Seriously, how cute is this Christmasy decor photo from Michele Kelly, @micheletravkelly on IG?! Can you spot the Rustic Walnut growth chart next to the tree? Make sure to always take pictures of your holiday decor... you'll want to look back on that later, too!

Taking Your Own Family Photos this Christmas Might Be Easier Than You Think!

Holiday photo shoots can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful. That's not to say you'll regret it if you spring for one: there's really nothing as special as capturing these moments as they pass, especially if you do it consistently at the same time of year. 

But if this is not your year for professional photos, or you missed your favorite photographer's deadline and are now stuck shooting them yourself, fear not. You don't actually need a super fancy camera and a ton of experience to DIY your family photos this Christmas. 

Here are top tips from some of our favorite bloggers, tastemakers, and family photographers to nail your at-home holiday photo shoots with babies, toddlers, and big kids this season.

How to Take Your Baby's Holiday Pics at Home
Family + lifestyle blogger + influencer Jenny Gerson of Our Life in Rose Gold weighs in on making Baby shine without expensive props or lighting setups.

Photo: Instagram/Our Life in Rose Gold

• I prefer to shoot small babies indoors this time of year because in most climates it's just too cold to do otherwise. Mornings are best!
• Lay Baby on a bed or other secure surface (the floor works great!) adjacent a window with natural light flooding it.
• Accessorize by creating a background out of a faux fur or white silk blanket.
• Add Christmas tree ornaments or Hanukkah accessories for fun!

Nail Your DIY Christmas Photo Shoot with Toddlers
Blogger and mom-tog Holly Edge of Our Beautiful Mundane knows a thing or two about perfecting Christmas pics of littles. With a four- and one-year-old on her hands, she can wrangle toddlers + turn out top pics with these easy tactics:

Photo: Instagram/OurBeautifulMundane

• Anticipate that your toddler is not going to sit still + cooperate! Movement + fun are key with this age group
• Go somewhere that's going to give a “Christmassy” vibe, even if your child is running + twirling throughout the shoot. Ex: Christmas tree farm, or outdoor Christmas tree section at Home Depot/Lowe’s
• Kids love to talk Santa, so he's your best bet if you want seated pics! 
• Ask questions! Thinking makes them pause a minute, so be sure to ask if your toddler knows where Santa lives, or ask them to name his reindeer so you can get a few quick snaps in while they sit still.
• Kids love to lay under the tree + look up at the lights. That’s almost always a sweet, easy capture, because they’re distracted with such a cool view. 

Get Big Kids to Get Along for the Perfect Family Photos
Mom-fluencer and small shop owner Ashlynne Dezelske of Trendy Twins Company is a mom of twins (@madison.mackenzie.twins) plus their older sister, so she has the kids photo shoot thing down pat. Here's how she makes it work:

• Go for matching tees, fun accessories, and bright colors. Give them a few choices in what to wear so they're likelier to feel involved and have fun!
• Bigger kids can follow commands easier than little ones; you just have to make sure it's something they actually want to do! I will often ask my girls to play ring-around-the-rosy or tickle each other. This creates really fun pictures that don't feel stiff like if they were just posing.
• Treats are a big incentive! At this age, I don't feel guilty giving them a piece of candy or other small treat after taking pictures -- if they know it's coming, they're likelier to participate and help me get the shot quick.
• Get in on the fun. I will often set up my camera's self-timer and join in. The kids tend to love taking pictures with me in them, so these shoots are easy to master because their smiles are genuine.

Have more tips for making the most of your DIY holiday photo shoot? Tell us in the comments!

Shopping for moms can be both a joy and a drama. Especially when she's the type who says "I already have everything, just bring yourself!" when you ask her what she might like for the holidays. If you're looking for gift guides for moms, we've got the best unique presents to make her smile at a variety of price points.

Shop unique handmade and other special pieces for moms of little ones, those who never take the time out for self care, and even the Glam-Mom who really does have it all -- but deserves something special!

For the New Mom...

Photo: Twinty Photography 

The pregnant mama or mom of a newborn could really use sleep, but since you can't offer her that this Christmas, do something sweet and simple that celebrates this time in her life.

New moms love things like: 

• A manicure/pedicure gift certificate
• Free babysitting 
• A cozy robe to pad around the house in on chilly winter days
• This beautiful baby book to help her mark the important moments
  
  

For the Overwhelmed Mama...

She needs to slow down, so focus on things that can facilitate that process for her. Moms of toddlers, elementary kids, and teens get so caught up in carpools and soccer practice, potlucks and homework help, deadlines and date nights, it's often that they don't have time to relax and take care of themselves.

Try these self care gifts for busy moms:

• Spa day (with champagne!)
• A gift certificate to a local coffee shop 
• A beautiful leather-bound journal for writing down her thoughts
• Wind-down candle, like these favorites of ours by Mejori 

 For the Mom Who Really DOES Have it All...

Photo: Growing Up Hollywood

So she loves to treat herself. That's wonderful! But won't it be an amazing surprise when you turn up at her doorstep this holiday season with a totally unique and special gift to let her know how much she means to you and everyone else around her? 

Consider these uniquely cool gifts for the decked out mama:

• Book a class (like wine tasting or wreath making) that you can do together
• Have fresh flowers sent to her weekly or monthly with Bouqs
• Handmade "mama stack" bracelets are durable, waterproof, and super cute!
• Geode State ornaments, or practically anything from Uncommon Goods, one of our favorite places to shop

Don't forget to pick up some goodies for yourself this season, too!

At White Loft, one of the best parts of running a small shop is having the opportunity to see our customers put our items to use. The Instagram mom community has been especially amazing, and the mom bloggers and influencers we see setting up their growth charts and other White Loft goodies throughout the home seriously gives me all the feels!

If you're big on Pinterest and Joanna Gaines, housewares trends and baby room art, you'll definitely want to scroll through this post featuring some of my favorite child space inspiration featuring our wood and canvas child growth markers. Remember, these personalized heirloom gifts are handmade with love by one mom for parents everywhere -- so I'm always up for questions and ideas if you have any.

Mom's life is just about the best, but it can also be tiring, stressful, and downright confusing. While we navigate the beautiful waters of raising our babies together, I love to turn to experts for different ways to fix some of my top parenting problems. 

From how to survive a day at the beach with a baby to which snacks and activities are best to pack for a road trip with toddlers, to organizing tips and cleaning hacks, today's mom bloggers have some of the best ideas. Here are some of my favorites.

Every girl boss knows that your work space is almost as important as the actual work you're doing. Yes, lots of great hustle takes place on dining room tables and lap desks, in the wee hours of the night while rocking babies back to sleep while typing into cell phone memo apps, and on long road trips via voicemail.

But as you build your brand or chase your dream, keep in mind the goal of creating an oasis where you can put your thinking cap on, dig in deep, and go long. Your dream office or home workspace might not happen overnight or even this year or next, but get Pinning and make it a point to pull small pieces of your inspiration into whatever corner you find yourself working in now.

A glimpse inside my favorite way to travel -- with packing tips for weekend trips and more!

Texas summers are nothing if not hot -- and chock-full of things to do! We love getting out and about to make the most of our free time with and without the kids.

Living in Austin means frequent trips to Rudy's BBQ; developing a fierce love of the Longhorns; and of course breakfast tacos. But while making your summer plans, check out our list of the best goings-on in the city the next couple of months.

Hopefully, we'll see you out and about this season!

Now available, this handmade set of 13 extra-smooth wooden discs follows baby by the month - starting with “Hello World” through every month of their first year.