Ho, ho, ho! There are a few unmistakable signs that herald the arrival of the holiday season, but Starbucks' festive beverages and the transformation of CF shopping malls into Santa's workshops are perhaps the most indicative. For many families, meeting Santa is a treasured holiday tradition––and a rite of passage for a baby’s first Christmas––that fills both children and adults with a sense of wonder and joy. It's also a prime opportunity to capture lasting holiday memories, which emphasises the need for dressing your kids appropriately. Ill-fitting, itchy, or uncomfortable clothing can lead to cranky children, and ensuring an enjoyable experience is more likely to provide better photos (although even the not-so-merry visits can be amusing to share online using the hashtag #santafail). Here are festive fashion ideas that your little one will love for a holly jolly Santa Claus experience at the mall.

When shopping for holiday apparel, opt for pieces that can be worn throughout the season, rather than just for a single event. Traditional colours like red, green, white, and gold should be on your radar, along with neutral shades such as grey and cream that beautifully harmonize with the darker hues. In terms of fabrics, popular choices include velvet, tulle, wool, wool-cotton blends, fleece, and flannel.

Sweaters and Sweater Dresses Sweaters are a versatile choice that go great with dark jeans, corduroy pants, or leggings. You can explore various sweater styles, such as turtlenecks, pullovers, crewnecks, and even more elegant options like shawl-collar sweaters. Festive patterns for this season include fair isle, plaid, cable knit, and textured knits. Girls For a more refined ensemble, consider a sweater dress in any of the above variations, paired with opaque tights. You can wear it on its own or layer it with a moto jacket or a cardigan. Boys An argyle v-neck sweater or a sweater vest is an excellent choice for a more classic look. These options can be paired with a neutral, solid-coloured dress shirt underneath. Plaids (Button-Ups, Skirts, Dresses)

If you've ever shopped for Christmas decorations, you've likely stumbled upon a plethora of plaid patterns, with the likes of red or green Clan Wallace tartans, Royal Stewart tartan, and buffalo plaid being particularly prominent. Girls Consider dressing your girls in plaid or tartan blouses, with the option of adding solid-coloured pinafores on top, or vice versa. Additionally, you can opt for a dress or skirt in these patterns, either wearing them alone or with a white faux fur vest to elevate the look. Boys A buttoned-up plaid or tartan flannel shirt is a great staple. For added flair, throw on a shawl-collar cardigan or a solid-coloured sweater vest. Velvet and Tulle (Dresses and Blazers)

Velvet and tulle fabrics exude a luxurious appeal, rendering them ideal choices for more formal photography. Girls Consider a red or green velvet dress, either in a plain design, or with smocked tiers, collars, or lantern sleeves. Tulle dresses can also be enhanced with red or gold sequin embellishments, sash belts, and velvet cardigans. Boys Opting for a red or green velvet blazer is a festive and elegant choice. Styling them with either plaid or tartan trousers in a matching shade or dark corduroy pants will create a refined ensemble. You can shop for these pieces at The Gap, Old Navy, and H&M. Santa Claus will be visiting a CF shopping centre near you until December 24th, giving you ample time to prepare the perfect outfit!