With the arrival of a new baby, you finally have an excuse to send your family’s first photo holiday cards. (Or maybe you’ve been photographing the dogs dressed like elves for years.) Either way, here are 10 mistakes you don’t want to make on your baby’s first holiday card. Trust us — you’ll want to avoid these holiday photo faux pas — your friends and family will thank you.
Photo: SayLuiiiis via Flickr
Say No to Costumes
Everyone loves a fluffy baby snowman or pointy baby reindeer, but leave the costumes to Halloween please. Show them your sweet bundle of holiday joy without the holiday getup. (Even if it’s sooooo cute.)
Photo: Alexandra Stewart via Flickr
Skip the Frostbite
Of course, we’d love to see a photo of your family majestically frolicking in the snow, but if it means frostbite, tears and chapped faces, don’t do it. Taking photos in a real life winter wonderland is simply not that fun.
Photo: Shannon Tompkins via Flickr
Don’t Do Crazy Backdrops
Your holiday card is not the time to go overboard in an elaborate production of lighting and backdrop design. Inspiration strikes, you break out the holiday wrapping paper and fake snow, then all of sudden your baby is buried in a landslide of tinsel.
Photo: kiliki805 via Flickr
Avoid the Pinterest Fail
Feeling creative? Those hand print reindeer cards seemed like such a good idea, until you, your baby and your house was covered in hand, foot and butt prints. If you are able to muster one actual handprint that doesn’t look like a three toed sloth, send it to Grandma and move on.
Photo: Kate Sadowski
Pass on Adult PJs
Where does one even buy adult size elf pajamas? Thanks to the internet, they do exist. Much like an endless candy cane, just because we dream about it, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Let your kids be the cute ones. Adults – stick to the sidelines.
Photo: Ashly Grzyb
Cry If You Want To
The day has finally come for your bouncing happy baby to meet Big Red. No, not the Kool-Aid Man. We’re talking about Santa. But just as you make eye contact, Junior bursts into tears. Hey, just go with it. A screaming baby on Santa’s lap is about as adorable as it gets.
Photo: Ricardo Navarro via Flickr
Don’t Pay for Perfection
With all the holiday excitement, it can seem like a priceless experience. You may be willing to pay your family’s weight in gold to a photographer who can actually capture your entire family smiling together at the same time. Listen, why pay for overpriced professional images when your neighbor snapped a beautiful iPhone photo of your fam just the other day?
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Photo: Donnie Ray Jones via Flickr
Share the Candids
Real life candid photos are awesome! Remember that baby tuxedo shot from your sister’s wedding or baby’s first trip to the beach. Share the pic of baby covered in a bubble bath or hugging on Fido. Rule of thumb – share moments worth sharing.
Photo: Mihai Dragomirescu via Flickr
Please Don’t Photoshop
Do we have to say “don’t photoshop your baby”?! Come on, it’s unnatural. There’s drool on baby’s chin all the time. We get it. There are bags under moms eyes all the time. We get it. (Maybe photoshopping mom is okay after all.) Share the sweet, imperfect family that is yours. Your family will love you for it.
Photo: RebeccaVC1 via Flickr
Most Importantly: Don’t Forget to Send Them a Smile!
Everyone loves sending and receiving holiday cards. A simple gesture to let your family and friends know you are thinking of them during this special time of year. So whether elegant or silly, happy or bashful, share your sweet baby this holiday. Just do it in good taste.
Do you have a lesson learned? Share your holiday card mistakes in the comments below!
-Ashly Grzyb
