The holidays are a time for sharing Christmas cheer and memories. And there’s nothing quite like a holiday card to send Christmas wishes to loved ones and reflect on the joyful moments of the year.
Photo holiday cards are also a great way to give a quick update on your family, for example, revealing how much the kids have grown, introducing your adorable new puppy, or incorporating favorite family pastimes. Your card photos can also communicate your sense of style, sense of humor, and your own version of the Christmas spirit!
It can be challenging to come up with fresh, creative Christmas card picture ideas that capture your family’s personality every year. Whether it’s your first or 21st year sending one, these 30 Christmas card photo ideas will inspire you to create the perfect holiday card.
1. Cozy pajama shoot
There’s a reason why matching pajamas are one of the classic Christmas card family photo ideas. Create the ultimate cozy vibes holiday photo card with a pajama family photo shoot. Go with classic festive plaid PJs, a red-and-white Santa style, or even try a fun theme, like superheroes or Disney characters. Props like fluffy blankets and stuffed animals add to the coziness of the photoshoot.
2. Winter wonderland background
Nothing says the holiday season like a winter wonderland setting with a beautiful snow-covered landscape, evergreen trees galore, and—of course—sparkling Christmas lights. You can achieve this festive background with the help of a digital design platform like Photoshop or take advantage of the real thing by getting the perfect shot in a wintry outdoor destination.
3. Holiday-themed props
When you think of the holidays, what props and accessories come to mind? Perhaps a Santa hat, reindeer antlers, or “ugly” Christmas sweaters? Gather your favorite holiday-themed props to create a silly and sweet family Christmas photo you’ll always remember.
4. Pet-inclusive shots
Have a beloved furry family member? Then they absolutely must be included in the Christmas card fun, too! Your family will always remember trying to squish a Santa hat down on Mittens or attempting to get a shot with Fido looking directly into the camera. No matter how successful these attempts are, the resulting photos are sure to be adorable.
Need some more pet photo ideas? Check out: Dog photo ideas & pet photography tips to capture the love of your four-legged BFF
5. Action-packed sledding adventure
There’s no reason why your Christmas family photo can’t also be an occasion for maximum fun. An outdoor sledding adventure is one of the best family Christmas picture ideas for having a blast and making some once-in-a-lifetime memories.
You’re sure to capture some true expressions of joy as your family members whiz down the snowy slopes together. Have the photographer stand at the bottom of the slope to snap your fun-filled expressions as the family careens down.
6. Classic red and green color scheme
Lean into classic Christmas colors with a red-and-green-themed family photo card. Set the colors as the guideline, and then give your family members free rein to choose their outfits. As long as it’s red and/or green, it goes! This is a great way to let your kids showcase their unique personalities and enjoy getting ready for the photoshoot for your family photo card.
Mixbook has a lot of great photo card options that match the red-and-green theme, including Bold Name Holiday Plaid, Merry Garden, and Joyful Flannel.
7. Elegant black-and-white portraits
If you’re looking for Christmas photo shoot ideas that convey elegance and will truly stand out amongst the bevy of colorful holiday cards, consider a black-and-white portrait session. Black-and-white photos have a sense of timelessness, and they may just end up becoming some of your favorite family photos.
8. Fun with fairy lights
The best photographers know that lighting can transform a photo from standard to stunning, and fairy lights are a fun tool for your family Christmas photos. White string lights and colorful lights both work beautifully, as do vintage-style fairy lights and novelty ones.
Try wrapping fairy lights around your family, having a family member hold them in their hands, or even incorporating them as a glowing backdrop. With this kind of photo, all your Christmas card ideas are sure to be whimsical and full of magic.
9. Baking together
Making Christmas cookies is undoubtedly one of the best family Christmas activities. So why not capture it on camera for your holiday photo cards? Wear aprons, bring out your most aesthetically pleasing kitchen wares, and don’t wipe away the dusting of flour—it all adds to the ambiance! Your family will enjoy the experience of baking together, and at the end of the day you’ll have a sweet treat to reward your efforts.
10. Tree decorating memories
Perhaps one of the most beloved holiday traditions each year (and an activity on many families’ holiday checklists) is decorating your Christmas tree. Capturing this special tradition on camera can make your Christmas card photo ideas even more meaningful. Have each family member hold their favorite ornament, and throw some tinsel around for a little sparkle. Shots of your family decorating the tree capture these meaningful memories and make beautiful holiday photo cards as well.
11. Casual lifestyle shots
Some of the best Christmas family photo ideas showcase small, day-to-day moments of life.
Rather than having a themed holiday photoshoot, capture casual lifestyle shots throughout the year, especially during meaningful activities for your family members. Maybe it’s Dad practicing guitar, Mom cozied up with a book, and the kids playing their favorite game. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and these casual, candid shots will tell a story all on their own.
Tip: Many of our holiday card themes, such as the Mod Holiday Memories Collage, feature spots for multiple photos, so the whole family doesn’t have to be in the same shot.
12. DIY photo booth
We’ve all experienced the joy and silliness that a well-placed photobooth can prompt. Consider creating a fun holiday “photo booth” in your home, loaded with props (such as hats, fun sayings, festive accessories, and more), and letting your family go crazy. You never know what kind of unprompted magic can happen with these sorts of Christmas photo shoot ideas.
13. Vintage-inspired photos
Want to go back to old-school style this holiday season? Choose something timeless with a vintage-inspired holiday card. Whether you choose a vintage card design or take vintage-inspired photos with your family, your holiday card will stand out as a timeless piece of art. Try applying vintage filters to favorite family photos, such as sepia or black and white.
14. Aerial shots
Looking to bring some new perspective to your Christmas family photo ideas? Try an aerial shot. Gather up the family in your favorite location, and enlist the help of a drone (or a trusted photographer who can operate a drone) to capture a unique aerial photo this holiday season. As an alternative, find a place where the photographer can stand up above you, such as on a balcony or staircase.
15. Moments of gratitude
The holiday season provides an excellent opportunity to remind ourselves of all we are thankful for. Use your holiday card photo session to encourage gratitude amongst your family. What are they thankful for?
Snap a photo of your family members with something (or someone) they are grateful for. This may also provide a great opportunity to reflect on why holiday cards matter and be thankful for the loved ones that you send them to.
16. Holiday movie scene recreation
We all have a favorite holiday movie (or two, or three, or four). Create a cinematically inspired Christmas photo card by recreating a scene from one of your favorite holiday movies.
Some great options are “The Grinch,” “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “The Polar Express,” and “Christmas Vacation.” This is a great opportunity to be silly as a family and create a truly memorable holiday card.
17. Nature-focused shots
Is there any more beautiful backdrop than the one provided by Mother Nature? Head outside for your family photo this year, and incorporate the magic of nature into your Christmas card photo ideas. You can do this as close as your own backyard, or you can seek out a destination further from home to make an adventure out of the experience.
Tip: It doesn’t have to be wintry! If you live in a climate where it stays warm around the holidays, embrace it with a photoshoot at the beach, on a favorite trail, or botanical gardens.
18. Time capsule theme
If you’re feeling stuck on what to write on a Christmas card and tired of doing the same old, same old, then try something truly unique this year by creating a time capsule-themed Christmas photo card. A time capsule preserves memories, places, people, or experiences from the past.
Look through your old photos and find favorites that represent important holidays from the past. Maybe it’s a photo of your Grandparents in front of their Christmas tree as newlyweds, or yourself as a toddler opening a present with glee.
19. “Christmas in July”
Sure, a winter wonderland is a great backdrop for Christmas photo shoot ideas, but why not switch it up with a “Christmas in July” theme? Take your family photos at the nearest beach, or plan a vacation where you can snap some intentional photos for a tropical-themed family holiday card.
Bring along Christmas hats, sunglasses, and a sandy version of the beloved snowman, and you've got all the ingredients for a sunny holiday card photo that will surely stand out from the crowd.
20. Among the trees
Trees and woodlands always evoke majestic beauty, and they look stunning in the background of any photo. Head to the forest with your family for this year’s Christmas card, and snap some shots among the trees. These photos may end up being so memorable that you’ll also want to save them in a Christmas photo book.
21. Cozy family snuggles
Cuddle up under a big blanket (either indoors or outdoors) to create an instantly cozy aesthetic for your family photos this year. To make this idea even more special, incorporate a blanket that is meaningful to your family–such as a family quilt or heirloom–or opt for an extra fuzzy blanket that complements your outfit choices.
22. Flannel family fashion
A classic flannel print perfectly embodies the “warm and fuzzy” feeling of the holiday season. Grab a set of matching flannel shirts for the whole family (you can even add a flannel bandana for your family dog), and snap some photos in front of the tree or another favorite location.
23. No faces allowed
Just because you’re sending a holiday photo card doesn’t mean it has to feature smiling faces. To take a more unconventional route, consider an artistic shot that will surprise and delight your loved ones. Some examples are a collection of feet and boots in the winter snow or a lovely shot of your family hugging from behind in a beautiful outdoor setting.
24. Make your pet the star
We’ve talked about incorporating your furry family members into your Christmas photo card ideas, but what if they were the show's star instead? Everyone loves a good puppy or kitten photo, and the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to get an adorable shot of your family pet in all their holiday glory.
25. Create a snowy scene
Sure, you could always head outside into the snow for a great holiday family photo card. Or, you could flex your crafty side and create a snowy scene inside your own house. Go crazy with paper snowflakes, fake snow, and lots of twinkling lights to create a unique winter wonderland in your home.
26. Wear Santa hats for fun
Santa hats are always a great (and easy) choice for Christmas card family photo ideas. Tap into that Christmas cheer by outfitting the whole family in their own Santa hat, and snap some photos in your favorite location (milk and cookies optional).
27. Gift reveal excitement
There’s nothing quite like watching a loved one’s expression as they open up a gift that truly surprises them. Celebrate Christmas a few months early, and capture the magic of your child or partner opening a gift you know they’ll love. You can also check last year’s Christmas Day photos to see if you have any that match this card idea.
28. Show the romance
Is it just you and your partner this holiday season? Showcase your romance with a couples Christmas photo card. Cozy by the fireplace, snuggle with a cup of cocoa, or shimmer with glowing Christmas lights. A kissing-under-the-mistletoe photo is especially a hit idea for couples celebrating their first holiday together. Newlyweds and newly-engaged couples might also embrace this romantic idea.
29. Minimalist modern aesthetics
Sometimes, keeping it simple is the best idea. You don’t have to go crazy with outfits, decorations, or a theme to create a memorable holiday photo card. Gather the family together in front of a plain background, wearing whatever outfits you like, and simply smile for the camera. A single, simple prop such as a wreath or star ornament adds a little holiday cheer while sticking with the minimalist aesthetic.
30. Coordinated family outfits
There’s no limit to the types of matching or coordinating outfits you can feature in your family Christmas card photo. Matching pajamas or colors is always a hit, but let your imagination run wild. Maybe put everyone in a matching scarf or weave the same plaid pattern throughout everyone’s outfit in a creative way. Everyone could wear blue jeans and a white T-shirt, lumberjack-style overalls, or your warmest winter coats and hats.
Capture the magic of the holidays with Mixbook
Your family’s holiday photo card is an opportunity to celebrate another wonderful year of memories and share your joy and gratitude with your friends and family members.
Use these Christmas card photo ideas to create a special holiday memory for your family that you’ll be able to look back on fondly for years to come.
We’d love to see your family photos from a holiday card shoot! Share your customer story at hello@Mixbook.com.
