Christmas Pyjamas: Care Tips Before You Buy

If you live in the UK, there’s a good chance you’ve either bought christmas pyjamas before or thought about it and backed out at checkout. You scroll through pages of cute prints, matching sets, and family photos, then you remember last year’s disaster: stiff fabric, twisted waistbands, or colours that looked tired by New Year’s Day.

This time, you want to get it right. Whether you’re picking cosy mens pyjamas for Christmas Eve, fun boys pyjamas for Christmas morning photos, or full family sets, it’s worth slowing down and checking a few things before you hit “buy now”.

This guide walks through the bits most people skip: fabric, fit, washing, drying, and how to stop your festive PJs from shrinking, fading, or ending up at the back of the drawer.

1. Start With Fabric, Not Just the Print

The print gets your attention first. Reindeer. Gingerbread men. “Merry Christmas” slogans. But the fabric decides whether those Christmas pyjamas feel cosy or annoying.

Cotton and Cotton-Rich Christmas Pyjamas

If you want safe, comfy and breathable, cotton is usually the best option:

Feels soft against the skin
Breathes well in centrally heated UK homes
Works for both mens pyjamas and boys pyjamas
Easy to wash at 30–40°C

Look on the label or product page for “100% cotton” or “cotton-rich”. If it says cotton-rich, check what the rest is made of. A small percentage of elastane or polyester is fine and can help with stretch and shape.

Flannel and Brushed Cotton for Extra Warmth

If you live somewhere colder or your house tends to feel chilly at night, flannel or brushed cotton might be better:

Thicker and warmer than standard cotton
Great for those who feel the cold, especially in mens pyjamas
Cosy for boys who love snuggling on the sofa with Christmas films

The only catch is that flannel can shrink if you wash it too hot or tumble dry on high heat. So it pays to read the care label before you buy.

Polyester and Synthetics

Some of the cheapest christmas pyjamas use polyester or other synthetic blends. These often have really bold prints that look good in photos:

They tend to hold bright colours well
Less likely to shrink dramatically

But they can also feel a bit sweaty in warmer rooms, and might not be ideal for kids with sensitive skin. If you’re buying boys pyjamas that will be worn all winter, cotton usually wins on comfort.

2. Get Real About Sizing and Shrinkage

A big complaint with Christmas PJs goes something like: “They fit perfectly out of the bag, and after one wash they were too small.”

That’s usually a mix of natural shrinkage and optimistic sizing.

Check the Fit Description

Before you add christmas pyjamas to your basket, look for:

Fit type: slim, regular, or relaxed
Separate size charts for mens pyjamas and boys pyjamas
Any mention of “may shrink slightly after washing”

If you’re between sizes and the fabric is pure cotton or flannel, going up one size can be more comfortable in the long run, especially for men. For boys, remember they may grow noticeably between this Christmas and the next.

Pay Attention to Length

For men, leg length matters. No one wants pyjama bottoms hovering halfway up the shin. For boys, a bit of extra length is usually fine – cuffs can be rolled once, and they’ll grow into them quickly.

If the brand gives actual measurements (waist, inside leg, chest), use them instead of guessing.

3. Look at the Print Like a Laundry Detective

Bright red and deep green christmas pyjamas look great in photos and TikToks, but they can also be the first to fade.

When you’re scrolling through options, pause and look closer:

Are there close-up photos of the print?
Does the pattern look soft and woven into the fabric, or heavy and shiny on top?
Does the product description mention anything like “colourfast” or “reactive dyes”?

Very thick, shiny prints (you can often tell just by looking) are more likely to crack or peel after a few washes, especially on boys pyjamas that get worn hard and washed often.

If you’re buying for the whole family, it might be worth spending a little more on better-quality printing. It’s the difference between a one-night novelty and PJs you’ll pull out again next year.

4. Safety Checks for Boys Pyjamas

When you’re buying boys pyjamas, especially for younger children, safety needs to sit alongside the cute Christmas design.

Things to check:

Clear nightwear labels and safety warnings
Guidance like “keep away from fire” on kids’ nightwear
A comfortable but not extremely baggy fit

Be careful with extras like long belts, ties around the neck or very loose hoods. They might look good in staged photos but can be unsafe or annoying in everyday wear.

Stick to simple, well-fitting sets for boys, then add fun through the print instead of accessories.

5. Washing Christmas Pyjamas Without Ruining Them

You’ve finally chosen your christmas pyjamas. Now the real test starts: can they survive the washing machine?

Before the First Wash

Most people rip off the tags and throw new PJs straight into a big mixed wash. That’s the easiest way to get faded colours and weird shrinking.

For the first wash:

Turn them inside out
Wash at 30°C if possible
Wash with similar colours (dark reds with dark colours, light prints with lighter loads)
Use a gentle detergent or liquid that works well at lower temperatures

This matters most for deep reds and greens, which like to bleed colour at first. It’s also helpful for keeping prints bright on both mens pyjamas and boys pyjamas.

Everyday Washing Routine in December

Once you’ve done the first wash and nothing dramatic has happened, you can relax into an everyday routine:

Stay at 30–40°C
Don’t overload the machine
Keep them turned inside out to protect prints
Avoid bleach or very harsh stain removers on the printed areas

For boys who wear their Christmas PJs to eat, play and basically live in them, you can gently spot-treat food or chocolate stains before washing rather than scrubbing heavily at the fabric.

6. Drying and Storing Christmas Pyjamas the Right Way

Drying is where a lot of damage sneaks in. High heat can shrink cotton, flatten soft fibres and fade colours faster.

Drying Tips

Check the label before you use the tumble dryer
If tumble drying is allowed, choose a low heat setting
If you’re unsure, air dry on a rack or line
Reshape tops and bottoms while they’re still slightly damp

Heavier mens pyjamas can stretch if they’re hung from the shoulders when wet. Fold them over a rack instead. For boys pyjamas, small sizes dry fairly quickly even without a tumble dryer.

Storing Until Next Christmas

If you plan to keep your Christmas PJs for more than one season:

Make sure they’re fully clean and dry before storing.
Fold rather than scrunching them into a bag.
Store in a cool, dry drawer or fabric bag away from direct sunlight and damp.

Next year, you’ll thank yourself when you find a neat stack of soft, ready-to-wear christmas pyjamas instead of a faded, creased mess.

7. Extra Pointers for Mens Pyjamas vs Boys Pyjamas

Mens Pyjamas: Comfort for Long Evenings In

When you’re picking mens pyjamas for Christmas:

Check the waistband – it should stretch without digging in
Make sure buttons and seams don’t rub when you sit or lie down
If you work from home, think about whether you might wear them beyond Christmas week

Men often wear one favourite set on repeat. If that sounds familiar, consider buying two similar pairs and rotating them. They’ll last longer, and you’ll always have a fresh set ready.

Boys Pyjamas: Built for Chaos

For boys pyjamas, accept that they’ll be jumped in, slept in, eaten in, and probably used as a superhero outfit at some point.

To cope with that:

Choose prints that can hide small stains between washes
Prioritise soft waistbands and non-scratchy labels
Leave a little growing room so they might still fit next Christmas

A well-made pair can easily become a hand-me-down for younger siblings or cousins if you look after the fabric from day one.

FAQs: Christmas Pyjamas, Mens Pyjamas and Boys Pyjamas

1. How should I wash new Christmas pyjamas for the first time?

Wash new christmas pyjamas inside out at 30°C with similar colours and a gentle detergent. This helps set the dye, protects prints and reduces the risk of shrinking, especially with cotton and flannel.

2. Do mens pyjamas shrink more than boys pyjamas?

Neither mens pyjamas nor boys pyjamas have to shrink much if you follow the care label. Shrinkage usually comes from washing too hot or tumble drying on high. Cotton and flannel are the most likely to tighten up if handled roughly.

3. Can I tumble dry Christmas pyjamas?

You can tumble dry christmas pyjamas if the label says it’s safe. Use a low heat setting to protect the fabric and prints. If you’re unsure, air drying is safer and helps colours stay bright.

4. How do I stop boys pyjamas from fading quickly?

To slow fading on boys pyjamas, wash them inside out, avoid very hot washes, use mild detergents, and don’t leave them drying in direct sunlight for long periods. Also try not to overload the washing machine, so they rinse properly.

5. What should I look for when buying mens pyjamas as a Christmas gift?

When buying mens pyjamas as a gift, focus on soft fabric (cotton or flannel), the right size and leg length, a comfortable waistband, and a style that matches how they normally dress at home. Check that the care instructions are simple enough that they won’t avoid wearing them just because they’re awkward to wash.

If you use these checks before you buy and follow the care tips afterwards, your christmas pyjamas, mens pyjamas and boys pyjamas are much more likely to survive the full festive season and still look good next year.