The Most Awkward Family Holiday Photos In The History Of The Internet

When it comes to the holidays, certain things are a must. However, taking the most awkward family holiday photos you can manage usually isn’t too high on the list.

Although every family usually has its own traditions at the holidays, is there anyone who tries to take the most awkward photo they can possibly craft each season? Maybe there is – but that doesn’t mean everyone wants a picture that they would rather keep as far away from the albums as possible.

Sometimes, no amount of crying will get you out of a photo

What happens when someone in your family goes to a lot of effort making matching outfits for the holidays only to unveil something you would rather see go straight to the charity shop than pose for a photo in it? That was the case for the child on the left, who immediately said they didn’t want it anywhere near them.

Sadly, they didn’t get much of a say in the matter, as they were forced to pose for a photo with their siblings whether they liked it or not. Perhaps you wonder why their eyes look so red? That would be all the crying they did before the picture was taken. The lack of bonnet was all thanks to a compromise.

Think carefully before you choose your wife a gift for the holidays

It can be tough to know what to get our loved ones for the holidays, especially as everyone gets older. Most little ones are happy with a toy or two for the big day, but what are you supposed to get your wife when she seemingly has everything she needs? Some settle on an expensive bottle of perfume, while others prefer to go down the jewelry road.

Not this person. Oh no, they thought that Christmas would be the perfect time to get their wife a new vacuum – and it appears that she was less than impressed with her gift. We’re not sure if this was some kind of passive-aggressive message or if they really thought it was a good idea, but it didn’t pay off.

You get a bike, you get a bike, you don’t get a bike

If there is one thing that many parents have forgotten over the years, it’s that if you’re going to get something for one of your kids, it’s probably a good idea to ensure they all have something. This was made even worse for one little one when all three of his older siblings got a brand new bike for Christmas only to find his was nowhere to be seen.

The worst part? Everyone else got to ride their bike around the front room before they got covered in mud, while he had to stand there looking as sad as possible as the reality sunk in. We just hope someone got this kid a bike before his tears dominated the rest of the holidays.

A suspicious wet patch can quickly change the mood of a picture

At first, this looks like nothing more than a group of people posing for a photo. In fact, there is nothing other than the fact it was tucked away in the holiday album that makes it seem as though it was Christmas at all. Whatever the case, it’s not until we start to look a little closer that things start to reveal themselves.

Many of us have fallen victim to the dreaded wet patch that makes it seem as though a terrible bathroom accident has taken place. Now, it appears it’s this guy’s turn to make it to the list. While it was probably something innocent, it can be tough to talk your way out of a wet patch like this without making it seem like a cover-up.

Not all tears are tears of joy at the holidays

It’s pretty common to see tears of joy at the holidays as people finally get their hands on gifts they have been waiting all year to receive and get to spend the day surrounded by loved ones. However, we get the feeling this might not be because something incredible has just happened for this pair.

Instead, it seems that something terrible has happened, like being forced to wear a holiday sweater they don’t like and pose for a photo with their sibling. Amazingly, the fact the one on the left has his arm around the one on the right only makes this better than it should be. Hopefully, it wasn’t long before they turned that frown upside down for the holidays.

Smiling and showing your teeth are two very different things

Does anyone else ever find themselves thinking about the dramedy “Ugly Betty”? You know, the one that saw America Ferrera shoot to immense levels of fame as she brought the title character to life? However, it’s not her famous poncho and braces we’re thinking about. Oh no, we mean the scene when Mark warns people that Wilhelmina isn’t smiling; she’s showing her teeth.

The more we think about that scene, the more we think that might be what Santa is doing instead of posing for a loving snap with this little one. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that it’s probably time to grab the kid and run for the hills if you want to make it out in one piece.

Santa and the never-ending stare is a movie we want to skip

Just when we thought we had seen it all when it comes to Christmas nightmares, we mean, Santas who are supposed to bring peace and joy, along comes this person with the reminder that the guy in red really does see you when you’re sleeping. The only difference here is you really don’t want to be awake when he turns up to leave the gifts.

Things might not be so bad if the mask didn’t make the white of the eyes just that – so white. There is something about the blank stare that will never blink no matter how long you stare into those eyes that takes this to an entirely new level. At this point, we’re surprised Santa hasn’t got his own horror movie.

You don’t want to end up on this Santa’s naughty list

There are times that making your own costume is perfect and merely shows off your creativity. It’s probably not best to try and do that when you’re meant to be spreading holiday joy to little ones. We think it might be time to take this one back to the drawing board to see if there’s a better way to make something not so creepy.

It looks as though someone went mad with a ball of wool and decided this was the only way to bring the holidays to life. The problem? Rather than being the cuddly Santa that many of us remember from our childhoods, this is the kind of character who looks as though he will haunt your dreams if you end up on the naughty list.

A four-legged friend is for life, not just for Christmas

People without pets don’t always understand how much they can become a part of our lives. Sure, they can’t say they love us, and they don’t always make us smile – especially when they destroy the couch when we’re out – but it can be tough to say no to those eyes as soon as they realize what they’ve done.

This couple isn’t just in love with their dog; they are so in love with them that they want their pooch to be the center of attention during the holidays. Perhaps this is their passive way of telling the rest of their family they aren’t ready to welcome a child into the world just yet? Whatever the case, this dog certainly steals the show.

Did anyone ask for front-row seats to the fight of the century?

There’s no reason that our four-legged friends have to be left out of the holiday season. In fact, many of our pets love the holidays as they get to have just as much fun as everyone else. From Christmas meals to gifts and even being allowed on the couch, it seems our pets get to live their best lives when everyone is in a festive mood.

So what about when you want a photo of the family and your two dogs? It sounds as though it should be simple. However, this pair either really hate the guy in the middle, or they want to fight each other there and then. Whatever the case, we’re not sure we could have a smile on our face.

The last time we checked, Santa doesn’t have a traveling posse

We have no idea when Santa started to recruit henchmen, we mean, different elves to help at the holidays, but we really wish we got the memo before they unleashed this onto the world. If you squint hard enough, to the point your eyes are completely closed and you can’t see this photo anymore, then you might be able to make things a little better.

Rather than thinking of the person on the left as a terrifying Pennywise-like clown, why not picture a family-friendly entertainer who brings balloons and joy? The guy on the right can also go from a menacing bunny who’s here to end your entire family to the Easter Bunny in one swift move. Just don’t stare at Santa for too long.

Santa can be the stuff of nightmares if you try hard enough

When looking for a Santa to surprise your kid, the chances are most of us don’t want to go with someone who seems as though they have been living in a cave for the last 364 days and appeared for a photo before they hide under the bed to drag you off to their lair. Amazingly, that’s what someone managed to achieve when this guy appeared at the door.

Sadly, it seems this little kid already knows they’re in trouble, as they seem to be holding onto their doll for dear life as they pose for the snap before they can run. The fact this Santa has a staff only makes the entire thing more terrifying. We’re sorry, but it’s a no from us.

Being a dedicated goth takes a lot of work around the holidays

Being a goth can be tough at certain times of the year. After all, it takes a lot of dedication to stick to the long leather jackets and heavy eyeliner in the middle of summer when the heat has another idea. It can be easy to think that things get easier in the winter, but that’s not always the case.

How is someone supposed to show their inner darkness when everywhere else is covered in fairy lights and singing carols? Thankfully, this pair found the perfect way to stick to their roots. The winter formal usually sees people bring all kinds of outfits to life, but we think this is the first time we’ve seen someone so dedicated to the goth look.

Holiday photos can be perfect fun for all the family

If we’re honest, it can be easy for our pets to take the place of another member of the family. That’s why there are so many matching holiday sweaters made for everyone in the family – including the four-legged additions – and a host of Christmas-themed things for our pets. What about getting a little creative to ensure your cat is included in all the fun?

These guys seemed to have the perfect solution. It all started with matching outfits and was completed by a tiny sweater for their cat. Of course, the photo comes to life with all the seasonal additions, such as a bubbling cheese fondue and the roaring fire, but we all know who the real star of the picture is, and they’re sitting in the middle.

Children can be more than sweet and innocent – they can be terrifying too

Okay, most of us know that kids are nothing but sweet and cuddly additions to the family who love nothing more than the magic that comes with the holidays. It can be tough for many not to get joy from their giggles and smiles as they realize how great it can be to be surrounded by loved ones every Christmas.

Perhaps that’s why so many people want a host of photos with their little ones throughout the holidays? While it might sound like a good idea on the surface, it seems that it might not always play out. After all, that sweet giggle appears to have turned into a manic laugh, and we’re not sure we want to know who they’ve set their sights on.

It’s not always about locking something in; sometimes, it’s locking something out

We’ve been sitting here trying to think about what a Christmas tree could have done to deserve being locked behind bars for the holiday season. Maybe the family accidentally purchased one from Halloweentown in ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ and the thing came to life? Perhaps it was home to evil gifts that started to fight back before the big day?

While both of these would have justified being locked away, it seems it’s not the tree that’s the problem – it’s what’s on the outside of the cage. That’s right; this was someone’s idea to try and stop the family cat from attacking the tree and ruining Christmas before it’s even begun. The question is: did the tree ever get to live outside of the cage?

Being ironic has no business being so hilarious

We love it when a photo is filled with nothing but irony. We think this girl might just embody how many of us feel every year when the holiday season rolls around. Some of us can find ourselves so caught up in trying to make the holiday as perfect as possible that it can be easy to forget just to sit back and have fun.

With gifts to buy and wrap, decorations to put up, movies to watch, and cookies to bake, there’s usually not enough time to take a little time for ourselves. It appears that it was all a little too much for this girl when she was asked to pose with a “joy” sign. We get it, little girl, don’t worry.

Making a terrifying Santa is apparently easier than it sounds

Just when we thought there was no way Santa could be something from our nightmares, someone goes and proves us wrong. The more we think about it, the more we feel there were so many ways to bring Santa to life that didn’t give away the person’s identity or cause nightmares for little ones for years to come.

We can’t blame the girl at the front for trying to run in fear from this Santa with only the eyes on show. There is a time and a place for wearing rubber masks, and we think the holiday season probably isn’t one of those on the list. Perhaps they wanted to repurpose their Halloween costume and thought this was the perfect solution? Spoiler alert: it’s not.

Creating trends before the world even knows they’re a thing

There have been plenty of trends that have come and gone throughout the years. One that seemed to dominate the holidays in 2020 was people on TikTok using the freeze filter to create all kinds of interesting photos, including ones of them turning themselves into a Christmas tree. Who knew that idea might not be so original after all?

It turns out this family was already ahead of the trend. However, instead of using a fancy filter on their smartphone, they were forced to get a little creative with their snap. All they needed were some colored shirts, some decorations, and some enthusiasm to bring it all to life. It looks like four out of five of them managed to pull through on all three things.

No one ever asks Santa what he would like for the holidays

Hands up if you can remember making a list of things you wanted to ask from Santa each year? It was something so many of us remember doing throughout our childhoods. Still, not everyone ever decided to ask Santa what he wanted for the holidays. It seems this family wanted nothing more than a simple snap with the guy in red for their holiday memories.

Little did they know they already had everything Santa wanted for the big day. If only it meant getting a photo they could be proud of instead of one they probably want to banish from the photo album. This probably didn’t get chosen for the holiday cards this year, and we’re not sure we can blame them for this one.

Sibling rivalries are real – and can have some hilarious results

There comes a time in our lives where many of us have struggled to get along with our siblings. After all, it can be tough for older siblings to adjust when they’re used to having all of their parents’ attention. This can be even worse at the holidays when they learn they’re no longer the star of the family Christmas card.

What better way to ensure you’re the talk of it all than by causing the biggest scene you can manage? It appears that’s what happened with this pair as they decided smiles were off the table, and the only way they would be so close to each other is if they tried to out-scream one another. It seemed to work.

Pajama photos are great so long as everyone sticks to the dress code

We can sit here and try to justify how this photo came about, but we can’t think of anything that would make this all okay. We guess this family snap started as a pajama pose as everyone lined up in their matching outfits? However, that all changed when someone decided they didn’t want to join in on the fun.

Perhaps someone forgot to order an extra set? Maybe they didn’t fit, and they had to sit for the picture before they ran out of time? How about the fact they were all told to come in their pajamas only for dad to reveal he prefers to keep things natural while he sleeps? Whatever the case, just because you have the photo doesn’t mean you have to share it.

Trust your gut, even when it comes to pictures with Santa Claus

If you ever get the feeling that something isn’t right, there’s a good chance you should listen to your gut and get out of there. Yes, it seems the same applies when it comes to Santa Claus. From here, it’s tough to see if there’s anything wrong with the snap other than someone not having the best time as they pose in front of the camera.

However, it’s said the babysitter thought there was something off about it all before the kids lined up for a picture. The more we think about it, just what is that camera angle supposed to be? Are they actually sitting in a photo booth trying to get a new passport shot at the same time?

Being an embarrassing parent comes as a part of the job

It appears there is something about becoming a parent that means you have to go above and beyond to embarrass your children. Is there some kind of course you need to take, or is it something that comes naturally as soon as your little one is old enough to understand you can be pretty cringey when you try?

Whatever the case, these parents didn’t disappoint. They somehow convinced everyone to grab their favorite holiday sweater and pose with some antlers, only to push things too far by locking lips right as they snapped the picture. While there could be some hidden mistletoe that means they had to go with the flow, we’re not sure we can blame the kids for their reaction.

The 1980s apparently meant anything goes when it comes to holiday photos

The more we look at this awkward holiday photo, the more we find to laugh about. Where do we start? For one, dad seems to be rocking the perfect holiday outfit look from the 1980s, complete with shin-high socks and – who likes short shorts? Dad likes short shorts. Then comes the girl in the middle.

Apparently, she was more than a little proud of her cheerleading outfit and wanted to show it off for the holidays while simultaneously making a vow that she would never look bad in a snap. Then comes the final victim, we mean, person posing on the end. From the lycra workout gear to the single jazz hand, we think their pose simply completes the look.

Christmas can be a busy and tiring time for Santa

For years, we thought that Santa was nothing more than the guy who lives at the North Pole and turns Christmas into the magical thing many of us have known and loved throughout the years. If we’re really lucky, then we might see him pop up at a mall or two in the build-up to the holiday season, too.

Now comes the warning that parents might want to look a little closer at Santa before they hand their kids over for a photo. The more we look at the expression on this little one’s face, the more we think we don’t blame them. We’re not sure we’d want to be anywhere near this guy if we had the choice either.

Bragging about your children’s achievements should probably be avoided during the holidays

Many of us know the families. You know, the ones whose kids are all enrolled in extracurricular activities and come home with straight As? They’re also usually the ones who have the perfect picket white fence, a mown lawn that looks straight out of a show home magazine, and everything is always kept in its place.

While they’re normally the ones who love to tell everyone all about how much their children have achieved, we’re not sure that doing that through a holiday card is the best way to go about it. After all, there isn’t much about posing in swimsuits that screams this family is ready for the festivities. Hopefully, this was the first and last photoshoot of its kind.

The thing about compromise is not everyone wants to do it

Being a sibling means we all have some harsh lessons to learn – and fast. One of the many is that nothing is just ours anymore, and we have to learn to share if we want to stay on everyone’s good side. Then there’s the fact there will be times we have to compromise whether we like it or not.

Judging from the kid at the front of this picture, they very much didn’t want to compromise. Apparently, the three siblings all got to see Santa, but there was only enough room for two of them to sit on his knees, meaning someone had to settle for the stool at the front. They posed for the picture, but they sure weren’t happy about it.

When Mario and Luigi aren’t on call, contact this plumber instead

There are times in our lives where it takes a few seconds to figure out what’s going on. There are others when we could have all the time in the world and never be able to figure out what we’re looking at. This is one of the latter. Where do we even start with this one? Do we talk about the fact dad is holding a toilet plunger?

Do we mention the fact he’s doing that in a suit? Sticking a tree and some lights up in the background doesn’t mean that every photo will be festive. However, we’re not sure we want to argue that with someone confident enough to hold a plunger like the Olympic Torch in a photo.

Halloween and Christmas no longer have to be so separate

If there is one thing that’s usually enough to upset Halloween lovers, it’s the idea of talking about the holidays before it’s even the end of October. While plenty of people love everything Christmas-related, others want to enjoy the spooky season all they can before it’s gone for another year.

So what happens when you’re the Halloween-loving one in the family but everyone else wants you to pose for a holiday card? Apparently, you end up with something like this. Although it might seem like the perfect compromise on the outside, we think it’s safe to say it’s not something most of us will recreate. However, we do have to appreciate the level of dedication that went into the look.

Sometimes, we just have to accept we have no control

There is usually nothing like celebrating the holidays with little ones as the magic of Christmas is generally stronger than ever. Perhaps that’s why this woman wanted to get the perfect snap with her growing family to remember the moment? It seemed as though everything was going to plan when they arrived in the woods for their photoshoot.

That was until one of the kids decided they didn’t want anything to do with making memories and chose to hide under the holiday sign instead. Add into that the little one who’s just had an accident and mom unable to control how funny she finds the entire thing, and we think this went from an awkward holiday photo to a moment that sums up most parents’ lives around the holidays.

The 1990s really was a decade to be alive

Each decade comes with its own memorable moments. Whether it’s the music, the trends, or the movies of the time, each usually gives us something to love and cherish. The ‘90s had plenty of those moments, with the fashion quickly becoming the talking point of the world. After all, there are plenty of reasons everyone suddenly wants to dress like they’re from the ‘90s.

The baby might be a few months old, but it seems they’re already ahead of the trends with their outfit. Then there’s mom’s hair that appears to be having a party all of its own. Do we even need to talk about dad’s mustache? That’s what we thought. Millennials everywhere, you’re safe. These trends are stuck in the ‘90s.

Getting children to smile can sometimes lead to trying anything

They say that we should never work with animals or children, and we think this holiday photo might just prove why to many people. At first, it can look like nothing more than a group of children posing for a snap at the holidays. It’s not until you look a little closer and learn the backstory that things start to fall into place.

It turns out the trio were bought matching tracksuits for Christmas, and the family wanted them to pose for a snap. The problem came when the one on the right wouldn’t smile for the shot, so the one in the middle decided to pinch their hand until they agreed. Add into this the fact no one wanted to wear them, and the story is complete.

Dashing through the snow just got a lot more terrifying

Dashing through the snow in a one… Hedgehog open sleigh? Something doesn’t sound right. That wasn’t enough to stop a couple from creating one of the most out-there holiday photos we think we’ve ever seen. At least this is one way to ensure no one else has the same Christmas card snap as you, right?

While some families want to ensure they stand out for all the right reasons, we’re not sure the same can be said here. After all, we’re not sure a hedgehog with antlers and a glowing red nose is something to get us excited for the holidays. Instead, it feels like something out of a nightmare being dragged through the sky. We definitely don’t want to see this coming down the chimney.

Not smiling in a photo almost created a paranormal experience

This photo alone looks a little confusing. Thankfully, there is a story behind it all. Apparently, someone was less than impressed that dad forgot to smile for the photo and decided to get a little creative. Long before the likes of Photoshop, people had to think outside of the box if they wanted to change a picture.

That’s when someone thought they would simply cut out a picture of dad smiling and stick it over the original, only to find the glue came unstuck before it got to the printers. Rather than try to fix the mistake, the printers simply printed what they had – and incorporated dad’s alter-ego into it all. It’s certainly one way to get people talking about our family photo.

Not everyone knows how to behave appropriately in front of the camera

Bringing the family together for a holiday snap is one of the many things people love to do across the planet. It can be even more enjoyable when there are little ones – or four-legged friends – you want to include in the picture. After all, the possibilities are endless, right? That should have been the case for one family.

All they wanted was a simple snap to send to their friends and family, but little did they know they were about to capture one of the most awkward holiday photos of all time. While everyone else seems to be smiling at the camera, the dog has something else on their mind. We’re just glad they have at least joined in on the festivities with a Christmas jumper.

Senior women have quickly become the stuff of nightmares in recent years

Okay, the idea of a terrifying old woman appearing at the holidays is usually enough for most of us to run for the hills, especially thanks to horror movies like ‘The Others’ and ‘The Shining.’ However, this isn’t supposed to be as nightmare-inducing as it seems on the surface. It turns out she is Befana, an annual visitor in Italy.

She is the supposedly kind, old woman who hands gifts out to children on Epiphany Eve. The reality? This costume, complete with the melting mask and blank stare into the camera, makes us wonder if we stand a chance of outrunning her to the door instead. Hey, at least it seems as though Santa is having a good time, right?

Christmas dinner is usually one of the biggest parts of the day

There are just so many things to look forward to when it comes to the holidays. To start, there is the excitement of thinking about all the gifts that have been waiting under the tree. Then there’s the fact we get to spend all day with our loved ones thinking about nothing other than our presents, watching family movies, and playing games.

Oh, and there’s Christmas dinner to consider, too. Although we know that everyone has something different they enjoy as the centerpiece of the table, we’re not sure we’ve ever heard of someone serving up the head of a loved one. The more we look at this snap, the more we think the dog might be the only one who hasn’t lost their mind.

What’s mine is mine and always will be, even at the holidays

If there is one thing that many of us with siblings learned while growing up, it’s that nothing is sacred. Think you finally have the perfect hiding place to keep all your favorite toys safe from your snooping siblings? Think again. It’s almost like they have a radar to sniff out everything we love the most – and be honest, they only want it because it’s ours.

We’re not sure if this big sister has wrestled her young sibling’s gifts away from them or if she really wanted to rub in the fact they were hers. Whatever the case, she certainly looks proud of herself as she holds the little one down with all her might. The best bit? Her parents taking the photo rather than stepping in.

When goth meets Christmas, it leaves some hilarious results

Let’s face it; most of us had the “Mom, it’s not a phase” stage growing up. Whether it was spiking your hair as high as possible, shaving off half your eyebrows to look edgy, or anything in between, there is no end to the number of trends that usually grip our teenage years. Being a goth is one that once took over most of us.

It seems this group has gone all out with their matching black lipstick and bold eyeliner to tell the world they don’t want to fit in – and they don’t care what you think about their fashion. Apparently, being a goth doesn’t mean you want to skip out on a chance to meet Santa or the obligatory photo with the guy in red, though.