Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Outfit Inspiration

Merry Christmas! I hope you are having a lovely week filled with tender moments of reflection, special times with the ones you love (one way or another!), holiday treats and memory making activities. Never before has it been more true for most of us that Christmas really is what you make it. So let’s make it merry and bright and full of good cheer. To that end, today I’m simply sharing a little Christmas outfit inspiration to help you get dressed for your special day.

James and I plan to be home alone on Christmas, but we’ll begin our day with a late but special breakfast. I doubt we’ll have the monkey bread our family has traditionally enjoyed on Christmas morning, but I’ll fix something yummy. And maybe James will brew a special coffee. Then in the afternoon James is using the sous vide to prepare rack of lamb while I make the mashed potatoes, red wine sauce and roasted brussels sprouts.

So I’ll definitely be wearing something very casual but festive. And my bet is I’ll wear my pajamas late into the morning and then change into fresh ones early in the evening. Besides it’s forecasted to be in the low 20s all day Friday, so cozy and warm will definitely be the goal.

Casual Outfit Inspiration

Cozy at Home and Ready for a Walk

Normally I would always fit in a good long walk on Christmas afternoon. With the extreme cold we’re supposed to have, I don’t know if that will happen this year. But something like these leggings and a colorful long sweater would be perfect for a day at home followed by a long walk through the neighborhood.

You can learn more about the above look in this previous post.

Stay in Your PJs!

Especially if you’re not expecting company or visiting in someone else’s home, I’m all for staying in your pajamas, if that’s your thing. My tip is simply to choose some pajamas that match. Ha! And wear some that make you feel festive and happy. I know for me, if I stay in slouchy, over-worn, mismatched pajamas all day my mood just sinks, sinks, sinks. This Christmas may be tough for you – for a variety of reasons – so set yourself up for more joy and less sadness by at least wearing pjs that help set the right spirit.

I purchased the pajama pants and their coordinating top (not shown here) from L.L.Bean. They are so yummy soft and cozy. The flannel pants and coordinating 100% jersey knit cotton tee have fast become my favorite. I’ve already washed them so they’re on the ready for late Christmas afternoon!

But I’m enjoying the “I Run On Coffee and Christmas Cheer” t-shirt, too. In fact, I’m wearing it right now with my T by Talbots joggers as I type this post.

For the outdoorsy day

If you need inspiration for a casual outfit that you can wear for outdoor activities, I suggest something like these boundless performance pocket tights and this cozy pullover. Better yet, slip into some fleece lined tights if you have them.

Check out my post on 10 Tips for Staying Fit Through the Holidays in which I featured the outfit above.

Fleece-lined Pants for an Indoor/Outdoor Day

Since our weather forecast is for us to stay in the 20s on Christmas day, my bet is I’ll be wearing my fleece-lined pants that day. And if I get busy and get it washed in time, I’ll probably be wearing my Nordic fair isle crewneck sweater with them.

The above photo was taken before visiting with friends in their backyard around their fire pit. I think I was also wearing this long sleeve layering tee for warmth. Be sure to layer on a camisole and/or long sleeve layering tee for warmth, if needed.

I also showed the same fleece-lined pants with my black winter fair isle sweater. While not as colorful, I still think this outfit is quite festive and appropriate for any day during the holidays. I wore it Sunday to church. Get more details on the look below in this previous post.

And here’s one more option with the above fleece-lined pants. I know many of my readers (including my mom) purchased these, so I’m glad to be able to show you several options with them. But if you don’t have these fleece-lined pants you can create similar looks with black jeans, cords or knit pants.

I love the classy simplicity of the above look.

Jeans & a Sweater

As you might have picked up, we’re moving from very casual to just casual to a little dressier. I think jeans and a pullover sweater in a color of the season or one that just makes you happy is always a good pairing. My first option is the same Nordic fair isle sweater above with blue jeans.

This look would work beautifully whether you’re staying home alone, having someone in or going somewhere.

I’m not one to shy away from colors of the season, as you may have surmised by now. Of course, I love red year round. So Christmas just legitimizes my decision to wear the festive hue. See how I layered on warmth on this outfit for the outdoors in yesterday’s post.

If you have a grey festive sweater or tee, you can pair it with black jeans for a chic, casual and understated look.

Or pair it with grey jeans for a monochromatic outfit. Then you can top it with a colored or patterned coat when you get out and about.

Have you seen my recent video about 6 ways to style a colorful coat? Check it out here.

Here’s another pretty sweater and jeans combo. This time I topped the cashmere turtleneck with a casual quilted vest. And I wore my leather riding boots. I suppose this outfit is more suited to going out somewhere.

If you happened to pick up one of the J.Jill Weston the dog sweaters, that’s a perfect choice for either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I gave mine to a friend, but I love this little sweater…and it’s still available and 40% off.

Casual, but Not Jeans

Now let’s move on to options that are still casual, but don’t include jeans. These J.Jill Ponte pants (or similar pants from your closet, of course) are perfect for Christmas because they’re comfortable, classy but also easy to move around in.

But I also think cords are very comfortable and appropriate for Christmas celebrations. You can dress them up or down.

See more details about the look above in this previous post. I wore this embellished snowflake tee when I got out to run some errands this morning. It felt festive but still casual with a pair of light wash jeans. But these black corduroy jeggings complete it in a little dressier vibe.

Here’s another look with those same black corduroy jeggings. Again, I added some bling for that festive feel. Not only is my Shimmer Sweater in classic acorn full of sparkle, but my thick pave hoop earrings and my tassel chain link necklace echo the dazzling effect.

I know several readers also picked up this olive green turtleneck pullover sweater when I shared it, too. This color is a super choice when you want to wear the colors of the season, but with a more subdued twist.

A Little Dressier, but Still Appropriate for Any Celebration

My final few outfits are a little dressier, but they’re still suitable for staying home, too. In fact, I’ll probably wear this first look to our church’s Christmas Eve service. And now it looks like we may be joining another couple at a restaurant afterwards for dinner. So this will do nicely.

Of course, I can also wear these black watch tartan plaid pants with my ribbed turtleneck sweater. Either will work. While the cashmere turtlenecks at Talbots are sold out, this ribbed turtleneck sweater is still in stock. I love these sweaters, and I’m kicking myself for not ordering the red when they were marked down to $39 the other day.

While you could also certainly wear a pretty dress, such as a sweater dress or other festive selection, I don’t have one from this year to show. But I did pull out my wool blend skirt to wear recently. I love this choice, too. And if I’m really feeling festive Friday, I just might put this on. I actually feel just as comfortable in this skirt and sweater as I do in jeans, if not more so.

What about you? What will you wear this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Obviously, I’m all for any of the above, so you’ll hear no condemnation from me if you choose to wear those jammies all day or something just as casual. I simply and graciously suggest that we do indeed put our best foot forward…for at least a portion of the day. Ha! Whether we’ll be with extended family, just our spouses or all alone, I think it’s important to dress to celebrate. Don’t you?

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Blessed for My Day

Jesus. There’s no other name under heaven or earth by which you can be saved. It’s the sweetest name on earth. While far too many make a mockery of the name every day by saying it with disgust or vile disregard, the name of Jesus is indeed the name above all names. And one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is indeed Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

Jesus is the Aramaic equivalent of the name Joshua, which means Jehovah saves. The Joshua of the Old Testament delivered the Israelites to the Promised Land flowing with mild and honey. He carried the people valiantly through battle and brought them out as victors. But Jesus, our one and only Savior, is God’s salvation for all mankind. He has conquered death, saved us from the penalty of sin and one day He will deliver us to heaven as promised. Let’s commit to treasure that beautiful name and only to say it reverently and gratefully.

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. ~ Luke 2:21