It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season is here, and it is the perfect time to capture memories with your loved ones. Taking a holiday photo is great for including in your yearly Christmas cards, displaying at your family Christmas party, or just for marking the occasion on social media. In the years to come, you’ll be so glad you have these photos to look back on and remember some of your favorite Christmas memories and these Christmas photo backdrop ideas are the perfect inspo!

Christmas Photo Backdrop Ideas

You can choose to hire a professional photographer for your family pictures, but you definitely don’t need to. Anyone at any skill level can take simple pictures that you will still love and treasure. But sometimes the hardest part of the photo session is choosing the photography backdrop, especially a holiday backdrop. If you are feeling stuck on what background to use for your family’s Christmas photo, never fear! Here are some DIY Christmas photo backdrop ideas that are sure to make your photos merry and bright.

• In front of the fireplace: This is a classic Christmas photo backdrop. You can never go wrong with an old-fashioned family photo in front of the fireplace. Just be sure to sweep up any stray ashes before taking your picture! Don’t forget to add the classic Christmas decoration, stockings, and some fairy lights along the top of the fireplace.
• Under the mistletoe: The key to the perfect Christmas photo is to use simple props which also gives you easy DIY photo backdrop ideas. One of the most romantic holiday traditions is kissing under the mistletoe. Use this opportunity to snap a sweet photo of you and your significant other.

Tree Photo Backdrops

• In front of a decorated tree: A beautifully decorated Christmas tree makes a perfect backdrop for holiday photos, especially pictures of the entire family. If you don’t have a real tree, you can always improvise with a potted plant or even a string of lights.
• In front of a Christmas tree: This is the most classic option of all the Christmas theme backdrops, plus it’s one of the easiest since you probably already have your tree up! Wrap some presents in tissue paper or Christmas wrapping (it’s ok if they’re fake for the photo) and have your family sit in front of the tree. It will make a beautiful, festive photo. Martha Stewart has some excellent tips for how to make your Christmas tree really pop as the perfect photo background.

Festive Favorites

• Elfie selfie: Dressing up as Santa’s elves is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit! Take an elfie selfie with your friends or family members, and have an adult in your family, like your dad, uncle, or grandpa, dress up as Santa Claus!
• In front of a gingerbread house: What’s more festive than a gingerbread house? Use one as your Christmas photo backdrop, and don’t forget to sample the goods afterward.
• With Santa Claus: Visit your local mall or Christmas market to take a photo with jolly old Saint Nick himself! This is sure to be a cherished memory for years to come.
• Baking cookies: Spread some holiday cheer by baking cookies with your loved ones! This will result in some of the most perfect Christmas family photos, and the best part is that it will capture everyone in your family having fun and doing an activity together. Then, take a photo of everyone wearing their cutest aprons and holding up their delicious creations.

DIY Christmas Photo Backdrop Ideas

• DIY Christmas photo booth backdrops: You can easily make some beautiful backdrops to take some photos in front of. First, find a spot to place your backdrop — the best place would be over an empty wall or doorway with good lighting. Hang your favorite Christmas wrapping paper as the background and have everyone in the photo stand in front of it. You can use any paper you want to get your perfect festive look, but the best thing to use is the least shiny option, so that it doesn’t catch too much of the light. Taya at Expert Photography shared some really clever ideas for using other materials to make Instagram-worthy backdrops as well.
• Opening presents: The best photos and memories are in candid moments. Capturing the moment when someone opens their Christmas present is priceless. Make sure you have your camera ready when it’s time to unwrap gifts so you don’t miss a beat — or, in this case, a reaction shot!
• In front of Christmas lights: Bundle up and head outside to take advantage of all those pretty Christmas lights! This is a great opportunity for couples or groups to snuggle close together and smile for the camera, and it will be an opportunity to create some awesome Christmas traditions.

Bonus Idea

• Bonus tip: Add props like reindeer antlers, Santa hats, or a candy cane to really get add to the Christmas cheer! Just remember not to be too cheesy — there’s a time and a place for fun, corny photos, but you also want some high-quality images that you can share with friends and loved ones (unless cheesy is your style, then totally go for it!).

Set up a Christmas Photo Booth

Something that is really fun to do at special occasions like a holiday party is to set up a DIY photo booth so that everyone can take Christmas photos at the party. Bring your own photo backdrops and set it up with a camera or a spot for everyone to set up their phone selfie camera. You can make props, everyone can make silly faces, and then at the end of the night you can all come together to share the photos you’ve taken. Create some lovely keepsakes to take home and treasure forever. The Hallmark Channel (the experts on Christmas memory making) put together some pointers for exactly how you can set up a great photo booth.

With these ideas for festive Christmas backdrops, you’re sure to take some amazing holiday photos that will be cherished for years to come. So round up your loved ones, break out the camera, and get ready to capture some special memories this season. Merry Christmas!