30 Fun Christmas Card Photo Ideas For Families And Friends

Below are 30 Christmas card ideas for 2024 organized into categories to inspire your photoshoot.

Family Christmas Card Picture Ideas

It’s hard to get the whole family together for the Christmas shooting when Mom doesn’t care about being snapped, and Dad thinks the selfie is fine. Let's see which family Christmas card ideas you can use for your "holiday spirit" shot: 

1. Matching Pajamas by the Tree

Coordinate matching pajamas for everyone (bonus points if the dog or cat joins in!), and sit together by the tree, surrounded by magic lights and presents. What a perfect excuse to spend the rest of the day lounging in your holiday PJs.

2. Candid Cookie Baking

Who wouldn’t like to bake cookies with their family and have flour all over, but not in the bowl? Have the family wear aprons and take group photos during mid-cooking. Flour on the noses, kids sneaking dough bites, and icing-covered fingers. Bonus points if someone catches Dad “taste-testing” a finished cookie.

3. Snuggled on the Couch

Sit everyone on the couch wearing cozy clothes, blankets, or fancy holiday pajamas. Include festive accessories such as lights, stockings on the wall, or a Christmas tree in the background. Sip hot cocoa with marshmallows, read a Christmas story together, or include your family pet by your feet to spice up the holiday card picture. 

4. Outdoor Snowball Fight

Put all your family members in colorful, warm clothing and go to your backyard or the park. Take quick shots whenever kids throw snowballs, laugh, create a snowman, or build a snow fort. It may also be possible to roll over some soft, simple snowballs for the camera, which you have made beforehand. 

5. Letter to Santa Scene

Decorate a table, putting a pen, a piece of paper, and hot cocoa nearby. Ask your kids (or the whole family) to write their letters to Santa. Dress up one of the family members as Santa or an elf. 

Couple's Christmas Card Picture Ideas

It’s time to show your love—no need to wait for the Titanic scene. These cute Christmas card ideas will help capture last year's sweetest and funniest moments. 

6. Kiss Under the Mistletoe

How about hanging mistletoe and letting magic happen? Use props such as Santa hats and sweaters to add a festive touch. For added fun, put a “What about me?” sign on your pet or ask your child to cover their eyes, faking embarrassment. 

7. Wrapped in Christmas Lights

Do you want to add Christmassy sparkle to your holiday card? This playful idea is perfect for couples, kids, or the whole family. Add a humorous touch by doing something like you're “stuck” in the lights, or kids can look like they’re “decorating” the adults. 

8. Cozy Blanket Hug

Take a holiday-themed blanket and pose before a lit Christmas tree, a fireside on fire, or the floor. Invite the family pet to join in, peeking under the blanket or stuffing yourself at your feet. 

9. Snowy Stroll

Head out to a snow-lined park, forest, or even your backyard. Go for a walk down a snowy path hand in hand. Bring along a sled or a basket of gifts like attributes. To put a romantic touch on a photo, stop for a quick kiss in the middle of your walk. 

10. Matching Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Don ugly Christmas sweaters and sit around the tree with a playful face on, pointing at each other’s sweaters. Add silly accessories like reindeer antlers, elf hats, or giant glasses. Put on the family pet one of the “ugly sweaters,” or let the kids get creative with funny captions such as “Holiday fashion experts!” 

Kids & Baby Christmas Picture Ideas

Why not use a little magic to capture the kids and babies? Here are some of the best Christmas card ideas you can realize with tripods: 

11. Baby in a Stocking

Choose an oversized Christmas stocking with a warm interior. Put the baby inside and position it before a Christmas tree, fireplace, or other festive decoration. Lock your baby’s name or initials on the stocking and embellish it with small props such as tiny Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or a soft holiday toy. 

12. Santa’s Little Helper

Wear your baby or child in an elf costume, with a small hat and striped tights, or a mini Santa suit with a fluffy beard and boots. Pull the scene with a festive background like Santa’s workshop. Include a tiny sack of “gifts” or a toy sleigh. The family members can wear reindeer costumes, playing a scene where everyone “helps Santa” on Christmas Eve. 

13. Reindeer Antlers

Have everyone wear reindeer antler headbands and strike playful poses. Pair the antlers with holiday pajamas, cozy sweaters, or even full reindeer costumes. For babies, use a soft, baby-sized headband and position them in a sleigh or under the tree. Add a red nose to create a "Rudolph," or have parents or older siblings for a sleigh-pulling scene. 

14. Messy Gift Unwrapping

Create a cozy Christmas background: throw colorful wrapping paper, ribbons, or open boxes. Capt your kids or the whole family during the unwrapping frenzy. Add creative props such as oversized gift boxes, funny holiday pajamas, or something big and “unexpected” like Dad in the box! A dynamic Christmas card would be a nice gift for your grandparents.

15. Sleeping by the Tree

Underneath your Christmas tree, arrange soft blankets and pillows. Curl up with your kids as if you've dozed off after a day of holiday fun. Other props include an empty plate of cookies and a glass of milk, an opened pile of wrapped gifts, or an open book as though someone fell asleep in the middle of a story. 

Christmas Picture Ideas with Pets

What's a Christmas card without the adorable faces of your furry family members? We have funny Christmas card photo ideas and creative poses for a pet-friendly holiday photoshoot at home:

16. Pets in Christmas Sweaters

Your furry friends should have a chance to be in the Christmas fun. Nothing is cuter than a dog donning Christmas sweaters (like reindeer antlers or candy cane stripes). Position them next to the Christmas tree, including fun miniature Santa hats, holiday play toys, or even a gift for the pet to “open.” Match their furry friends with sweaters if you have more than one pet. 

17. Santa Paws

Dress your pet in a cute Santa costume. Capture them striking a pose as if they’re about to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls. Dress the kids as reindeer or elves to have more fun, making it look like Santa’s workshop. 

18. Pets with a Holiday Letterboard

Write a funny message like "Merry Christmas from (pet’s name)" or "Santa Paws is Coming to Town." Set the board on the floor or a tabletop and place your pet nearby.

19. "Naughty or Nice" Sign

Hang up or hold a “Naughty or Nice” sign by your side and have your pet create a pose. Run a small Santa hat or reindeer antlers over your pet. Include a pile of either “naughty” presents (like chewed-up shoes or ripped wrapping paper) or “nice” presents (a new toy or treats). 

20. Reindeer Dog or Cat

Make them look like they’re pulling Santa’s sleigh or riding herd on a pile of wrapped gifts. Put a red nose on your pet for a “Rudolph” effect, or plop a tiny festive scarf. If you’re feeling creative, add small props, such as a faux reindeer harness, to the look. 

Creative and Fun Group Christmas Photo Ideas

Capturing the Christmas chaos, laughter, and love of your family and friends. We’ve got group holiday card photo ideas to turn your memories into picture-perfect moments where no one gets left out.

21. Peek-a-Boo Behind the Tree

Get your friends or yourself behind the Christmas tree so all you see is your faces sticking out from behind the branches. You can have them peeking from branches for more charm. For even more fun, get everybody to strike a funny expression before they peek from behind the tree. 

22. Holding Giant Ornaments

Create a huge and brightly colored ornament using a large or small balloon. Have your kids, family, or friends pose with them for a picture. Decorate your ornament with glitter or ribbon. Everyone can have a different size or color. Place the ornaments so that everyone tries to “balance” them.

23. Gift Box Surprise

Place a large gift box and top it with a huge bow. Take a picture of everyone opening the box or bend to look into it. This adds an element of surprise and humor to your photo. An image background remover can eliminate distractions and highlight your subject to give your photos a polished look.

24. Sleigh Ride Fun

Have a genuine sleigh and your family members or kids. Pretend to pull each other on the sled. Small Christmas trees, wrapped gifts, or even a faux “Santa” are good decoration ideas for the photo. You can also take a picture in the sleigh with a snowy background. 

25. Funny Holiday Signs

Stick up or hang hilarious holiday signs, such as “Santa’s Favorite Family,” “Official Cookie Tester,” or “Naughty, Nice or Just Right.” Each person can hold a sign or put a large sign like a background. Include holiday jokes, personal holiday jokes, and puns. Put on everybody's headbands with Santa beards, elf ears, or holiday glasses. 

Solo or Themed Holiday Photos

Solo and styled holiday photos will help you craft an ordinary Christmas card. Here are some Christmas card poses for your holiday picture:

26. Holiday Window Reflection

Position yourself before a window lit with Christmas lights, garlands, or snow. Look into the window to capture your reflection. Don't like the background? Give your holiday photos that extra festive touch with a Christmas setting background, from snowy streets to sparkling tree scenes.

27. Holiday Movie Poster Parody

Create your own recreated poster for your favorite Christmas movie, such as “Home Alone,” “Elf,” or “Grinch.” Write a title, strike the movie's signature pose, and add captions. It’s a funny and nostalgic idea that brings personality to your photo. 

28. Christmas Tree Decorating Fun

Pose like you are decorating the Christmas tree, putting up an ornament, adjusting the star on top of it, or unraveling lights. 

If you want to imagine yourself in a festive scene or a winter wonderland, a background adder will give your pic an extra magical touch. 

29. Christmas Candlelight Moment

Get several candles lit around you, creating a warm, soft glow. You may be reading a Christmas story, writing a card, or listening to a peaceful moment. The soft flickering candlelight will sweeten your holiday photo.

30. Holiday Makeup Glam

Try holiday-themed makeup: diamond eyeshadow, glitter, and festive red lips. Position yourself before a holiday backdrop (such as a decorated tree or fireplace). Add image to image, creating a unique and personalized photo collage.

The Bottom

After capturing those funny Christmas card background ideas with your loved ones, don’t forget to start planning for 2025 with some exciting New Year gifts ideas. Remember, your greeting holiday card is an opportunity to spread happiness to your loved one.