17 Fun & Creative Holiday Family Photo Ideas

Rather than trying to get everyone into matching holiday outfits or worrying about the perfect shoot location, stock up on holiday-themed props for Christmas family picture ideas. Santa or elf hats likely come to mind first, but think outside the stocking cap on this one!

Let the kids lick candy canes. Have each person in the family hold a plate of cookies, slurp on a milk mustache, and look guilty about eating Santa’s treats. String holiday lights around Dad while the kids shove tinsel into his pockets. Even outdoor lawn decor can bring fun and easy Christmas card photo ideas to life without much prep.

This is a great idea if the thought of planning complicated, coordinating outfits is too much for you. Simply get your family to dress in neutral colors (white, tan, and black work well) and then wrap everyone up in a cozy throw or blanket featuring a holiday motif. For something classic and sophisticated, look for a plaid or tartan blanket, but you could also go all out on the Christmas kitsch here!

Have an army of little elves? Put them to work in your holiday photo! Transform your dining table or living room into a wrapping or cookie decorating station and have your family dress up in their most festive outfits (think ugly holiday sweaters or even cute elf and Santa costumes). Then, instruct everyone to pose while wrapping gifts or frosting cookies.

If the space under your tree is already crowded with gifts, have your family pose as if it is Christmas morning for your holiday card! If they can resist the temptation of actually opening the gifts, you can snap shots of your family gathered around the tree with mugs of coffee and hot cocoa. Or, you can give your kids a gift to open early during the shoot and capture their authentic reactions.

This cute family Christmas photo idea captures the magic of writing to Santa. Simply dress your children in a festive outfit and have them sit down at the table with a pen and paper. Then, snap away as they make their Christmas lists! You can amp up the holiday cheer by making sure any areas of your home that will be visible behind them feature festive touches like wreaths, twinkling lights, or garlands.

If the holidays aren’t complete at your home without cozying up on the couch to watch Elf, The Grinch, or Home Alone, use that tradition as the jumping-off point for your Christmas photo! The key with this is to layer in as many festive props as you can to keep the photo looking intentional. So serve your popcorn in a red and green bowl, arm the kids with mugs of hot chocolate, and keep Christmas cookies within easy reach. Then, pose on the couch with the remote and capture your family’s reactions to their favorite holiday movie.

Wrap up oversized boxes in festive holiday paper for a fun, playful photo-op your kids will love. Capture the surprise and joy on their faces as they “pop out” of the giant presents. And if your pets can join in by peeking out too, even better!

Bring some nostalgia into your Christmas photo shoot with classic toys like a wooden rocking horse, a retro tricycle, or a beloved Raggedy Ann doll. These charming vintage props will add warmth, character, and a touch of sentimentality to your family’s holiday card.

Get inspired by the iconic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie poster, and wrap your family up in strings of Christmas lights for your photo. This could give your photo a whimsical and sweet vibe — think soft white twinkle lights and your family out in nature. Or, it could amp up the hilarity of a funny Christmas card.

Turn your photo shoot into an interactive storytime by incorporating classic holiday books such as The Night Before Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Capture your kids flipping through the pages or reading together, and consider adding life-sized cutouts of iconic storybook characters for extra holiday whimsy.

Feature a holiday wreath for the perfect seasonal detail and an easy Christmas card picture idea. Adding some festive greenery to the background of your holiday photo is the perfect way to incorporate some seasonal elegance, while still keeping the focus on your family. This is a chic family Christmas photo shoot idea for the family that loves minimalism but also wants to show some holiday cheer. Pair with a stylish typographic holiday card design for the ultimate elegance.

Looking for the perfect holiday prop for kids? Pose with them in a wheelbarrow or wagon for a rustic look, fit for the season, and super-cute Christmas family picture ideas. No matter your backdrop, a wagon is a perfect prop for a Christmas photo featuring your young children, and they will stay comfortable with a place to sit. You can even play off the colors of the wheelbarrow to make coordinating everyone’s outfits a breeze.

Take the family for a picnic to capture those seasonal smiles. All you need is a blanket and the perfect grassy field to capture some holiday photo magic. This is also great for the family wanting an easy backyard holiday photo shoot idea — just grab a blanket and head outside.

What better Christmas photo location than a classic car, filled with all the holiday must-haves? Simply stock up on all your favorite Holiday decorations and take the perfect holiday photo.

Take holiday treats outside by having everyone gather around a campfire or bonfire to make some s’mores! Not only will this give your photographer plenty of opportunities to capture candid fun, it will also create a memory for your family to cherish for years to come.

No matter your holiday drink of choice, everyone loves a sweet holiday-themed mug! Use them as fun props in your photo shoot by giving each member of your family a personalized monogrammed mug for them to hold up in photos. Then, get shots of everyone pretending to take sips of hot cocoa, warming their hands outside on their mugs, and more.

Some family Christmas card ideas forgo the human members of the family entirely. If you have more than one pet, make those furry, finned, or feathered babies the focus of your card! Dress Fido in reindeer antlers, put a festive collar on Kitty, ring the fish tank with colorful lights, and place a tiny Santa hat on your cockatoo for Christmas family picture ideas that are truly wild!

Using props can add a festive flair to your photos. Consider holiday-themed items like Santa or elf hats, candy canes, plates of cookies, or string lights. For a playful twist, include oversized holiday objects like giant present boxes or vintage toys. These props can turn ordinary scenes into imaginative and playful holiday snapshots.

For a chic yet understated holiday vibe, use simple yet elegant elements like a holiday wreath or a plaid throw. Use a monochromatic palette and minimal props to keep the focus on your family while adding a touch of seasonal cheer. This keeps your photos sophisticated and stylish while embracing the festive spirit.

Children can add spontaneity and joy to your photos. Consider having them pop out of giant gift boxes or ride vintage wagons for a rustic look. Let them decorate cookies, write letters to Santa, or simply enjoy a playful picnic. Capturing them engaged in these activities often results in heartwarming and genuine photos.

Of course! Decorate your living room as Santa's workshop with wrapping paper, or stage a cozy Christmas morning under your tree. Embrace your home environment, perhaps with a Christmas movie night setup or a storytelling session with oversized Christmas books, for relaxed but themed photos.

Pets can add an adorable and candid element to your photos. Highlight them in antique wagons, dressed in festive gear, or interacting with family members. A more unique idea is to dedicate the holiday card entirely to your furry companions! This can make for delightfully personal and memorable cards.

Explore beyond traditional poses by getting creative with setups like wrapping the family in strings of Christmas lights, posing with a classic car filled with holiday decor, or gathering around for s’mores by a campfire. These setups capture not just the image but the spirit of the holiday season.

Candid photos often capture the most genuine smiles and interactions. Encourage activities like decorating a tree, watching a favorite holiday movie, or sipping hot cocoa. Providing activities helps family members relax and presents the opportunity for delightfully spontaneous photos.

Incorporating elements from bygone eras, such as vintage toys like wooden rocking horses or retro tricycles, can add warmth and nostalgia. These props evoke warm holiday memories, creating a charming and timeless feel to your family holiday card.