The easiest family Christmas card photo ideas use what you already have: your tree, your couch, matching pajamas, your front door or a nearby park. Prop your phone up, use the self-timer and burst mode, shoot in soft natural light, and choose the photo where everyone looks happy, even if it isn't perfect. A relaxed, real moment almost always makes a better family Christmas card than a stiff pose.
You don't need a photographer to get a great family photo for your Christmas card. Below are 15 family Christmas card photo ideas you can take on your phone, plus practical tips on lighting, timers and getting kids (and dogs) to cooperate, and how to turn the photo into a card your family will actually keep.
Before You Start: Phone Photo Basics
- Use a tripod or a stack of books. A steady phone at chest height gives a more natural angle than a phone held at arm's length.
- Turn on the self-timer and burst mode. Most phones can take a burst of shots after a 3 or 10 second timer. More shots means more chances that nobody blinks.
- Find soft light. Indoors, face a large window. Outdoors, shoot in open shade or in the hour before sunset. Avoid harsh midday sun and the camera flash.
- Use the rear camera. It's sharper than the front camera. A Bluetooth remote or a smartwatch can trigger it.
- Leave space around the group. Card frames crop the edges, so don't fill the frame edge to edge.
- Shoot horizontal and vertical. That way you'll have options for whichever card design you choose.
Indoor Family Christmas Card Photo Ideas
1. Matching pajamas on the couch
A classic for a reason. Pile onto the couch in matching (or deliberately mismatched) pajamas with a blanket and mugs of cocoa. It looks cozy and takes five minutes to set up.
2. In front of the tree
Stand or sit in front of the tree with the room lights off and the tree lights on, but keep a window or lamp lighting your faces so you're not in shadow.
3. Decorating the tree
Set the timer and keep decorating. Kids hanging ornaments, a parent lifting a child to place the star: action shots feel more natural than posed ones.
4. Baking cookies
Flour on noses, aprons and a tray of cookies. Shoot from slightly above the kitchen counter.
5. The pillow fort or blanket pile
Everyone peeking out from a pile of blankets or a pillow fort makes a funny, unique card, especially with young kids.
6. Reading a Christmas book
Gather around a favorite holiday story by the window. It's calm, warm and great for families with toddlers.
Outdoor Family Christmas Card Photo Ideas
7. At the front door
Your decorated front door or porch is a ready-made backdrop. Everyone in coats and scarves, waving.
8. The walk away
Walk away from the camera holding hands, then turn back and look over your shoulders. It's ideal if one family member hates posing.
9. At a Christmas tree farm
Picking out your tree is a natural photo moment. Take a shot with the tree you chose.
10. In the snow (or the leaves)
If you have snow, a snowball fight or a snow angel shot is unbeatable. In warmer places, a park, beach or a string of lights on a patio works just as well.
11. Under neighborhood lights
Visit a well-lit street or display at dusk, when there's still some light in the sky. Hold the phone very steady or use a tripod.
Creative and Funny Ideas
12. The "outtake" card
Use the shot where the baby is crying, the dog is licking someone and everyone is laughing. Honest chaos is relatable and memorable.
13. Then and now
Recreate an old family photo from years ago with the same pose. Put both in your video or mention it in your message.
14. The family pet as the star
Let the dog or cat take center stage in a Santa hat, with the family blurred in the background.
15. Hands only
Everyone's hands stacked together around a mug or an ornament. Perfect for families who are camera-shy.
For even more inspiration, see our Christmas card with photo ideas and unique Christmas cards guides.
How to Get Kids (and Pets) to Cooperate
- Keep it short. Plan for 10 to 15 minutes of shooting, not an hour.
- Schedule around naps and meals. A rested, fed child is a happy one.
- Play, don't pose. Tickle, tell a joke or ask the kids to whisper a secret to each other.
- Use treats for pets. Hold a treat just above the camera to get the dog looking at the lens.
- Take the pressure off. Tell everyone you're done, then take a few more. The relaxed shots after "the end" are often the best.
Choosing the Photo for the Card
Pick the photo where expressions are warm and faces are clear, even if something small is off. Check it on a large screen before you upload, and make sure it's sharp. Avoid heavy filters; natural color prints better. Leave a little breathing room around faces, since you can adjust the photo inside the frame when you design your card.
Turn Your Photo Into a Card They'll Watch, Too
Your family photo captures one moment. A short video captures the rest: the laughing, the outtakes, the kids yelling "Merry Christmas!" With The Christmas Card from Closer Prints (formerly Closer Cards), you pick a design, add your family photo, write two short lines and upload a video of up to 90 seconds. When the recipient scans the QR code on the card, your video plays right on the photo.
The printed card is $15.79, printed within 1 to 2 business days (Monday to Friday) and mailed for you, with free Standard Mail shipping within the US. The Digital PDF version is $3.99 and is delivered instantly by email. Sending cards to a big list of relatives? Check our quantity order options, and browse the full Christmas collection to match a design to your photo.
FAQ: Family Christmas Card Photos
How do I take a family Christmas card photo by myself?
Set your phone on a tripod or a stack of books at chest height, turn on the self-timer and burst mode, and face a window or open shade for soft light. Take several bursts and pick the shot where everyone looks happy.
What should a family wear for Christmas card photos?
Choose coordinating colors rather than identical outfits, such as reds, greens, creams or denim, or go all in with matching pajamas. Avoid large logos and busy patterns that pull attention away from faces.
What is the best time of day for outdoor family Christmas photos?
The hour before sunset gives warm, soft light. If that doesn't work, shoot in open shade on a bright day. Avoid harsh midday sun, which causes squinting and strong shadows.
How do I get kids to smile in a family Christmas photo?
Keep the session short, schedule it after naps and snacks, and replace "say cheese" with games, jokes or tickles. Natural laughter almost always looks better than a forced smile.
Can I add a video to a family Christmas card?
Yes. With a Closer Prints Christmas card you add your family photo plus a video of up to 90 seconds. When the recipient scans the QR code on the card, the video plays right on the photo.