Christmas Costumes

Christmas in an Australian summer

A traditional Santa suit is designed for a northern winter and worn here in December heat. It is the single biggest practical consideration in this category.

Lightweight suits, short-sleeved versions and separates make an enormous difference for anyone who has to stay in costume for more than a few minutes. Beards in particular are warm, and a lighter-weight beard is worth seeking out.

Santa suits

The full suit is jacket, trousers, belt, boot covers, hat, beard and wig. Sets vary in what they include, and the beard is the piece most often sold separately — check before the day.

A padded belly is included in some suits and separate in others.

Elves and helpers

Elf costumes are cooler, quicker to put together, and work for the whole family. They also suit workplaces and school events where a full Santa would be too much.

Children's costumes

Reindeer, elf and Christmas character costumes for children are mostly soft separates and hooded tops, which are comfortable enough to keep on through a long lunch.

Nativity

School and church nativity plays need simple, quick-to-wear pieces, often for a large group. Tabard-style robes and headdresses go on over ordinary clothes and suit a whole class.

When to order

Demand builds through November, and Santa suits in the middle sizes are the first to go.