8 Creative Home Backdrops for Holiday Photos

Sure, you could make the trek to the mall or a local photo studio, but if you feel like taking things into your own hands this year, we have nine fun, easy and creative ideas for taking holiday pictures at home. Enlist a friend to help (offer cookies as a bribe) or teach yourself to use the self-timer, and you can have Christmas card photos done in an afternoon — without leaving the house!

1. Deck the chalkboard wall. Have a chalkboard wall at home? Consider it your personal photo booth — drape it with a festive garland or strand of lights, and write your holiday greeting right on the wall. Then all you have to do is smile.


2. While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads … Have the wee ones pile into bed with festive jammies on, and snap a picture while they pretend to sleep. It’s even cuter if they peek.


3. Oh, Tannenbaum! If you have your Christmas tree up early enough, you can’t go wrong with a holiday photo in front of the tree. Go a step beyond the basic by taking pictures of your family putting ornaments on the tree or sipping from mugs of hot cocoa with marshmallows.

See how to make these ornaments


4. It’s lovely weather for a wagon ride together. Load a tiny tree into a red wagon, and have your littlest one either sit in or pull the wagon.

Outfit suggestion: holiday pajamas, plus an extra-long red and white striped knit scarf. This would also work with a pretend truck or car.


5. Baby, it’s cold outside. Bundle up and haul the troops outdoors to your front porch or backyard. Have a fire pit? Light it up! If not, stack some firewood behind you to set the mood. Warm your hands with mugs of hot chocolate or apple cider with cinnamon sticks. Definitely invite the dog.


6. A winter’s tale. Pull out all the old favorite Christmas books, and pile them up near a cozy corner. Have the little ones pose with their noses behind tattered copies of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas or Olive, the Other Reindeer, or another favorite.


7. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus. Grab your sweetie and drape yourselves in a strand of old-fashioned Christmas lights — the multicolored kind with extra-large bulbs. Set up your photo shoot near an outlet so you can actually have the lights on. Santa hat optional.



8. Silent night. Want the focus to be on your house? Take a photo in the early evening, from the outside looking in. Wait until after dark and the contrast in lighting will be too great — aim for early dusk. Focus through a window on the big indoor Christmas tree or place a smaller, potted tree outside, draped in twinkling lights.

Tell us: Do you take holiday photos each year? Which has been the most memorable? Share your traditions in the Comments!

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