The tradition of snapping Christmas photos dates back to the 1950s, and it’s only grown more popular. Today, sharing photos — whether through printed cards or digital greetings — is one of the most beloved ways to spread holiday cheer. Whether you’re posing for a funny Christmas photo, a cozy family portrait, or even a holiday card featuring your dog dressed as Santa, it’s all about making the season fun and personal.
Coming up with Christmas photo ideas is half the fun. The best inspiration? Everyday life. Some of the most heartwarming — and hilarious — holiday moments are the unplanned ones, so don’t be afraid to capture real moments. Take photos while you and the kids bake Christmas cookies (bonus points for flour-covered noses!). Dress your pup in a holiday outfit and document their reaction (or lack thereof). Celebrating solo? Put on some Christmas jammies, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and say cheers to your holiday selfie. Browse more Christmas photos ideas below!
Get your loved ones together in a cozy setting and let your portrait capture those holiday vibes. At home, try wrapping yourselves under a homemade quilt, smiling with hot cocoa mugs, wearing matching pajamas or donning ugly sweaters. Or you can go outside to a snow-covered pine forest during the day, or perhaps a locale decorated with twinkling lights at night.
Let the holiday hilarity begin! Bust out those gloriously hideous ugly sweaters and strike your goofiest pose. Got kids? Let them wear their favorite holiday pajamas and turn the living room into a dance floor while you play paparazzi. Put reindeer antlers on everyone except the dog.
Baby’s first Christmas? Mark the occasion with your favorite baby photos. They don’t even have to be holiday themed — because babies are the definition of jolly!
Put a spotlight on your fur family this year! What could be more adorable than your cat, dog, bunny, hamster or other pet posing with a Christmas ornament, dressed in a Santa suit or yawning out the words fa-la-la-la-la? The paws-ibilities are endless!
Whether it’s your first Christmas as a couple or you’ve been together for years, show how you’re celebrating the holiday season. You could be skiing the slopes, decorating the Christmas tree, shopping downtown, kissing under the mistletoe, ice skating or holding hands on a walk through the park.
Once you’ve come up with your idea, it’s time to take the Christmas photo! For those who want a more polished, formal card photo, pick a date and get everyone dressed up in their holiday best. Gather around the tree, use a tripod and set a timer. Want something more spontaneous? Scroll back through your vacation photos and pick the one where everyone’s smiling. For a professional touch, book a photographer for formal holiday portraits. These make great keepsakes and standout cards.
If you want to print your cards, shoot for early November to take your Christmas card photos—that gives you buffer time for editing, printing, and getting them in the mail. Choose a time of day with good natural light and make sure everyone’s had their rest and snacks.
If you want to text, email or share your Christmas cards online, you have more wiggle room. They’re received instantly, so you can wait until there’s snow on the ground or you’ve decorated the Christmas tree to take your Christmas card photos. Just remember, the earlier you start, the less stressed you'll be when December hits and you're juggling a million other holiday tasks.
Once your Christmas photos are ready, it’s time to create your card. With American Greetings, you can make a fun or heartfelt Christmas photo card quickly and easily:
Deciding when to send Christmas cards will likely depend on how you plan to have them delivered. Aim to mail printed cards in early December, so they arrive in plenty of time. This allows at least two weeks for delivery during the busy holiday season. Or, send digital cards anytime from Thanksgiving through Christmas for instant delivery. Choose digital for speed and affordability or printed for a traditional keepsake that can be displayed by your recipients throughout the holiday season.
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