Last year I remember talking to my friend in early November about my struggle for finding ideas for my family holiday photos. I recall telling her, “I can’t stand in another field wearing another prairie dress.” Looking back, that formula is pretty magical and I don’t disparage anyone for continuing on with tradition. It did, however, encourage me to start thinking outside the box in terms of capturing memories of my little family. If you find yourself in a similar boat and want to mix up the usual family portrait session, embrace your creativity! We’ve put together a few ideas to get you started and hopefully inspire your own unique memories. Family Paintings Before there were family photos there were family paintings—and there are still so many cute and modern versions available on Etsy or through artists directly. We’re particularly partial to these beautiful custom Mother and Child portraits from our friend and AW22 collaborator Merrilee Liddiard. Peg Dolls I mean, how precious are these? They would make such a sweet memory to keep in your home for years to come. Plus, if you add more little babes to your family, you can easily add another doll to your collection. Embroidery A custom embroidery or cross stitch is a sweet alternative to family photos. You could do individual portraits and hang them all together or a group family portrait to display with pride. Puzzles A photo puzzle is basically two memories in one! Pick your favorite family photo and have it turned into a custom puzzle for the whole family to do together. It’s a win-win. Stickers Instead of sending out holiday cards, why not create custom stickers? They’re such a fun and creative way to share your “portraits”with family and friends. Our Golden Moments Challenge is another really sweet (+ manageable) way to get started with documenting your memories during this season of your life. Find out how to join in here.