As a child, our family Christmas photo was an annual trauma. As a parent, I understand it now

In our house, the Christmas photo still exists. But it follows a very different set of rules: Keep it quick, keep it casual, and if it’s not funny … what’s the point?

As a child, our family Christmas photo was an annual trauma. As a parent, I understand it now

TL;DR

  • The author describes the stressful, professionally staged family Christmas photos of her 1990s childhood.
  • These photos involved coordinated outfits, professional photographers, and intense parental direction.
  • As an adult and parent, the author now takes a quick, casual, and funny approach to family Christmas photos.
  • Her new approach involves minimal staging, few photos, and embracing humorous or imperfect results.
  • This change signifies a desire for generational healing and finding joy in imperfect memories.