Taking a family photo for holiday cards is something that many of us have to endure each year. You might whine or complain, or be irritated that your Mother in Law wants everyone to wear the same color, but you've never endured the frustrations that the Johnson family in Minneapolis does. Oh, the things we do for love.
My local Kansas City news station brought to my attention this week a family who knows love like none other. Well I'm assuming that anyway, because there's no way in h-e-double hockey sticks any other family would endure this sort of holiday tradition.
The Johnsons live up in Minnesota and they really get into their costumed and themed holiday cards. They've been dressed up as a nativity set, and as light bulbs and packages. It's quite ridiculous and rather sweet and silly all at the same time. You can check out 12 of their past cards over at NBC Kansas City.
Image: NBC
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That's the greatest holiday photo in the history of holiday photos!
I wanted our holiday photo this year to be me as Joseph, my girlfriend as Mary, and our dog in swaddling clothes in a manger -- but my girlfriend feared we would offend too many people. (Probably, but it could have been hilarious, too.) This family will be my inspiration for next year!
three words: awkward family photos
look up the website; endless laughs to be had
What. Is. Wrong. With. People? I will never love anyone this much ... and i think that's maybe okay.
Oh dear. That is regrettable.
This is awesome! Creative. Not taking themselves so seriously.
Not my style, but I'm happy to celebrate diversity!
the slide show was amazing. I thought 8 of the 12 cards were hysterical. These people have a sense of humor and they just don't care what others think--they're having fun with a medium that is usually a bore.
Totally AWESOME, Johnson family! You ROCK!
They've been doing this for 2 decades...isn't it time for the kids to grow up and send their own cards? Can't imagine what their friends think as this continues. It's weird.
@LoveThisSite maybe they are thinking "I'm curious, what crazy thing will the Johnsons do for their Christmas card this year? How could they possibly top what they did last year?" It's just their family tradition. You think it's weird because you don't know them. Not everyone in our society is shamed into complete conformity.
@LoveThisSite-
The grown kids' friends may think that this is a close family with a sense of humor. They may also think that they love Mom enough to do a little (ok, very) goofy thing for her.
I think it's hilarious and wonderful as long as the (now adult) children aren't resentful about it!
Awesome and hilarious to the 9th degree! This family totally rock!
They got humor and don't take themselves seriously and putting great fun into something that would have alot of people enjoy receiving instead of the same ol same ol family Christmas cards. I wish I knew a family like this that would send me funny cards like these.
Voted awesome as well.
I love that the adult kids haven't gotten "too cool" to be in the crazy family holiday picture. My kids are teens and there is NO WAY.
Hahaha, I think this is great. OK, I wouldn't do it, and I wonder what the teen years were like, but I love that they're doing it, because it's hilarious.
@LoveThisSite:
My guess is its one of two things:
1)the grown children think of it is a funny & bonding holiday tradition, and may send out their own (boring) cards as well.
2) or they simply love their parents enough to put up with their weird wacky request.
My 3 sisters and I are 19, 25 & 28, and I could see our totally family doing something this insane, more so now then when any of us were obnoxious teenagers. In fact, I'm disappointed in us that we don't. I'd love to get a card from this family every year, I'm sure their friends feel the same way!
@RuthTooth -
I'm genuinely sorry that you feel you'll never love anyone that much. My heart breaks for you and your missing sense of humor.
Heck, yeah! Why not have a little fun with the usually boring family holiday photo?
From looking at all the photos, it looks like the family has grown from 5 to 6 people. Perhaps one child got married/has a SO and they are planning to include the whole family (children, spouses, grandkids) as it grows? I think it's hilarious, I would certainly look forward to receiving their card in the mail!
Hilarious! I think the best part is that they started early and stuck with it! And no sulky faces! I am VERY impressed! (My family was just dysfunctional enough that this would never have worked, and *I* would probably have had the sulky face!) But I love this now!
Actually, I know of a fairly large number of adults who at some point since childhood still sat on a Santa lap for a photo. Same concept taken to a greater extreme...
@Dominique83, you're correct, the extra "sheep" is a son-in-law. Kudos to him for gamely joining in on the Christmas family photo. These pictures are for the ages.
I'd love to get this card as long as it isn't accompanied by The Christmas Letter!!
I second that, mjs7640!
priceless ~ thank you for sharing ~ mrs johnson has a vision!