of small white bows at the ends finishes the look without adding weight.

Christmas Tree Braid

Make one side braid, then decorate it like a tree. A tiny gold star clip goes on top, and three or four mini bauble clips dot the braid below it. Green ribbon woven through the braid adds to the effect without any extra effort.

This style photographs beautifully from the side, which is why it suits family photos so well. It works best on hair past the shoulders, and a little spray of water keeps flyaways flat while you braid. For more braid ideas, our kids braids collection has plenty of everyday options.

Reindeer Pigtails

Two high pigtails plus a brown antler headband turn any kid into a reindeer in about five minutes. Gather the hair high on each side, tie it with brown ribbon, and let the curls puff out. The headband sits behind the pigtails and stays put on its own.

This one is pure costume, and kids love it for parties and school dress-up days. The pigtails hold their shape because curly hair springs back into place, even after a round of running around. Skip heavy gel here. A light leave-in keeps the curls soft and the pigtails bouncy.

Star Topper Bun

A smooth high bun with a gold star clip on top looks like the top of a Christmas tree. Brush the hair up, twist it into a bun, pin it, and perch the star right at the front of the bun. Two minutes of work, and the style is party ready.

The star is the whole trick. Without it, the bun is just a bun. With it, the look feels finished and festive. Pick a star clip with a firm grip, not a flimsy one, so it stays put through hugs, photos, and a long meal.

Jingle Bell Ponytail

A high ponytail with a small jingle bell on the hair tie is the simplest festive style on this list. Pull the hair up, wrap the tie twice, and let the bell sit where everyone can hear it. Kids grin every time they move their heads.

This style suits kids who will not sit still for braids or buns. It takes under a minute and works on any hair long enough to gather. Keep the bell small and light so it jingles without tugging, and skip it for naps or car seats, where a bell against the headrest gets annoying fast.

Snowflake Side Braid

One loose side braid with white snowflake clips is the quiet cousin of the louder Christmas styles. Braid over one shoulder, keep it soft, and pin two or three snowflake clips along the braid. The white against the hair reads like fresh snow.

This style suits kids who prefer calm over costume. It stays neat for hours because the braid sits low and does not rub against coats or scarves. It also pairs well with a winter coat and a knit hat, since the braid slides out from under a hat without tangling.

Holly Berry Puffs

Two round puffs with red berry clips and a green ribbon read as holly, and they take about ten minutes. Part the hair down the middle, gather each side into a puff, and tuck a berry clip into each one. A short length of green ribbon tied around each puff base ties the whole look together.

Puffs are kind to coily hair because they need no heat, no brushing against the curl, and no tight parts. Keep the bands loose enough to slide a finger under them. A puff that pulls at the hairline will bother a child long before the party ends.

Concert Low Chignon

A smooth low chignon with a plaid bow is the style for school concerts and church. Brush the hair back, twist it into a low bun at the nape, pin it, and finish with a plaid bow at the side. It looks polished from the audience and stays put through a whole program.

Concert styles need to survive stage lights, standing, and singing. A low bun does that better than anything loose. It also stays out of the way of collars, scarves, and choir robes. Practice it once before the concert day so the morning version takes five minutes, not fifteen.

Picking the Right Style for Each Christmas Moment

Not every Christmas moment wants the same style. Parties want fun, so candy cane twists and reindeer pigtails fit right in. Concerts want polish, so the chignon or the star bun is the better call. Photos want a clear shape from the front, so a side braid or a high puff shows up best on camera.

Match the style to the schedule, not the other way around. A costume style at a concert looks out of place, and a plain bun at a party feels like a missed chance. If photos are the main event, our picture day hairstyles for kids guide has more camera-ready ideas in the same spirit.

Keeping It Comfortable All Day

A beautiful style that hurts is a bad style. Check tension by asking your child how it feels, not by looking at it. A braid that pulls, a band that digs in, or a clip that pinches will ruin the day faster than a plain style ever could. Loosen anything that gets a complaint.

Comfort also means safe clips and pins. Skip sharp metal clips for small kids, and keep bobby pins flat against the head with the wavy side down. The American Academy of Dermatology’s healthy hair tips cover gentle handling for children who hate having their hair done.

Quick Answers

What time should we start hair on Christmas morning?

Start about half an hour before you need to leave, or before guests arrive. That leaves room for a snack, shoes, and one redo without rushing.

What if my kid hates sitting still for styling?

Keep it under two minutes. A ponytail with a bell or a clip counts as a finished style. Let your child pick the clip, and keep the styling chair near a show or a snack so the time passes fast.

How do I stop clips and bows from slipping out?

Crisscross two bobby pins under the clip, and pin through the hair, not over it. For fine hair, a light mist of water before pinning gives clips something to grip.

Do these styles work on short hair?

Most of them do. The jingle bell ponytail, the star bun, and the snowflake braid all work on shorter lengths with a few extra pins. Our hairstyles for kids collection has more everyday ideas for busy mornings.

Christmas hairstyles for kids are about the morning feeling easy and the photos looking like the day felt. Pick the style that fits your child’s hair and patience, keep the fuss low, and let the day be about the tree, not the mirror. If you want the Thanksgiving set to match, our Thanksgiving hairstyles for kids roundup has the same spirit for the earlier holiday.