I blame Olan Mills for my strong opposition to studio shots. But my mom isn’t off the hook either. She’s the one who forced us to take Christmas photos there one year. And while I loved my sister, I didn’t exactly like awkwardly posing with her while the photographer kept telling us to “act like we liked each other.” The pictures turned out no better than the ones of us as toddlers crying on Santa’s lap.
That elusive perfect family Christmas photo seems to exist only on other people’s social media accounts. Between the crying or fighting kids, the clothes you try not to get dirty (but do anyway), and the unnatural hand placements and head tilts, the stress of it all shows up in those forced smiles. If studio shots don’t click with you either, try these 16 fun Christmas family photo ideas guaranteed to bring on the smiles.
These Photos Will Become a Few of Your Favorite Things
1. (Twinkle) Lights, Camera, Action – Forget about the “stand still and pose” shots. Instead, snap photos of your family in action—baking cookies, picking out or decorating the tree, or putting up lights outside. Lean into your child’s need to move around, and take photos of your family doing what you do best: hanging out together and making memories!
2. All Signs Point to Christmas – Santa Stops Here. Joy. For Unto Us a Child Is Born. Grab one of those Christmas signs you already have and let that sign be the centerpiece of your family photo. In my favorite photo, our youngest daughter holds the sign that says “I ate all of Santa’s cookies,” while the rest of us acted like we were surprised (my husband), were angry (me!), or found it funny (her sister).
3. Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in Their Heads – Put those Christmas PJs on your kids. Pop on Santa hats, tuck them into bed, and slip a candy cane in their hands. Ask them to pretend to be asleep and then wide awake while you take photos of what the “Night Before Christmas” looks like around your house.
4. Don We Now Our Ugly Sweater – Fa, la, la, la yourselves into ugly Christmas sweaters, Santa hats with Yoda ears, or matching Rudolph noses. Or maybe your little one (or you!) would make the perfect Cindy Lou Who. Go ahead and dress the part before taking a few photos.
5. I Saw Mommy Kissing, Well, Daddy – Snap a photo of you and your husband sharing a smooch under the mistletoe. With the rest of the family, create a scene (literally!). Older kids can act embarrassed or “ew, gross!” Little ones can be opening a present at your feet, taking toys out of a stocking, or eating Christmas cookies. Baby on the way? Hold a sonogram photo while you kiss.
Fun Christmas Family Photo Ideas with Little Ones
6. Rolling Into the Holidays – Decorate your child’s wagon, toy pedal car, or tricycle with lights, a wreath, or a little Christmas tree. Put your child behind the wheel for a pint-sized version of Christmas.
7. Tell Me a Christmas Story – Gather up on the couch, around the fireplace, or in bed to read a classic Christmas story, or crack open the Bible for the original one!
8. Letters to Santa – Give your children paper and crayons to write letters to Santa Claus. Plan ahead and make sure the Elf on the Shelf moved the night before to be a part of the photo!
9. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Does your family have a special Christmas Eve tradition? Or a familiar holiday routine? Take photos of your family doing that!
10. Get Ginger With It – Decorate a gingerbread house together and take photos while you’re doing it. Or make gingerbread men (and women, and boys and girls!).
Take It Outside
11. Over the River and Through the Woods – Forget the river and head straight to the woods. Wear Christmas-colored hats or scarves and strike a pose by some evergreen trees. Or do double duty by heading to a Christmas tree farm for photos and your family’s tree.
12. It’s a Marshmallow (and Bubble) World – Give everyone a cup of cocoa topped with marshmallows while you pretend to be enjoying a picnic outside in the snow. No snow? Give your child bubbles to blow instead of cocoa to hold.
First Christmas Family of 3
13. Silent Night – Take photos right after bath time when your little one is warm and snuggly. Put those sweet little tootsies in footed pajamas and cozy up as a family in the nursery. Baby feeling a little fussy? Why not keep it real by holding a “Silent Night” sign?
14. Hang Up – Snap a photo or two of your little family hanging up a “Baby’s First Christmas” ornament on your tree.
Animal House
15. Bows and Bow-Wows – Fun Christmas family photo ideas shouldn’t leave out your non-human members who call you Momma. Keep it simple by adding a large red bow to your dog’s collar or turn your pooch into Santa Paws with a classic red hat.
16. The Purfect Poses – Cats in the house? Set out Santa’s Christmas cookies and milk and see if your feline tries to swipe a taste of his cookies or be naughty and drink his milk while the rest of the family poses for the photo.
What fun Christmas family photo ideas do you plan to use this year?
