12 hilarious reader photos of Christmases past

We’ve all been there: The whole family is getting ready to take the annual holiday card photo. Everyone is adorned in matching sweaters + reindeer antlers– even the cats. Everyone says “cheese” for the big moment… then Grandma’s dentures fall out. Hello, Family Christmas Card 2015.

Along with the giant family gatherings, tacky holiday garb, and visits with Santa inevitably come some pretty hilarious, awkward + cringe-worthy holiday moments… captured on film for countless years to come.

To offer you a comedic break amidst the bustling holiday season, we asked you, our readers + followers, for your most awkward holiday photos (a la Awkward Family Photos). Boy, did you deliver.

📸 Left out

Left out | Photo submitted by Heather L.

📸 Meowy Catmas

Meowy Catmas | Photo submitted by @daniel_shelley

“A little outtake from my holiday card shoot.”

📸 Mixed emotions

Mixed emotions | Photo submitted by Robert A.

“This actually sums up their outlooks on life!”

📸 OK, Santas, now let’s get in formation

OK, Santas, now let’s get in formation | Photo submitted by Tracey W.

📸 Getting some face time in with Santa

Getting some face time in with Santa | Photo submitted by Ellen D.

📸 Ho Ho NO

Ho Ho NO | Photo submitted by Leigh Ann G.

“Little Annie NOT having it! Big sis Mollie is like ‘she’s crazy.’”

📸 An instant classic

An instant classic | Photo submitted by Rosemary L.

“My daughter took her children, Mac, age 5 and Caroline, age 2 to see Santa at the Citadel Mall the other day. Caroline was not having any part of it!!🎅🏼😳🙄🎅🏼 We actually love it and think it’s a classic!”

📸 Unsure, party of two

Unsure, party of two | Photo submitted by Grace H.

📸 A shoo-in for Santa’s nice list

A shoo-in for Santa’s nice list | Photo submitted by Gaby R.

📸 Moments before Rover started talking politics

Moments before Rover started talking politics | Photo submitted by @jamunc09

📸 Stuck in the middle with you

Stuck in the middle with you | Photo submitted by Chance S.

📸 Sorry, Santa… that’s not coal on your shoe

Sorry, Santa… that’s not coal on your shoe | Photo submitted by @nmkil

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It turns out, a lot of kids don’t seem to love hanging out with a jolly, bearded man dressed in head-to-toe red velvet– even with the promise of presents.

Wishing you happy holidays and festive photo shoots that don’t end in disaster.

– Jen