Updated October 2026 · By the AlohaClothes team, a family-owned shop on Maui since 1998

Searches for "Christmas Hawaiian shirt" climbed from about 2,900 a month in October 2025 to 14,800 in December, according to Google Ads keyword data. Wait until December and you're shopping what's left. As of early October, several of the shirts below are already down to one or two in some sizes.

So this is the short list we'd hand a friend now. It's eight shirts from our shop on Maui, with real prices and sizes and an honest note on who should skip each one.

Our picks at a glance

How we picked

• Sales. Units sold on AlohaClothes.com from October 2025 through mid-January 2026. Online sales only.
• Stock. Every pick was in stock in early October 2026, though some sizes are thin.
• The label. We tell you where each shirt is made. If made in Hawaii matters most to you, stick with RJC and Pacific Legend.
• Range. Something for the office party, the family photo, the lu'au and the guy who wants it to say Mele Kalikimaka in plain letters.

Last season's best seller: Bamboo Cay Peekaboo Santa

Embroidered · 70% modal, 30% polyester · S to 4X

Bamboo Cay Peekaboo Santa Embroidered Shirt

Tomato red or black.

From $132See the shirt

Santa peeks out of the chest pocket, stitched in more than 115,000 stitches of embroidery. The rest of the shirt is a solid color, so it looks dressed up rather than loud. It sold more units online last season than any other Christmas shirt we carry. The modal blend is soft and drapes well.

Skip it if you want made in Hawaii or you're shopping under $100. It's the most expensive shirt on this list.

Best made in Hawaii: RJC Santa's Christmas List

100% cotton · made in Hawaii by RJC · S to 4X

Santa's Christmas List Men's Hawaiian Shirt

Navy or red. Matched pocket, coconut buttons.

From $60See the shirt

Santa checking his list twice, island style. RJC has made aloha wear in Hawaii since 1953, and this is a real aloha shirt underneath the holiday print: 100% cotton with a pocket matched to the print. It washes on cold, so you can wear it to three parties without a trip to the dry cleaner.

Skip it if you want something subtle. The print covers the whole shirt.

Best under $60: RJC Christmas Longboard Santa

100% cotton · made in Hawaii by RJC · M to 2X

Christmas Longboard Santa Men's Hawaiian Shirt

Navy or red.

From $57See the shirt

Santa hanging ten on a longboard. It's the same RJC cotton and made in Hawaii, and it's the least expensive men's shirt on this list. It's an easy gift for the surfer in the family.

Skip it if you need a small or a 3X and up. This one only comes in medium to 2X.

Best for the office party: Bamboo Cay Santa's Catch of the Day

Embroidered · 70% modal, 30% rayon · S to 3X

Santa's Catch of the Day Embroidered Shirt

Navy or black.

From $77See the shirt

Santa reels in a big one in embroidery on a navy or black shirt. From across the room it reads as a dark camp shirt. Up close it's clearly Christmas. That's a good balance for a party where your boss is also there. For a different design at a similar price, look at the Bamboo Cay Shining Star.

Skip it if you want a big, bright holiday print. This one is meant to be quiet.

Best if you want it to say Mele Kalikimaka: Go Barefoot Surfing Santa

Embroidered · 75% rayon, 25% polyester · made in USA · S to 4X

Surfing Santa Mele Kalikimaka Go Barefoot

Black or cream.

From $88See the shirt

A surfing Santa and "Mele Kalikimaka," which is Merry Christmas in Hawaiian, embroidered on the shirt. Go Barefoot makes it in the USA in a rayon blend with a peached finish, which gives the fabric a soft, brushed feel.

Skip it if you want made in Hawaii. Go Barefoot is made in the USA, but not in Hawaii.

Best for women: RJC Christmas in Hawaii Camp Shirt

100% cotton · made in Hawaii by RJC · XS to 3X Plus

Christmas in Hawaii Women's Camp Shirt

Red or navy. Bust darts, coconut buttons.

From $55See the shirt

Palm trees, Santa and island cheer, cut for a woman's frame with bust darts and a relaxed camp shape. It's cotton and made in Hawaii, in sizes up to 3X Plus. Our women's Hawaiian shirt guide explains how camp shirts fit compared with blouses.

Skip it if you'd rather skip Santa altogether. See the next pick.

Best for women who want festive without Santa: RJC Monstera Christmas Red Blouse

100% rayon · custom made in Hawaii · S to 3X Plus

Monstera Christmas Red Peasant Blouse

Red monstera leaves.

From $49See the shirt

No Santa and no snowflakes, just red monstera leaves on a soft rayon peasant blouse. It looks right at Christmas dinner and still works in March. It's custom made in Hawaii by RJC.

Skip it if you want to throw it in the washer. Rayon needs a cold hand wash and no dryer.

Best for keiki: RJC Boy's Christmas Santa 2-Piece Set

100% cotton · made in Hawaii by RJC · 6 months to 5T

Boy's Christmas Hawaiian Santa 2-Piece Set

Shirt and shorts. Snowman Red, Tapa Red or Tapa Blue.

From $46.99See the shirt

A matching shirt and shorts in a Christmas print, made in Hawaii in cotton that can take a holiday lu'au. As of early October, the Snowman Red colorway is in stock in every size from 6 months to 5T. Our kids' Hawaiian shirt guide covers sizing.

Skip it if your keiki is bigger than 5T. This set stops there.

What do people wear for Christmas in Hawaii?

Mostly aloha shirts. It's warm here in December, so holiday parties, church and family lu'au follow the same aloha attire as the rest of the year, just in more red and green. Men wear an aloha shirt with slacks or shorts. Women wear a camp shirt, a blouse or a dress. A Christmas print is simply the festive version, and on the mainland it does the same job as an ugly Christmas sweater without the sweat. Our aloha attire guide covers the dress code in more detail.

Printed or embroidered: which is better?

Printed shirts, like the RJC and Pacific Legend Santa prints, put the design across the whole shirt. They're louder and cost less, and cotton ones go in the washer. Embroidered shirts, like Bamboo Cay and Go Barefoot, are a solid shirt with the design stitched on. They're quieter, look dressier and cost more. Pick printed for a lu'au or a family photo. Pick embroidered for the office or a nice dinner.

How do you match the whole family for Christmas?

Start with one print that comes in every size you need. Pacific Legend's Santa's Hawaiian Christmas Vacation print is made in Hawaii in cotton and comes as a men's shirt (S to 4X, from $64), a boy's 2-piece set (from $37.99) and a girl's dress (from $35.99). RJC's Christmas in Hawaii print comes in men's and women's cuts. Our matching family Christmas collection groups these sets together, and the matching family outfits guide explains how to match without looking like a uniform.

When should you order a Christmas Hawaiian shirt?

Earlier than you think. Demand peaks in late November and December, and that's when sizes sell out. Free US shipping (code FREE) arrives 3 to 5 business days after your order is processed. FedEx 2-Day is $29.99 to the mainland and $49.99 within Hawaii. We ship from Maui Monday through Friday, and you can return within 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

What does Mele Kalikimaka mean?

It's "Merry Christmas" in Hawaiian.

Can you wear a Hawaiian shirt to a Christmas party?

Yes. In Hawaii it's normal holiday party wear. On the mainland, a Christmas aloha shirt is a fun warm-weather alternative to an ugly sweater. For an office party, an embroidered shirt on a solid background is the safest choice.

Are your Hawaiian Christmas shirts made in Hawaii?

Our RJC and Pacific Legend Christmas shirts are made in Hawaii. Go Barefoot is made in the USA, but not in Hawaii.

Do you have Christmas Hawaiian shirts for women and kids?

Yes. There are women's camp shirts and blouses up to 3X Plus, boys' 2-piece sets from 6 months, and girls' dresses. See the women's and kids' Christmas collections.

How do I wash a Christmas Hawaiian shirt?

Wash cotton on cold and gentle. Hand wash rayon and modal blends in cold water and hang them to dry. Turn embroidered shirts inside out first. Our care guide has the details.