100 Ideas for Quick and Original Christmas Photos at Home

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Christmas inspires us to create memories, but sometimes we lack creativity and imagination for natural, fun photos. As an experienced photographer specializing in original Christmas photos, I’ve created a guide with 100 tips for Christmas photos at home.

This guide is organized the way I plan my Christmas sessions. I want to guide you through my creative process so you can effectively apply these Christmas photo ideas when you pick up the camera.

In the first section, you’ll find various activities and settings that will serve as a foundation.

Then, in the second section, I’ll cover posing techniques, detailing how to position your subjects attractively. Once everyone is ready, I’ll suggest activities to capture real emotions. To add a special touch to your photos, I’ve included additional sections on decoration, clothing, and technical details. These elements complement the image, adding an extra level of charm and creativity.

I hope you enjoy this guide and that it inspires you to capture lasting Christmas photos. Let’s get started!

Activities for Christmas Photos

Fun family activities for kids to get authentic and emotional photos.

Before taking photos, think of an activity for the family. This can serve as a script for your shoot. Having a script is always easier than shooting from scratch, which could result in less natural images.

I share my list of Christmas photo ideas at home that will convey the Christmas spirit in your photos, leaving beautiful memories.

Make Christmas origami as a family!
Fold white snowflakes, stars, and garlands. Then decorate the house with your creations!
Organize a pizza party under the tree!
Make the pizza in the shape of Santa’s head or a stocking. Then enjoy it with everyone under the tree. Make sure to capture original Christmas photos!
Create a cozy atmosphere with a winter breakfast in bed!
Surprise the little ones and capture their happiness while they enjoy a special breakfast.
Get the kids excited for a pajama party with Christmas movies!
Set up a bed on the floor and organize a movie marathon. Make it super fun and capture those special moments in Christmas photos at home!
Organize a Santa visit at home!
Create a special experience and capture photos full of wonder and joy.
Encourage the kids to write and send letters to Santa!
Capture the excitement and hope as they place the letters in the mailbox.
Gather the whole family for festive board game time!
These are special moments that bring everyone together. Let’s enjoy together!
Have fun creating Christmas makeup with glitter!
Capture the fun and creativity in Christmas photo ideas.
Organize a dress-up party by the tree!
Let the kids wear adult clothes and create fun, stylish photos.
Organize a Christmas gift treasure hunt!
Capture the excitement and surprise with each discovery. It’ll be great!

Enjoy family board games!
Capture the fun and connection between everyone.
Encourage everyone to dress up in fun ways!
Stick stickers on faces, decorate scarves with Christmas balls. Then let the little ones and adults show off their modeling skills!
Decorate the Christmas tree creatively with printed photos!
Choose favorite photos together and then print them. It’ll be great!
Research and recreate an afternoon of food from different countries!
Choose unique traditions and enjoy together.
Organize a charity activity!
Collect toys for children in need, prepare meals and distribute them. Let’s encourage the spirit of solidarity and share values!
Organize family karaoke!
Each member chooses their favorite song. Enjoy a night full of laughter and music! Don’t forget to record videos.

Spend time creating Christmas gifts or cards!
Add a unique and meaningful touch to the season. Encourage creativity among the kids.
Decorate oranges with cloves for a festive aroma!
Enjoy this sensory family activity.
Cook a hot non-alcoholic drink together!
Make hot orange juice and pair it with cookie preparation. Promote collaboration and fun in the kitchen!
Camp out in the living room under the Christmas tree!
Transform the living room with blankets and pillows. Tell stories, play board games, and enjoy a different night to strengthen family bonds and create memorable memories!

Activities for Original Christmas Photos

Poses can be natural. I share my quick pose ideas that I use frequently.

Your little one sits on dad or mom’s shoulders and touches the Christmas tree. Capture Christmas photos at home of those special moments
Toss your little one in the air near the Christmas tree.
Sit down and hug your little one tight, tight.
Climb on mom or dad’s back for a piggyback ride.
Hold your little one with both hands and lift them above your head like a weight (for strong backs).
Read a Christmas story under the Christmas tree (put lights inside the book). Capture these moments to get original Christmas photos.
Everyone sits on the floor, kids on parents’ laps. Give the little ones tickles.
Jump on the bed or sofa; kids deserve it sometimes.
Fun portraits with silly glasses; everyone makes a kiss face to the camera.
A “love sandwich” is when kids and parents stack on top of each other. Parents can take the little one and place them between them. While dancing, they say “love sandwich, love sandwich”.
Lie on the floor under the tree and imagine you’re a star making movements with your feet and hands.
We all try to fit in an armchair – doesn’t matter how – standing, lying down, on parent’s head.
Ask your little one to place a ball on the Christmas tree.
Tell a secret in your sibling’s ear. Capture that moment and get unique Christmas photo ideas.
A strong hug with the favorite stuffed animal.
Change facial expressions on the count of 1, 2, 3.
Lay the baby on their side on a cushion.
Hold the baby in your arms touching the Christmas tree with their little hands. Capture this special moment to get memorable Christmas photos at home.
Place the baby under the tree on a blanket and surround with gifts so you can see the branches and ornaments.
Place the baby in a basket under the tree and bring a Christmas ball close to them.

How to Take Christmas Photos at Home

Putting a child in a pose is the first step. To get original Christmas photos with emotion, keep your little one in the pose and give them a task.

I share my list of tricks I use to capture unexpected emotions

Dance to Christmas music: Dance with your family around the tree to Christmas music and create happy moments with their favorite song. Kids love to dance.
“Backwards day” game: Give them instructions to stand up or sit down, but they must pay attention and do the opposite of what you say – fun guaranteed.
Who’s in dad/mom/grandpa/sibling’s eyes?: Ask the kids to sit on their family member’s lap and look for their reflection in their eyes. It’s a tender moment to capture in a Christmas photo at home.
Love tickles: Ask the kids to express their love to parents by giving them “tickles”. This will guarantee natural photos and videos full of giggles.
Nose kiss: What if people kissed with their noses? Give kids freedom to use their imagination and let them kiss their parent or sibling with their nose however they prefer! Parents can participate too.
Kiss attack: Ask a family member to organize a “kiss attack” on their brother or sister. This moment will add joy and family closeness to the photo.
Crazy human tree: Ask the kids to climb on parents and have parents start moving in crazy mode. Laughter guaranteed.
Photobombing with a smile: Before capturing your original Christmas photos, set up a family photo and surprise them with someone photobombing with a funny expression.
Emotion charades: Play “Charades” where participants express emotions only with facial gestures, generating natural and diverse expressions.
Confetti fun: Throw confetti in the air and ask the family to catch it, creating images with fun moments and vibrant colors.

Want more inspiration for your family Christmas photos? Check out our Christmas Gallery at Wonderstory

Answers with ‘dog poop’: Ask the kids to answer any question only with the phrase “dog poop”. For example: What’s mom’s favorite ice cream flavor? This will create special moments of laughter and you’ll capture original Christmas photos.
“Decorate the human Christmas tree” game: Choose someone to be the Christmas tree, then ask your little one to decorate the tree with lights and Christmas balls (it’s better to put them on the sweater). Which tree will be more creative? A perfect activity for Christmas photos at home!
Let’s play bowling: We use Christmas balls instead of bowling pins (Important! Make sure they’re plastic). Kids love playing with Christmas balls – tested hundreds of times.
Tongue twisters – tongue twister competition: Who can say the tongue twister fastest?
“How I met your mother” game: Ask your little one “What do you think about how we met?”, the answers can be very funny. Then tell the real story, creating emotional moments for your original Christmas photos.
Sing!: Give your little one an invisible microphone. Play the music they like and let them sing. Have parents and siblings join the concert too.
Who can find first…: Ask the kids to find something in the book.
Pillow fight in slow motion: Have them grab the pillows and move in slow motion.
Let’s take off together: Suggest they adopt an airplane pose in front of the camera. This unconventional position will add playfulness to the shot and create a fun moment for the Christmas photo at home.
A tower of gifts: Ask the little ones to build a Christmas tower with the gifts. See which tower is more creative and fun!

Christmas Photos at Home with a Unique Touch

To make your photos look natural and stylish, it’s essential to consider the composition aesthetics, including clothing and decoration ideas. Here are some suggestions:

Don’t forget the details that add a special Christmas touch to your photo or video. I share my list of decorative objects and clothing ideas to further personalize your image.

Decorative elements: Candles, little houses, and stockings: Add elements like decorative candles, small houses, snow globes, and gift stockings to create a special atmosphere and get Christmas photos at home full of warmth.
More decorations: Snow ornaments, light garlands, and Christmas details: Use ornaments that add special touches and light to your original Christmas photos.
Floral compositions: Winter flowers: Create arrangements with eucalyptus and other winter plants for a cozy touch.
Christmas books: Special editions and stories: Include themed books, like Minalime editions and popular children’s storybooks.
Balloon decorations: Get inspired by La Fiesta de Olivia shop to create eye-catching compositions with balloons. For Three Kings Day, they have really cool family Christmas photo ideas.
Personalized letters: Special correspondence: Build excitement with personalized letters from the Three Kings or Santa Claus.
Unique Christmas tree: Follow the minimalist trend or decorate the tree with photos and handmade ornaments to create original Christmas photos.
Diverse elements: Christmas mailbox: Incorporate a Christmas mailbox, a charming attribute that can be passed down from generation to generation.
Textures and comfort: Cushions, blankets, and bedding: Add textures with cushions, blankets, and bedding with Christmas motifs.
Advent calendar: Daily surprises: Organize a calendar with sweets and small gifts for each family member.

Themed tableware: Utensils and Christmas dishware: Use festive elements like milk bottles, cookie trays, and themed kitchen towels. One way to achieve original Christmas photos is through these table details.
Personalized floral art: Pine branch wreath, either handmade or purchased from a local florist. Place it near your decorated Christmas tree to complement the atmosphere and capture charming Christmas photos at home.
Personalized decorations: Tree ornaments with names or photos: Add Christmas ornaments with names or photos of your pets for a personal touch on your tree.
Cheerful pajamas for cozy movie nights: Choose festive pajamas for everyone, creating a comfortable and fun atmosphere for watching movies.
Customizable Ugly Sweaters: Find a variety of “ugly sweaters” to customize or explore options at stores like Asos. Perfect for a photo with everyone wearing matching sweaters next to the biggest gift box.
Monochromatic outfits: Opt for outfits in light, monochromatic tones like beige, white, pearl, or light brown for a warm appearance in Christmas photos at home.
Textures in clothing: Incorporate textured fabrics like velvet, sequins, embroidery, and satin to add visual interest to photographs. Keep in mind some fabrics may add volume.
Fun costumes for kids: Choose eye-catching and memorable costumes for kids, creating cheerful and playful moments in photos.
Colorful accessories: Add touches of color with accessories like glasses and headbands for kids for a playful look. Perfect to complement Christmas gifts.
Gift decoration: Decorate gifts beautifully, adding a special touch with eye-catching wrapping and creative details to achieve original Christmas photos.

Pro Techniques: Christmas Photography Ideas

Technical details of your phone camera and photography knowledge will help you tell a more diverse story in photos and videos.

Magic in the Dark: Since these are Christmas photos at home, you’ll likely want to work in low-light conditions. Use stabilization to avoid blur.
Moderate Flash Light: Use flash moderately and soften it, for example by covering it with a napkin.
Garlands as Light Source: Use garlands as a light source, for example by asking a child to hold them near their face, which is perfect for capturing original and emotional Christmas photos.
Warm Tones from Floor Lamp: If light is insufficient, use just one source, for example a floor lamp. In family Christmas photos, warm colors like those from the floor lamp are more flattering.
Playing with Backlight: Experiment with backlit technique, for example when the Christmas tree with garlands is behind a child. Highlight object contours and use side lighting to emphasize details in your Christmas photos at home.
Variety of Angles and Shots: Experiment with different angles and shots: from below, from above, near and far.
Pay Attention to Details: Before taking the photo, look for details that might ruin the composition, like bottles, cups, etc.
Don’t Face Away from the Window: Don’t stand with your back to the window, make sure light falls from the side or on the face.
Experiment with Cameras: Experiment with different cameras, taking several photos with the front camera where you’re in the foreground and the family is behind.
Perspectives from Below and Above: Original Christmas photos taken from below can seem arrogant and distant; from above, a person can seem small. Find the right shooting angle.

Portrait Mode to Blur Background: Use portrait mode to slightly blur the background and give a professional touch to your Christmas photos at home.
Record More Videos: Record more videos, for example timelapses for extended moments or slow motion when kids jump on the bed, or standard video to preserve voices and conversations.
Editing Apps: Use editing apps like InShot. Add atmosphere with black and white Christmas photos. Apply black and white processing to photos to give them a vintage touch and increase contrasts, creating original Christmas photos.
“Remember Composition”: Remember composition. The rule of thirds in photography involves dividing the frame into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines, creating four intersection points. Place key image elements near these lines or points to give balance and visual appeal to the composition.
Adjust Exposure: To highlight lights, decrease the exposure.
“Remove Unnecessary Details”: When making portraits, remove everything unnecessary from the frame and focus on emotions to capture Christmas photo ideas full of feeling.
Experiment with Macro Photography: Experiment with macro photography. Photograph close-ups of Christmas details, like tree ornaments, to add textures and interesting details, for example little hands touching balls.
Create an Image Series: Create an image series that tells your Christmas story through sequential shots.
Create a Collage: Take several family photos of a Christmas scene from different viewpoints and then combine them in a collage to get a complete view of the atmosphere and details.
Create a Composition with Natural Frames: Use natural elements like door frames or branches to create a frame around the scene and draw attention to the main elements, adding a unique touch to your original Christmas photos.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to explore this guide! My sincere wish in sharing this knowledge is that everyone can create meaningful photographs, images that tell a story not just for the moment but for eternity.

If you enjoyed this guide, it would be wonderful if you shared it on your website or social media. Any link to Wonderstory would be greatly appreciated, and helps more families create special memories this Christmas.

Congratulations on the upcoming festive season, and I look forward to receiving your feedback. If you have any questions, suggestions, or simply want to share your experiences, don’t hesitate to write me at tami@wonderstory.es. May we all have wonderful memories this Christmas.

See you soon and happy holidays!