The best Christmas pajamas for getting in the holiday spirit, from classic flannel to candy cane stripes

Best overall: Abercrombie & Fitch Flannel Sleep Set

I was already a big fan of A&F's sweatpants, so it's no surprise that another one of their best-selling loungewear items — the flannel fleece pant and shirt — hits all the right cozy marks for me. This set is cloud soft, lightweight, and roomy. (And oddly flattering? The stretchy elastic waistband lands right below the belly button.)

The limited edition skiing puppy pattern is adorable, but my sloppy-eating self tends to avoid white. So instead I chose the nostalgic red plaid set, which has the benefit of being seasonally appropriate throughout the whole winter while still feeling festive.

The fabric breakdown is 52% cotton and 48% viscose. While I generally prefer 100% cotton for breathability, this uber-soft blend is warm but doesn't overheat me. I can wear these to run outside with the dog first thing in the morning. These PJs really feel lighter than air, and I find myself happily wearing them all day.

• Find more Abercrombie Sleep Pants in men's sizing.
  

Best budget Christmas pajamas: Old Navy Printed Flannel Pajama Pant Set

When you buy matching sets for the whole fam, it can easily become a several hundred dollar affair. Thankfully, Old Navy — one of the brands that popularized the tradition in the first place — keeps it cute and accessible with 18 bright holiday patterns, available in men's, women's, and gender-neutral children sizes. Each piece costs around $50 at full price, but they're almost always on sale. The 100% cotton flannel PJs are very soft, colorful, and size-inclusive.

Best size-inclusive: Lands' End Flannel Pajama Top and Sleep Pants

For inclusive sizing and 100% cotton garments, Lands' End is that girl. Their flannel long-sleeve PJs, which come in nine wintery patterns, are unsurprisingly excellent. I opted for the lush, forest-green "Light Emerald" pattern, which is dotted with snow-capped fir trees.

Wearing them around my apartment and throughout the night, I appreciated their substantial warmth, which didn't feel heavy or suffocating (thank you, cotton!). The wide legs and slightly oversized fit leaves lots of space to bloat from too much eggnog.

If you're looking for the softest PJs, look elsewhere: These are soft, but not dream-like. They have a slight stiffness to them that I actually appreciate — I feel pretty confident they're durable enough to hold up after a decade or two of washing and drying (as most Lands' End fabrics do).

Best Christmas pajamas for gifting: Eberjey Gisele Printed Long PJ Set

Eberjey has built its reputation on high-quality, luxe loungewear that truly feels worth the splurge. It makes some of the best women's pajamas and best silk pajamas our style editors have tested.

Former editor Remi Rosmarin tried the Gisele set and it "totally changed [her] perspective on fancy pajamas." The brand has a gorgeous selection of stylish holiday prints, including one for Hanukkah, and you can monogram a set for $15 extra. We can't think of a cozier gift.

"The lightweight modal jersey fabric feels like a second skin — it's silky smooth and drapes elegantly over your body for a fit that's cozy and flattering. The button-up front, breast pocket, and contrast piping give these pajamas a timeless look that make these just as good for lounging around the house as for sleeping," she writes.

Read more in our full Eberjey pajamas review.

Best print variety: Hanna Andersson Matching Family Pajamas

Hanna Andersson has built their cult-following around matching sets, so I'm not surprised that Hanna Andersson makes it so easy to order high-quality, adorable Christmas pajamas for the whole family.

Choose your favorite holiday print (there are over 55) and simply select sizing for each family member (including dogs!). Once you click on the theme or design you like, you can order everything from the same page, thus saving you the extra clicks. It boasts the widest selection of Christmas patterns — with characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Bluey, Star Wars, and Elf.

For 100% organic cotton, opt for the pajamas labeled "HannaJams," but for something more buttery smooth and almost cooling to the touch, there's "HannaSoft," a blend of Lyocell and Spandex. I wore candy cane-striped, "HannaSoft" long-sleeved pajamas (which are part of the brand's Grinch collection) pretty much around the clock for a week, and I never wanted to take them off. They are really, really soft and breezy.

Best matching Christmas pajamas for families: Burt's Bees Baby

For newborn, dogs, adults, tweens, everyone in else in your family, Burt's Bees Baby is the spot for adorable family Christmas PJs for all sizes. Each set is made of organic cotton and a small amount of Spandex (between 2-3%) for added stretch and comfort. All designed to be breathable and gentle on sensitive skin, the PJs for tots and toddlers come in snug one pieces, while children and adults get two loose-fitting pieces. Pups get jaunty little bandanas.

Best luxury Christmas pajamas: Printfresh Eco Satin Wildest Dreams Set

The Holiday Shop at Printfresh is aglow with detailed patterns that take the (fruit)cake. Its Eco Satin Wildest Dreams Set comes in red and green gingerbread patterns and is made with a soft, lightweight viscose fabric that drapes beautifully. These pajamas have an elevated feel that is matched, of course, with an elevated price ($198).

Each set can monogrammed for an extra $20, and the size range is truly inclusive. There are also Christmas nightgowns made with 100% organic cotton poplin, including one with my personal favorite pattern: Holiday Hens (chubby chickens wrapped in green scarves and fir wreaths — what could be cuter?).

Executive editor Sally Kaplan tried Printfresh pajamas herself, and in doing so coined a new term for the loungewear space. "I don't know if there's such a thing as 'formal pjs,' but this set does feel polished and luxurious — definitely something I'd take on a vacation with friends," says Sally.

Best lightweight Christmas pajamas: Marks & Spencer Pure Cotton Family Pyjama Set

The British are famously good at Christmas (at least if Love Actually is to be believed) so I am not surprised that the U.K.-based department store Marks & Spencer (whose triangle sandwiches I adore) makes the most delightfully jolly "pyjama" set I tested — and also the most breathable.

These lightweight, 100% cotton PJs are decorated with treats you might find on a Christmas table across the pond (like mince pies), as well as dancing candy canes, stars, cranberries, piglets, and Brussels sprouts. Beyond being adorable, the fabric is thin and stretchy, making the set actually comfortable for sleeping and moving in.

The long-sleeved top with cuffed, jogger-esque bottoms offer a different silhouette than the standard button down, wide-legged sets. Wearing them made me feel like a toddler (in the best way). These Christmas "pyjamas" ship from the U.K., so order early to give yourself enough time to wrap them.

Best Christmas onesie: Fabletics Cozy Fleece Hooded Onesie

Fabletic's supremely cozy hooded onesies come in five holiday patterns — including Deep Navy Dreidel! — in deliciously soft, plush fleece made of 58% recycled polyester and 42% cotton that envelops you in warmth. With a relaxed fit and multiple pockets, including a designated cellphone pocket, they're the perfect uniform for battling winter bleakness, as well as taking those obligatory family photos.

• Find more Fabletics onesies in sizes for men and children.

Best Amazon Christmas pajamas: Ekouaer Christmas Family Matching Pajamas

Get a cozy outfit for the holidays practically overnight with Amazon's fast shipping. These festive, buttery smooth PJs come in over 20 jolly patterns, all available in kids, men, and women's sizes. Even as a solo purchase, the jammies are just really comfortable, and the designs are festive and loud in the best way (we're partial to the giant Santa heads). The elastic waistband, roomy fit, and stretchy fabric are practically made for holiday gluttony.