If the old adage is to be believed, it’s all slugs and snails and puppy dogs’ tails when it comes to little boys, and admittedly it can sometimes seem that way. But we find that with a little light coaxing, especially around Christmas-time, when the threat of lumps of coal in their stocking can work wonders, even the most hardened devotees of dirt and muck can be encouraged to dress up. After all, even the smallest gents deserve to feel dapper during the party season, and that’s where our list of the best boys’ Christmas jumpers comes in.
Repress, if you can, the memory of itchy hand-knitted sweaters of yore, one for you and each of your siblings (thanks Grandma!) and get on board with the idea of the new and improved, uber-cool kids’ Christmas jumper. These days, there’s something for all ages and pretty much any interest, whether they’re too young to protest being squeezed into an unbearably cute patterned or slogan jumper, or are a little older and have a very strong idea of what they like — character Christmas jumpers from Paw Patrol, Pokemon, Minions and more represent 2017’s biggest hits, while adorable reindeer, penguins and puddings star on sweaters for littler celebrants.
Of course, just because we’ve listed these jumpers as being for boys, doesn’t mean that should stop you if your little girl digs Marshall, Rubble and Chase, or if you just think she’d like supremely cute in a traditional fair-isle emblazoned with penguins. Whatever your child is into, all you have to do is keep an eye on the composition and size range, both of which we’ve handily listed below, to see if they’re suitable for your little one.
In cheerful mustard yellow with pale blue accents, this adorable jumper shucks the expectations of the traditional Christmas jumper with its unexpected colour scheme, meaning it’s suitable for wear in cold weather even outside of the holiday season. The intarsia penguin fair isle design is also a really nice change from the standard offerings, and the button-fastening neck makes it easy to get on and off smaller children. The composition boasts just enough wool to keep things cosy, but cuts out the itch factor with an abundance of cotton. For versatility, comfort and sheer cuteness, it’s our number one.
The littlest member of your brood will look sweet as can be in this fisherman-style jumper from Mamas and Papas. With its tactile Christmas pudding applique and ‘little pudding’ slogan embroidered on a classic-look beige knit, it’s got a very cute high-end look, and its 100% cotton construction means that they’ll be cool and comfortable, no itching or overheating. The neckline is buttoned at the back for an uncluttered look that also means it’s easier to take the jumper off when they start to fuss, a must when clothes shopping for babies or toddlers!
This ultra-Christmassy sweatshirt features cheerful red baseball-style sleeves and ribbing, with a cute Paw Patrol image on the front showing canine heroes Chase, Marshall and Rubble in all their festive finery. While there’s no wool to be found here — understandably for the incredibly low price, it’s all polyester — the soft-feel lining is said to be surprisingly warm twinned with a long-sleeved t-shirt, and beats acrylic for comfort, so they can wear it for as long as they please. Certainly not a long-lasting investment, but for school Christmas jumper days and lazy Sundays, it’s a winner.
Another adorable Nordic-style jumper that’ll ensure your little man is best dressed at playgroup, this John Lewis offering is a high-quality and beautifully designed option for Christmas dressing. Well-dressed reindeer parade around the yoke, while the rest of the body and sleeves are a rich blue topped off with just the right amount of pattern to look festive rather than fussy. Just like on our Marks and Spencer pick, the asymmetric button neck makes for quick and easy dressing and changing, and the 100% cotton jumper keeps them cosy without overheating.
If your child gets itchy, agitated and hot in a jumper when hanging out indoors, but still wants to join in the festive fun, this long-sleeved top featuring Dave the mischievous minion is sure to hit the spot. The 100% cotton long-sleeved t-shirt is undeniably festive, with cheeky Dave in his santa hat and that perfect bright red shade that just screams Christmas. Thanks to its pure, soft construction it’s comfy enough to wear alone next to skin as a t-shirt, or layered up on colder days under a hoodie, good news for warm climates and cold ones alike.
This Star Wars Christmas jumper might be on the dark side, but its design is deceptively festive. Featuring Darth Vader with a santa hat over his trademark helmet, a starry sky littered with TIE fighters, and the slogan “Join the Merry Side”, it’s a traditional knitted jumper with a twist that all those Star Wars-obsessed kids out there will be excited to don. Unlike many other character jumpers, the design is knitted in rather than printed, so it’s long-lasting enough to reappear year after year, but still for a budget price. Great stuff.
Strictly speaking, this is a sweatshirt, not a jumper, but that doesn’t make it any less Christmassy! This Nintendo-themed take on the “ugly Christmas sweater” is anything but, featuring a cheerful Pikachu, Christmas trees adorned with pokeballs, and faux-stitched patterns in red and white. It comes in generic men’s sizes small to extra large, so it’s a good bet for older boys who wouldn’t be seen dead in a knitted number, but most importantly, for anyone with an enduring love of those cute little pocket monsters.
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You've got your little one suited and booted for the Christmas family photo, so what's left? Check out our list of the best Christmas gifts for 4 year olds to round up any last-minute winners.
