Children don't just want to play with action figures and princess dolls, they want to be them too. Not only is dressing up great fun, it also serves an important purpose in your child's development. Donning a costume helps toddlers and young children act out new roles and rehearse real-life situations, which in turn plays a huge part in their social development.  

For babies, who have not yet learned to recognise differences in the way people dress, it's more a case of looking gorgeous for the camera. And there will be plenty of fantastic photo opportunities this Christmas if you choose one of the cute-as-pie costumes from our round-up of the best.

You can’t really call it Christmas unless somebody dons a Santa costume, and there will be plenty of "Ho, ho, ho’s" from friends and relatives when they get a load of your little poppet in full-on Father Christmas mode.

Just don’t expect this little Father Christmas to give out gifts – he’s much more likely to want to receive them!

Christmas pudding costume: Mothercare, £15-16

If you’re anything like us, you may well call your sproglet a 'Little pudding' as a term of endearment. Actually, if you are anything like us, you’re more likely to say: 'My squashy little plumptious pudding with the squidgy widdle hamster cheeky-weeks!'

Needless to say, your baby will look good enough to eat in this delectably soft plum pudding costume from Mothercare.

Tinkerbell Fairy Costume: Disney Store, £20

Let your little girl be the fairy on top of the Christmas tree!

What little girl doesn't imagine growing up to become a princess, or a fairy? This Tinkerbell costume allows them to live out their fantasies, and imagine they can fly to Neverland. 

Over the soft velour and satin, leaf-like organza layers, glittery flourishes, sequins and bows bring a Pixie Hollow sparkle to this outfit, while a pair of twinkling wings add a real fairy flourish.

Reindeer outfit: Mothercare, £15-16

Where would Santa be without his trusty reindeer guiding his sleigh? This costume, complete with antlers, is perfect for dressing your little one up as Santa's favourite companion, and keeping them snug and warm at the same time.

We can't resist this super-soft plush and cotton outfit: if you have two little ones why not dress one up as Santa and one as Rudolph to double the 'oohs' and 'aahs' their adorable outfits receive?!

Snowman Outfit: Next, £13

It's impossible not to see a snowman without singing in your head like Aled Jones ('We're walking in the air!') Anyway. 

Whether you're a fan of the classic film, or just like to see your little ones all wrapped up, you’ll feel far from frosty when you see your little one in this heart-warming snowman outfit.

This outfit is perfect for pretend snowball fights, Christmas parties, and hiding in the snow!

Mickey Mouse Outfit: Disney Store, £25

If your kids are Playhouse Disney fans, they won't be able to resist dressing up like their favourite festive pal: Mickey Mouse! And with Mickey's Christmas songs and shows popular at this time of year, he's a festive character they're sure to relate to!

This fantastic Mickey Mouse Plush Costume comes in soft black velour, the all-in-one velcro fastening outfit brings Mickey to life at any party. With his red shorts and a hood featuring Mickey's eyes and nose, this Mickey Mouse costume really is a unique

Pirate Captain Outfit: ELC, £15

OK, so there's no such thing as a Christmas pirate. But with the new Pirates of the Carribean film out next year it's definitely topical!

Little boys (and little girls!) love stories of pirates and buried treasure. Let them live out their fantasies in this very cool pirate outfit, complete with hat and cutless!

Last Modified: 20/11/2008