When most families think of Christmas photos, they imagine the classic holiday card. And while holiday cards are great way to add a personal touch to your festive wishes, your family Christmas photos can be used for so much more! With a little creativity, these professional images can become long-lasting gifts, keepsakes for your home, or you can even start a new family tradition to carry on through generations. Here are a few ideas to inspire you to make the most of your Christmas Mini Session this year.

Turn Your Christmas Photos into Custom Gifts

Nothing feels more personal than a heartfelt, meaningful gift – and what better way to share the love this holiday season than by using your professional photos?

Printed Photos: Family will love receiving a beautifully printed photo of your family or your children, especially the Grandparents. Turn it up a notch by framing your photo, choosing a classic frame that complements their home style. Or if you’re not sure what frame will suit, make your photo stand out by creating a photo block that can sit on a table or mantlepiece (or office desk).

Calendars: A calendar featuring your family’s photos, especially those taken during your Christmas mini session, can be a perfect gift that lasts all year. Each month, the recipient can flip the page to see a new picture, and it's a thoughtful way to keep the memories alive.

Christmas Tree Ornaments: Create custom photo ornaments to hang on your tree or to give as gifts. This can also be a fun way to start a new tradition – each year, you add a new ornament featuring that year’s family Christmas photo, slowly building a collection over time.

Personalised Wrapping Paper: Did you know you can turn your photos into Christmas wrapping paper? It’s a fun and unique way to wrap gifts for close family and friends, especially when gifting something sentimental.

Incorporate Photos into Your Christmas Decorations

Your Christmas photos can easily become a part of your festive decorations, making your home feel even more love-filled during the holiday season.

Family Photo Displays: Create a special space in your home where you showcase framed photos as your family grows each year. A mantelpiece, bookshelf or hallway can become a talking point, and your family Christmas photo can be the star of your display.

Photo Garland: String your Christmas photos together with twine or ribbon to create a charming photo garland that can be draped over your mantel or around the Christmas tree.

Create a Family Journal

Instead of storing your family photos in a drawer or worse, on your phone or computer *sigh* why not create a family journal dedicated to capturing your family adventures and everyday life as you make memories through the year.

You can include written notes along with your photos to give your journal more meaning and create a treasured keepsake your kids will cherish as they grow older. And each year, end your journal with your Christmas photos and a personal note from each family member about the year that’s been and what they hope to come next year.

Turn your Family Journal into a new tradition by gathering everyone together on Christmas Eve to reminisce on past years as your family grows and changes. It’s a beautiful way to capture the essence of your family and preserve it for future generations.

So, as you get ready for Christmas this year, think beyond the card and start dreaming up new ways to showcase and share your beautiful Christmas photos!

The photos featured in this blog was photographed in Ocean Grove, a coastal town in the Bellarine Peninsula, by Ocean Grove photographer Joanne ‘Jo’ Curtis, who specialises in newborn and family photography.

Jo services Ocean Grove, the Bellarine, Geelong, the Surf Coast and Melbourne.

a session with Jo is more than just refreshing your family photos

Our Christmas Mini Session might only last 20 minutes, but the moments we create will last forever. You’re the family historian, and a family photography session is your way to preserve everything you love about your family, exactly as they are now, to be remembered 20, 50 or even 100 years from now!

If you’re ready to make some magic this Christmas, pop over to our Christmas Mini info page to find out more and book your spot! I’d love to work with you! Or join the VIP email list to keep up-to-date on all the good things going on.

Jo xx