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This Family Started Doing ‘Real Life’ Christmas Cards 5 Years Ago And They Get Crazier As The Kids Grow Up
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This Family Started Doing ‘Real Life’ Christmas Cards 5 Years Ago And They Get Crazier As The Kids Grow Up

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The Bergerons might be sending out the most awkward Christmas cards, but the Stanleys know how to play the game as well. This family from Charlotte, North Carolina have been using the same format to capture the essence of raising boys, and this year a baby sister has joined in the fun.

Image credits: kakalacky_guy

“The very first time we tried to take a “traditional” Christmas card photo we had hilariously bad results,” Jonathan Stanley told Bored Panda. “We were new parents with a one-year-old and everything went wrong – baby cried the whole time, it was windy, the lighting kept changing, you name it. If 2 of us looked okay, the third one blinked. We laughed so hard at how bad the photos were that we decided just to send them out as is and our family loved it. From there the tradition was born – instead of trying to send perfect cards, we would send something that represented the chaos of parenting.”

Image credits: kakalacky_guy

“At first, I think my wife kind of rolled her eyes and said okay we’ll try it,” he said. “I had no idea if a staged scene would make sense or be funny, but we went for it and it just kind of worked. The kids love it, though when they see the final product I have to constantly remind them that it’s fake and to not try it in real life. I worry sometimes I am putting ideas into their heads!”

On the surface, Jonathan tries to make the scene aesthetically pleasing “as if it’s a Pottery Barn ad or something.” The magic happens, however, once you look a little closer and realize this family’s life is completely out of control. “I also take care to make sure its a realistic as possible – most of the scene is shot practically and I try to minimize the photoshop required to yield the best results. Today most people have a strong eye for recognizing when something is fake, so the goal is to make it just real enough that they question how we pulled it off.”

Image credits: kakalacky_guy

“The hardest part is getting the kids to look in the right place and hold the right pose – especially when they were younger,” Jonathan added. “We use a lot of tricks like putting bells on a pole and then holding it where their eyeline needs to be, etc. Also ensuring they don’t bump the tripod while we are shooting – easier said than done when you have two boys running around for an hour. We shoot each kid individually and then stitch it all together…but if the tripod gets bumped it ruins the effect and we have to start over.”

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Image credits: kakalacky_guy

“Our friends and family would be so disappointed if we went back to a normal card at this point. It’s also a great creative outlet and once the kids are a little older it will open up some crazy possibilities that aren’t feasible with a four-year-old and a baby.”

“I think deep down everyone hates trying to get a photograph for a Christmas card,” he concluded. “It’s near impossible if you have young children – so people appreciate a card that emphasizes the challenges of parenting vs. hiding them. Plus a lot of people seem to appreciate that the cards are a fun thing we do together as a family. After all, the family that plays together stays together!

Image credits: kakalacky_guy

P.S. They also have a family Youtube channel that carries some of the same themes. For example, check out how they once recut the Godzilla trailer using footage of their toddler here.

A lot of people would like to be on their mailing list

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kjorn avatar
Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

each year my grandparents told my wife and i to NOT give them Christmas gift. to keep the money for ourself. and get angry if we did give them a gift. so 7 or 8 years ago we decided to make a calendar with all the pictures of our kids that we took that year. they were so happy they didn't get bother to be angry. so each year now i have to make one my grandparents, one for my mother, one for my mother in law. and they would be so disappointed if i Don't do it.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's perfect. Personal gifts are the best; it's like giving/sharing a piece of yourself as a gift.

Load More Replies...
bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd definitely want to be on their Christmas mailing list 🤩 And I'm also a little jealous

charlieroy avatar
Roy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is what everyone should do... everything is beautiful in its original way....nowadays people try to show-off that they are rich, manner-full, and disciplined but the reality is that makes Christmas boring... you can enjoy it only when you are real...like old school :-)

cbragg1974 avatar
C Bragg
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this idea a lot better than the perfect Christmas pictures sent out by families! I want fun and tacky!

llsewer avatar
Jaguarundi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parents and their kids BEING parents and their kids??? This must be stopped before it becomes normal!!! I wish everyone could have as much fun as this family seems to be having! (so jealous as well). ; = )

jdhidaka avatar
Joley Hidaka
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EXCELLENT! these are clever and funny and they aren't mocking anyone but themselves (unlike that other couple who dresses up as rude stereotypes). Great job!

erinsheppard avatar
Erin Sheppard
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG Do they not kn ow how dangerous it is to have those babies on the roof!!! I am totally kidding!!!

marybethminton avatar
Mary-Elizabeth Minton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG I just love this! Traditional family photos and cards are beautiful don't get me wrong. I just love seeing fun, joy and laughter in families. Laughter is one of the greatest feelings in the world. This family makes their cards relateable. I understand families wanting to look nice, etc but it often feels like too many people feel the need to "Keep up with the Jones" sadly. I would rather see the true person they are shine through in a cards though.

luciarivero avatar
Lucia Rivero
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are totally trying to give christmas spirit now that's so sweet

luyendao avatar
Lu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very cool...let’s see if I can get my 10 year to get up that roof.

kjorn avatar
Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

each year my grandparents told my wife and i to NOT give them Christmas gift. to keep the money for ourself. and get angry if we did give them a gift. so 7 or 8 years ago we decided to make a calendar with all the pictures of our kids that we took that year. they were so happy they didn't get bother to be angry. so each year now i have to make one my grandparents, one for my mother, one for my mother in law. and they would be so disappointed if i Don't do it.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's perfect. Personal gifts are the best; it's like giving/sharing a piece of yourself as a gift.

Load More Replies...
bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd definitely want to be on their Christmas mailing list 🤩 And I'm also a little jealous

charlieroy avatar
Roy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is what everyone should do... everything is beautiful in its original way....nowadays people try to show-off that they are rich, manner-full, and disciplined but the reality is that makes Christmas boring... you can enjoy it only when you are real...like old school :-)

cbragg1974 avatar
C Bragg
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this idea a lot better than the perfect Christmas pictures sent out by families! I want fun and tacky!

llsewer avatar
Jaguarundi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parents and their kids BEING parents and their kids??? This must be stopped before it becomes normal!!! I wish everyone could have as much fun as this family seems to be having! (so jealous as well). ; = )

jdhidaka avatar
Joley Hidaka
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EXCELLENT! these are clever and funny and they aren't mocking anyone but themselves (unlike that other couple who dresses up as rude stereotypes). Great job!

erinsheppard avatar
Erin Sheppard
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG Do they not kn ow how dangerous it is to have those babies on the roof!!! I am totally kidding!!!

marybethminton avatar
Mary-Elizabeth Minton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG I just love this! Traditional family photos and cards are beautiful don't get me wrong. I just love seeing fun, joy and laughter in families. Laughter is one of the greatest feelings in the world. This family makes their cards relateable. I understand families wanting to look nice, etc but it often feels like too many people feel the need to "Keep up with the Jones" sadly. I would rather see the true person they are shine through in a cards though.

luciarivero avatar
Lucia Rivero
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are totally trying to give christmas spirit now that's so sweet

luyendao avatar
Lu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very cool...let’s see if I can get my 10 year to get up that roof.

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