Christmas bedding for children: Which design is right – and what quality lasts?
Christmas bedding for children is usually bought in November – and by the second year at the latest, it becomes clear whether the choice was a good one. Two things decide this: whether the child still likes the motif after the third Advent, and whether the quality withstands the frequent washing that a child's bed inevitably entails. It cannot be answered in one go, because a three-year-old in a child's bed needs something different from a schoolchild in a youth bed.
What really matters with Christmas bedding for children
Four points determine whether a set works in the children's room – and they are interconnected.
The half-life of the motif. Gnomes, reindeer, and Santa Clauses are what children wish for. But they are also what can suddenly be "too babyish" on December 27th. Quiet designs with fir trees, stars, or a winter landscape, on the other hand, can remain until February without anyone taking offense.
The quality and thus the warmth. Fine flannel, melange flannel, and flannel are all brushed, retain body heat, and feel warm as soon as you get into bed. But they differ in weight, feel, and durability – and that is exactly what determines how many winters a set lasts.
The transition to the next size. Children's bedding in 100 × 135 cm fits in a child's bed, 135 × 200 cm is the size for a youth bed. Not every Christmas motif is available in both sizes. Those who know that the change is coming soon had better buy the larger set right away.
The care.
A child's bed is changed more often than a parent's bed. Printed motifs remain colorful for years at 40 °C; 60 °C is possible, but costs the brightness over many washes.The warm qualities compared
You will find all four qualities in our Christmas bedding. Here is how they differ:
| Quality | Property | Ideal for | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castell Fine Flannel | Brushed cotton on both sides, lighter than flannel, boldly printed motifs | Children who wish for a new favorite motif every year | from approx. €25.95 |
| biberna Fine Flannel | 100% cotton, made denser and heavier, colorfast over many washes | Sets that should last two to three winters and then still survive the sibling bed | from approx. €34.95 (children's size) |
| biberna Melange Flannel | Woven from differently colored yarns instead of printed, 100% cotton, particularly fluffy feel | Children for whom colorful prints are too busy – and parents who prefer something more valuable | from approx. €34.95 |
| Castell Polycotton Flannel | Flannel quality with a polyester content, dries quickly, hardly wrinkles | Beds that need to be changed frequently and at short notice | from approx. €24.95 |
Important for warmth: Melange flannel does not warm more than flannel, but is equally warm with a finer feel. We weave the melange flannel quality in our own weaving mill in Hamminkeln; the fine flannel sets are manufactured according to biberna specifications.
Which one is right for your child?
Your child is three to six and should shine on the first Advent. Then the motif wins, not the longevity. Take the Castell Fine Flannel Bedding Gnomes in Red (0030991). Strong red, clear figures, a price at which a change of motif next year does not hurt.
Your child already sleeps in a youth bed in 135 × 200 cm. Here the denser quality is worth it, because the set is intended to last several winters. The biberna Fine Flannel Bedding Gnomes in Storm Gray (0006733) is the compromise that even ten-year-olds still accept: Christmas yes, but in a muted color. Those who like it a bit more mature should opt for the Fine Flannel Christmas Bedding Owls in Fir (0347259). You can read more about this age transition in the post Children's Bedding 135x200: Which Motifs Are Right When the Child Grows Up?.
The motif should be allowed to remain all winter. Then the path leads away from the gnome and towards the quiet design: The Castell Fine Flannel Bedding Fir Tree in Gray (0030986) simply looks wintry instead of Christmassy after New Year's Eve and does not have to be taken down on January 2nd.
Your child sweats at night or the bed needs to be changed frequently. Then you need two sets to alternate. One of them can be wintery without a motif, such as the biberna Fine Flannel Children's Bedding Polar Bear in Dove Blue (0004648) from the Flannel Children's Bedding – this way the bed remains continuously warm, even if the Christmas set is currently in the machine. We explain why some children sweat under warm bedding in Child Sweats at Night: Which Children's Bedding Helps?.
What is often overlooked
The size determines the selection. Some of the Christmas designs are additionally available in 100 × 135 cm – such as the biberna Fine Flannel Children's Bedding Christmas in Dove Blue (0005173). The availability is stated for every item in the size selection. Those who find out in December that the desired motif only exists in 135 × 200 cm no longer have time to replan.
The pillowcase is part of the decision. For a child's bed, it is usually 40 × 60 cm or 40 × 80 cm, for a youth bed 80 × 80 cm. The sets contain the corresponding pillowcase – a look at the product selection saves the reordering.
Christmas motifs are seasonal goods. They are produced in limited quantities, and experience shows that the most popular designs are sold out by early December. Those who want to give the motif as a gift can find a set of bedding, matching fitted sheet, and pillowcases in two questions in the Gift Finder.
Durability depends on washing, not on the price. 40 °C, full laundry detergent without optical brighteners for colorful prints, no fabric softener – fabric softener settles on the brushed fibers and takes away exactly the fluffiness for which you bought fine flannel.
Shipping within Germany is always free, without a minimum order value.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you start using Christmas bedding for children?
Most families switch to the first Advent. Those who like the anticipation start at the end of November. You should order well in advance, as the most sought-after children's motifs are often sold out by early December.
Fine flannel or melange flannel – which is better for children?
Both are 100% cotton and equally warm. Fine flannel offers the colorful, clearly printed motifs that children wish for. Melange flannel is not printed, but woven from differently colored yarns, looks calmer and has the finer feel. You can find a larger selection in the Melange Flannel Bedding collection.
Are the Christmas motifs also available in children's size 100 × 135 cm?
Some of them, yes. Which sizes are available is stated directly in the selection for every item. The children's designs without a Christmas connection are consistently available in both sizes.
At what temperature should I wash printed children's bedding?
Fine Biber flannel and flannel withstand 60 °C. For printed motifs, 40 °C is sufficient and protects the colors over the years. Before the first use, you should wash the set once – after that it is softer and has fewer pills.
Does my child sweat under flannel qualities?
Cotton absorbs moisture and releases it again, which is why the bed remains breathable even with a warm feel. It becomes problematic rather in a heavily heated children's room: Then a lighter quality or a thinner blanket is the better adjustment than giving up on brushed bedding.
You can find an overview of all motifs and qualities in the Christmas Bedding collection; which designs work beyond December is explained in our post Christmas Bedding: Which One Stays All Winter?.