15 unique family Christmas photo ideas to liven up your holiday card
Oh, the dreaded family Christmas photo — we meet again.
If you haven’t already sent out your annual Christmas cards, then you’re probably starting to feel the pressure with just two weeks remaining until Christmas Day.
But good things come to those who wait, right?
Do you want a traditional family photo? A themed family photo? Or a funny family photo?
Of course, you can always do what “Today” host Jenna Bush Hager does with her annual holiday card — a traditional photo on the front and a funny photo on the back.
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong way to go about your holiday card.
But if you need some unique and festive family Christmas photo ideas, then we’ve got you covered!
15. Christmas at the beach
If you don’t see snow falling outside your window, then maybe a winter-themed family photo isn’t the best idea this year.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little winter fun in the sand.
So, grab your sled, find a small Christmas tree and bring some presents to the beach for this holiday photo idea.
It might look a little weird putting a Christmas tree in the sand, but anyone who sees what you’re doing will think you’re a genius.
You can take barefoot pictures in the sand next to the tree or have a mini photoshoot while your kids open some of their presents.
Then again, you could always take pictures pulling your kids through the sand in their sled. As long as the kids are smiling, you’ll have an awesome family photo and a new unlocked memory.
14. Do you want to build a snowman?
Speaking of unlocking new memories with the kids, this family photo doubles as a family activity!
First, you’ll need to channel your inner Elsa and build a snowman with the kids. Don’t worry, they can do all the hard work while you delegate and direct.
Once the snowman is ready, you have yourself the perfect photo companion!
If you have several kids, try making it into a contest and have everyone, including you, build their own version of a snowman.
Once ready, have everyone stand next to their snowman and take the picture!
For the holiday card, have the recipients text you who they thought built the best snowman. Winner gets a prize, but I’ll let you decide what that prize is!
13. Winter activities with the family
Piggybacking off the last idea, you can turn any winter activity into a fun holiday family photo — all you need is a camera!
Sledding is always a popular option because you can either do a still photo or an action photo, if your family is feeling adventurous.
Making snow angels, ice skating, hiking with snowshoes and even shoveling the driveway can also make for a good photo moment.
Or, similar to the snowman, you could build a snow igloo with the kids and use it as a backdrop to your picture. If it’s big enough, you can even take the picture from inside!
Though it might be a little hard to get a good picture, an action shot from your annual snowball fight or backyard Winter Olympics would also work.
There’s no better way to capture what your family’s all about than to catch them in their natural habitat — whatever it is that they enjoy!
12. Having fun with wrapping paper
You’ve probably seen this trend on social media, but maybe you haven’t.
Either way, it’s an easy DIY family Christmas photo idea that involves four things: wrapping paper, scissors, a camera and your family!
First, tape a piece of wrapping paper from one side of a doorway (any doorway is fine) to the other side.
Then, cut a hole in the middle as if you punched your hand through it. Make sure it’s wide enough to fit your head because this is where you’ll smile!
If you have an extra wide doorway, carefully cut several holes into the paper so everyone can join in on the same photo.
Otherwise, take individual photos and use a basic editing software, such as Canva, to bring them all together.
11. ‘Tis the season in a box
Speaking of social media trends, none are hotter right now than the viral “in the box” photo trend.
It’s so popular that even the “Good Morning America” crew joined in on the fun. And it turned out spectacular!
All you’ll need is a box big enough to fit someone in, some decorations and a camera. The rest can be done with basic editing.
To give the box character, hang a combination of Christmas lights, tinsel, decorative garland and any other Christmas decorations you have in and around the box.
Once you have all the photos, crop them down to remove any background behind the box and use an editing software to bring them together.
The end product should look like the iconic Brady Bunch photo, but more festive and with a personal touch. Plus, you can add as many photos as you’d like!
10. Box of Christmas ornaments
This works best for a couple or party of two, but you can expand beyond that if you have a longer box.
First, make sure the box is big enough to fit two heads in. Start by cutting a half-circle into one side of the box big enough to fit a neck through.
Do the same thing on the opposite side of the box, but on the other end.
All you need to do is position one another’s heads inside the box, fill the rest of the box with ornaments and smile!
Once you have the perfect shot, snap a close-up photo and crop out everything but the box. Voila!
If you have more than two people but don’t have a long enough box, do it two people at a time and use an editing software to bring all the photos together.
9. Your favorite Christmas movie
We all have that one movie our families watch every time Christmas rolls around.
It might be “Elf” for some and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” for others. Either way, why not use it as a theme for this year’s family Christmas photo?
You don’t have to go all-out with the idea (like the photos below), especially if you don’t have the editing skills to make it happen, but that’s not necessary.
It could be as easy as dressing as your favorite characters from that movie and taking a photo by the Christmas tree with your dad’s old flip phone.
And remember: it doesn’t have to be Christmas-related.
Jenna Bush Hager and her husband, Henry Chase Hager, dressed up in an 18th century-inspired outfit — so dress up as whoever you want!
8. I guess the kids were naughty this year
You’ll need a couple of kids who are willing to cooperate, but it can be done!
Start by laying a large white piece of paper on the ground to be used as the backdrop. A white blanket would work too.
Then, tape your child down to the paper as if they’ve been captured and take an aerial photo.
Next, take a photo of you and your significant other sitting on the couch and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa.
As for the photos of your kids, use a basic editing software to give the photo a framed edge, as if it were going on your wall.
Finally, add the edited photos to the photo of you and your significant other to make it look like they’re framed to the wall.
7. All tied up this Christmas
If you liked that idea, then let’s reverse the roles and change the culprit.
Again, you’ll need kids who are ready to cooperate, but it’ll make for the perfect family Christmas photo.
First, set up two chairs back-to-back in front of the Christmas tree. Throw some Christmas lights around you and your significant other — as if you’re tied up — and sit suspiciously in the chairs.
Then, have the kids huddle around you as if they’re the ones who tied you up. Have them hold signs that say, “Buy 1 Get 1 Free,” or, “For Sale,” to add to the humor.
If you have a newborn, add a small box with a sign that reads, “Return to Santa,” and put your little one there.
6. Picked out the Christmas tree!
If your child has a cozy coupe or toy car, then this idea could be a hit this year!
Just tie a small decorative tree to the top of the toy car and let your little one drive. They’re in charge of the tree this year!
Add Christmas lights around the car to bring color to the photo and add a “Happy Holidays” or “To the North Pole” sign to the side of the car for added effect.
You can also have a little fun with the scene by making it look as if the car broke down and your child is pushing the car back home.
If you don’t have a cozy coupe or toy car, then put the small tree on a wagon and have your child pull that instead.
Either way, this is a photo that can be taken indoors or outdoors and can make for a perfect “baby’s first Christmas” photo.
5. Squishy cheeks for baby’s first Christmas
Speaking of a baby’s first Christmas, why not show off your little one’s squishy cheeks for this year’s holiday card?
It might take a couple of tries before getting the perfect photo, but it’s worth the effort!
Just set up a camera in front of your baby and have you and your significant other kiss your baby’s cheeks at the same time. That’s it!
If you’re feeling ambitious, try getting a similar photo while you or your significant other holds the baby over their shoulder.
Whoever’s holding the baby can still turn their head enough to kiss the chubby cheeks, so it won’t take much to get the perfect shot!
If that doesn’t work, go back to Plan A and set the camera up on a table or on the floor.
4. A handful of snow kisses
Using real snow would be great, but it probably won’t be soft enough to get the effect we’re going for.
With that said, buy some fake snow at the store and give each of your kids a handful and let them blow it towards a camera.
It makes a good photo moment, but only if you can get all the kids to do it at the same time.
A little pro tip: take as many photos as you can to capture each and every moment.
You’ll not only have the action shot, but you’ll have some funny photos while your kids inhale and exhale.
Another pro tip: take the photo in front of a dark background to contrast the fake snow. If not, it might ruin the effect and ruin the action shot.
3. Making a mess with Christmas cookies
Decorating Christmas cookies is already a popular Christmas tradition, so why not kill two birds with one stone this holiday season?
Of course, you’ll want to wait until the last cookie is decorated because that’s when the kitchen is the dirtiest.
You don’t need to change your clothes or wipe the frosting off your child’s face — just snap the photo and you’re good to go!
If you want to take it one step further, create a scene as if a food fight just broke out and everyone’s chucking cookies at each other.
Obviously, no one’s actually chucking cookies at anyone, but no one has to know that!
And if you like the idea but already baked Christmas cookies, it’s easy to throw a little flour on the counter and create an organized mess that can be cleaned up in a few minutes.
2. A Christmas story
What Christmas-themed bedtime stories are you reading to your kids this holiday season?
If they (or you) have a favorite story this time of year, this is the perfect way to show it off while also knocking out a few family Christmas photos.
All you’ll need is a festive outfit for your little one and the book of choice. Flip it to their (or your) favorite page and snap the photo. That’s it!
If you don’t have a favorite book, you can always add a handwritten note or use a letterboard to write a message next to the baby.
For example, it could read, “Santa Claus, you can have the cookies, but please leave the milk!”
If not a book or note, then just give them a present and let them be cute with it. You’ll be surprised at how many adorable photos you end up with if you just start snapping away.
1. Late to the party? Send an e-card with JibJab!
Anyone who grew up in the early 2000s knows what JibJab is. What you might not know is that it’s still popular even two decades later!
All you need is a headshot of each of your family members. Pick a JibJab template, upload the photos and wait for it to download.
And be ready to laugh your butt off!
If not a JibJab, then e-cards in general make for the perfect last-minute holiday card. Since they can be sent electronically, you can bypass the postal office completely.
An e-card is also the most affordable option because you won’t need to print anything. You can literally have your family Christmas photos taken and sent in mere minutes!
Whether you’re an early bird who likes to take holiday family photos in November or a procrastinator who handles it last-minute, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
