The holidays are a time to come together and spend quality time with our loved ones. Starting with Thanksgiving to Christmas and spanning all the way through New Year’s Day, you can anticipate logging some great family memories. Whether you are looking for fun Christmas photo ideas, need help posing, or would like some suggestions for props, we have you covered. We’ve put together some of our favorite family picture ideas all in one spot for you to use as inspiration for your family photo albums, holiday photo cards, and personalized Christmas gifts.

Ideas like heading to the tree farm to document your baby’s first Christmas tree, staying at home and capturing all the excitement of your little ones on Christmas Eve, or even taking the traditional route with a family photo that catches you all dolled up and looking your holiday best. No matter what you choose, the best Christmas photo books, holiday cards, and framed prints show off your one-of-a-kind family. Explore 50 fresh ways to make your family photo ideas shine this Christmas season.

1. Use Christmas Props

Make Santa Beards and hats with paper and wooden skewers, or antlers and red noses. Get creative with poses – be fun and don’t be afraid to get silly. Friends and loved ones will be charmed with delight when they see giggling grins, recently lost teeth, and a little sass. Multi-photo card layouts are great for sharing these mini-stories.

2. Autumn Sun

Take care of your holiday photos in the cool air of autumn. Head out for a family photoshoot in your best autumnal fall wear for a day on the farm or pumpkin patch.

3. Holiday Baking Adventures

Throw on some festive hats and matching custom aprons and get the gang into the kitchen to mix up some dough with customized wood utensils. Candid shots of flour on the nose and kids measuring ingredients could not be cuter.

4. Rustic In Green

Transform your backyard into the perfect holiday wonderland backdrop. Head to the attic and retrieve those tree trimmings. Dangle some personalized ornaments or custom stockings on shrubs and low to the ground trees, hang some tinsel for some added sparkle and shine, and voila – you’ve got yourself the perfect outdoor setting.

5. Deck The Halls

Decorating the tree with all your best girls this year? Make it jolly (wink!): Grab your favorite holiday beverage and make them extra cheery with customized beer steins and wine glasses . This is the perfect route if you live far from home and you’re planning to do a celebration with friends this year.

6. Among The Trees

Plan a photoshoot to show off your most glamorous of Christmas wear among a natural setting. Bring along a cozy bright red blanket for a burst of color. Go solo or with a partner, there are lots of ways to make this one special.

7. Family Snuggle

Don’t worry about grabbing that perfect image of everyone sitting still. Show off the natural energy of your family as you let loose during your photoshoot. You could even get snuggled up together wrapped in a cozy fleece blanket .

8. Casual And Cozy

Spread a bit of joy this season by donning your favorite winter outfits and heading out to the tree farm with your newest family member. While you’re out there, pick out the tree for their first Christmas.

9. Vibrant Reds

Adorn festive red outfits to pop against the stunning backdrop of a snowy scene. The whole family will stand out even more when bundled together for a group portrait. This is a great idea to evolve over the years—choose a pose you can recreate every year to show a timeline of your family’s growth.

10. Christmas Crowns

Bring the camera along to your annual Christmas party and capture all your favorite traditions with the whole family. If you can celebrate outside, be sure to showcase the warm winter light. This is also perfect for a holiday season birthday—get pictures of the celebration for the scrapbook!

11. Festive In Flannel

Flannel is always a stylish favorite, especially when you can dress your little ones in matching patterns. Keep it casual with a winter stroll and match the kiddos in cozy flannel dresses.

12. Cityscape Christmas

Celebrating Christmas in the big city? Take advantage of the unique streets and brick backgrounds for stylish and urban photoshoot.

13. Minimal and Modern Aesthetics

Brick and solid colored walls make for the perfect backdrop to let personalities shine through.

14. Capture Sleeping Babies

They’re squishy, and poseable (most of the time)—perfect for posing next to a gift box with a Santa Hat on, or across a festive personalized pillow . For added flare – add some twinkling Christmas Lights in the background.

15. Storybook Time

Does your little lady have a favorite Christmas book? When she’s all dolled up for the big day with her custom teddy bear, capture a picture of her picking out her bedtime story around the Christmas tree.

16. Tangled Up

If you’re putting together a DIY photo album, play with fun themes like Christmas lights and snowflakes. Use a string of lights as a photo prop to brighten up your images.

17. Sunlit Fun

Capture the height of winter sun just before dusk by heading out for a cozy walk with the camera. Wear subtle earth tones to blend with your winter surroundings and reflect the light. This is perfect for a climate that doesn’t get snow in the winter.

18. Let It Snow

If you’re lucky enough to catch some snow during your photoshoot, head out in a vibrant festive outfit to stand out against the white wall of winter. This is the perfect pose for a newly engaged or married couple as well—commemorate your first Christmas together!

19. Bring The Pup

Head out into the snow with your furry family member and be sure to roll with whatever photo opportunities arise as you frolic around the park or the tree farm.

20. Snowy Scene

Use easy props in your backyard for a playful family photo idea. Invite your boys to hop on the tractor to pull this year’s mini Christmas tree up to the house.

21. Out For A Walk

Everyone needs to let off some energy around the holidays. Dress up in your holiday best and head out for a country walk hand in hand.

22. First Snowfall

When the first snowflakes of the season start to fall, head out with the kids and capture all their moments of wonder. This is a great opening series in your photo album.

23. Silver And Gold

Capture your family’s beauty by donning black, gold and silver outfits against a warm winter setting sun. These sun-filled shots make timeless additions to your DIY family photo albums.

24. Display The Ring

Getting ready to tie the knot? Use your engagement photos for your personalized Christmas cards this year by heading out for a snowy walk. Be sure to show off the new ring in a well-planned pose.

25. Reach Into Your Archives

You’ve probably been snapping moments all year – now it’s time get them off your roll and onto your sweetest card yet.

26. Festive Props

Set up an adorable scenario for Christmas photos of your toddler by surrounding her with fun and festive props from the season.

27. Santa Hats

Need a go-to way to add some festivity to your Christmas photo album? Pop on a Santa hat and snuggle up around all your personalized and DIY Christmas decorations.

28. Gift Reveal

Want to capture their look of surprise the moment they open that special present? Set your family photoshoot ideas around Christmas morning to commemorate their priceless reactions. Always have your camera ready!

29. Show Your Monogram

Nothing says “Christmas” like having your favorite hot beverage in a mug or cup! And what better way to keep your hands cozy than a lovely monogrammed mug? Personalized mugs make excellent props for Christmas photos. Fill them up with hot chocolate and a tower of whipped cream for a festive photo pose.

30. Zoom In

Capture those sparkly eyes and every freckle to make your card’s recipient. Single, captive shots like these are great fits for photo card designs adorned with foil and glitter accents.

31. Pull The Sleigh

Dogs are excellent models, especially when they have the chance to get a little silly. Make your dog a part of the tree-cutting experience and capture every fun moment.

32. Black Velvet

Let the colors of the scenery shine through while you and the family wear deep and cozy fabrics like wool and velvet. Match your little one in the photo with mom or dad for extra cuteness.

33. Family Outfit

Start a family tradition by breaking out matching Christmas suits for a photoshoot the kids will always look forward to. Be sure to snap a shot before you head off to school and work on your last day before the holiday break. As the years go by, you can compile them into a photo book to cherish the memories.

34.Create A Unique Sentiment:

Use a simple chalkboard sign to showcase your custom greetings.

35. A Night At Home

What setting represents your family more than cozying up in your living room? Start a fire in the fireplace, set up a play area and gather the whole crew together for a casual yet timeless photo.

36. Sweet And Sparkly

Do your kids love playing dress-up? Let them pick out their favorite sequined dress and theme the backdrop of the photo off of their sparkly selection.

37. Catch The Magic

Capture your toddler putting on the final Christmas ornament on your tree and all the small moments of wonder as you venture through the decorations. Be sure to catch the magic hour light just before sunset.

38. Letter To Santa

39. Catch The Romance

What’s sweeter than capturing your child’s letter to Santa? Snap a shot of them writing and reading the note before they send it to the North Pole.

Pair a combination of cuddly shots during a snowy walk for a couple’s Christmas photoshoot. This is especially timely if you’re announcing your engagement in your custom holiday cards.

40. Shades of Red

Need an easy outfit for your Christmas photo ideas? Dress everyone in one item in a different shade of red. Your little one will stand out even more in a bright red festive sweater.

41. Best Dressed

Do you have your Christmas party outfits all picked out? This family photo idea captures a family ready to celebrate in their holiday best. Pair with a photo of dinner with your Christmas table decorations.

42. Cozy Christmas

Capture your annual outdoor Christmas traditions like going to pick up the wreath or enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate by the fire pit.

43. Baby Announcement

Looking for a unique photoshoot idea that doubles as a new baby announcement? Snap a shot of your belly while you take Christmas photos to adorn your holiday card.

44. Sibling Fun

Let the older of the two kids walk their little brother or sister through a farm to pick out your next Christmas tree. Catch all the sweet moments as they help each other along.

45. Holiday Outfits

How can you show off your favorite holiday ensembles? Get the little one in your family in on the fun by dressing them up in a matching outfit for a photo. Then showcase them enjoying their new gift on the big day!

46. Keep It Silly

If your kids are bursting with energy, skip the posed seated photos and let them show off their big personalities. Keep the background nice and simple to keep the focus on your family.

47. Coordinated Color Scheme

Choose two Christmas colors like red and navy blue to base your family photo ideas around. Alternate you poses so you balance out the color of your clothing and pop against the snowy scene.

48. Favorite Film

Look back on your kid’s favorite Christmas movies by capturing a shot of them engrossed in the story. This is a great way to document your Christmas tree decorations each year as well.

49. Pets In The Picture

Dress up your dog or kitty to take part in the Christmas photoshoot. Dress them up in colored pet bandanas, personalized collars, pet tags, and toys to add that special touch. This is especially heartfelt when you can capture your little ones bonding with your pets in matching colors.

50. Christmas Jammies

Wear your matching set of pajamas for a set of photos that shows off your family fun, either with just the two of your or the whole household.

Wrapping Up

If you’re looking for a great gift for mom and dad this season, consider compiling your Christmas images in a small photo album. Add details throughout the book about all your holiday stories, including Christmas party themes, fun stories and special gifts. Add on a custom Christmas photo card that will be sure to make mom and dad smile.