Receiving a holiday card in the mail is supposed to be a fun-filled festive treat – and perhaps even a sweet reminder of just how much your loved ones are thinking of you during the holiday season.
However, for some, it seems that creating a Christmas card is so much more than a chance to share some warm well wishes, and actually serves as more of an opportunity to show off their creative flair and unique sense of humor, and generally let their freak flags fly.
That is certainly the case with these incredibly cringe-worthy examples, which feature a whole host of awkward, uncomfortable, and, at times, unbelievably unsuitable images and messages.
From the photo of a family pet mid-defecation to a rather terrifying image of a man peering out from behind a Christmas tree, made all the more creepy by the addition of the words, ‘Santa’s not the only one who knows when you’re sleeping’ – there is no shortage of holiday horror.
Here’s Santa! This man seemed to think that he was making a humorous play on the much-loved Christmas song Santa Claus is Coming to Town, but the result was actually terrifying
Spelling mistake? Rather than celebrating Santa Claus on their Christmas card, this trio chose to praise Satan instead – despite wearing some fun festive outfits
What the…? It’s tricky to explain exactly what is going on in this image, although it seems as though this group may have been attempting to pay tribute to the birth of Jesus
Ho ho no: One pair chose to show their varying techniques for dealing with Santa’s arrival, with the woman offering him a comfortable landing, while the man seemed to want to kidnap him
DIY disaster? Instead of using a festive film for inspiration for their card, this duo turned to Jack Nicholson’s thriller The Shining – and went the whole ten years with a hole in the door
Uncomfortable: This foursome, who are thought to be a family, put a rather risque, and inappropriate, spin on their Christmas card
Saucy: Just one man sharing his fondness for felines (and his apparent dislike of clothing) this festive season
‘Sent them anyways’: One poor young man revealed that his family chose to feature his then-girlfriend in their Christmas card shoot, only for them to break up shortly before the holidays
Something different: Not every Christmas needs to be classy and elegant – at least as far as this duo is concerned
Guess who! This family chose to have some fun with FaceSwap before sending out their rather peculiar portrait to their loved ones
Well that’s an interesting surprise: As well as sending out his family’s Christmas cards late, one man decided to add a picture of his dog Jake pooping
Gang’s all there! Clearly keen to include everyone, and everything, important in their lives, this trio of women featured a blow-up doll in their holiday shoot
Parental humor: No doubt plenty of other mothers and fathers can sympathize with this image
Spot the difference! It’s remarkable just how much these two youngsters look like their dad
Because human pyramids are so 2016: Rather than decorating a traditional tree, this group of gentlemen chose to dress up as one instead, complete with tinsel, ornaments and candles
Not fussed: This young man was no doubt keen not to put any pressure on his card recipients to feel as though they had to celebrate and have a happy holiday. How kind of him
Kids in control: Another set of parents eager to highlight the craziness of life with young children sent out this rather hilarious card
Hard knock life: The holiday season can take a truly severe toll on people – as John demonstrated in his card
It’s all gone to pot! Things took a rather disastrous turn in this family’s entertaining card
Santasaurus! You can’t help but be entertained by this family’s hilarious T-Rex shoot
Season’s greetings indeed: This family posed together in a dumbfounding holiday card
Was that really your best shot? Some opted to center their card around a completely mundane photo of themselves around the kitchen table
So hipster: One family donned all the hallmarks of trendy millenials for their holiday card, including an ‘I love kale’ tote bag, beanies and plaid shirts
Looks like a good time! These parents and their two kids apparently had a blast posing in front of a trailer for their holiday snap
All-inclusive: Some people designed a card for several major holidays, including St Patrick’s Day, the Fourth Of July, Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Easter
Duo: These two men donned their sharpest holiday vest to pose in this festive photo together
My best friend: One person opted to post with their dog to wish others a happy holiday
Sounds sincere: This chihuahua flashed a slightly scary grin while donning a Santa suit to with others a Merry Christmas