We hope you had a pleasant Christmas and a wonderful holiday season! But sometimes, no matter how hard we try, the holidays can end up being slightly disappointing. Because they don’t live up to our Christmas spirit expectations. Or the hype. Whether you’ve got the holiday blues or just need a good old dose of humor, we’ve got you covered.
Bored Panda compiled this mega-list of the very best Christmas fails and funny accidents that are sure to improve your mood and get your spirits up. After all, there’s nothing like a bit of laughter, and comparing your own funny fails to that of others to help you realize life isn’t as bad as it might seem.
So grab yourself a cup of hot choccy and some gingerbread cookies and start scrolling. Upvote the funny photos that you've liked the best and let us know in the comments why you liked them. Oh, and be sure to spread some Christmas time joy around by sharing this post with your loved ones if you think they’ll enjoy it. Bored Panda spoke with Joshua Becker, creator of Becoming Minimalist, about managing expectations during the holidays, talking with children about the importance of giving vs. the importance of Christmas presents, as well as how to make sure that you're not disappointed celebrating the New Year. Scroll down for the full in-depth interview.
We know you love Christmas fails, so when you’re done with this list, check out our previous one from the year before right here. It’s got some more great stuff that you’re bound to enjoy - from inappropriate Christmas decorations to hilarious gift fails.
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Not Only Did Grandpa Already Have This Shirt, He Was Wearing It When He Unwrapped It
Ok I am still calling that a win cos if he's wearing the same shirt then you know he likes it!!
Exactly! When he wears out the one he's wearing he won't have to worry about replacing it.
Load More Replies...He's smiling so he's happy! Or at least thinks it's funny.
That's why I like t give - and recieve - bottles full of spirits as presents. It doesn't matter one bit if you get doubles,
When I find a shirt/pants that I really like, I want to have more than one. Definitely a win!
Gift I Received. Wrapped In A Such A Way That It Appears As If Linus And Patty Are Getting It On In Front Of Marcie
I literally just laughed and almost spit out my coffee.
Load More Replies...And why doesn't Marcie just join in? You know she wants too!
Load More Replies...Merry Christmas, Mom
And they unwrapped themselves so they ruined her surprise... I would love them anyway :)
Load More Replies...They stopped the robbers who tried to steal Christmas. That's their story and they're sticking to it!
I'm surprised the entire mantel of decorations wasn't decimated. Good dogs!
"I don’t think the trick is to “lower" expectations. Or at least, that’s not the phrasing I would use. It is important to keep “reasonable" expectations and to be clear on our goals for the season," Becker of Becoming Minimalist told Bored Panda. "All the commercials on TV portray these picture-perfect Christmas scenes with family and decoration and endless smiles. But that’s rarely reality."
"When we set reasonable expectations for the season (taking into account our family dynamics, limited budget, and available free time), we’re less likely to think perfect is even possible. And when we get clear on our most important goal for the season (whether that be faith-based, family-based, or personal-based), we are more likely to achieve it."
Grandma Likes To Get Us Puzzles For Christmas. She Thought It Was An Elf
We Left Some Christmas Decorations Out In The Driveway Last Night Which I Just Remembered When I Turned On My Car This Morning. I Just About Crapped My Pants
My Wife And I Have A Tradition Of Picking Out The Ugliest Tree At The Tree Farm. This Year We Hit A Grand Slam
That's honestly a nice tradition. Poor tree doesn't get left out.
My Hubby saw the price of Christmas trees a few years ago and was not happy. 'It's a dead tree you're gonna just throw into the forest after Christmas.' So, I have had Oh Lychee Tree, Oh Lemon Tree, Oh Lime Tree, and now Oh Noni Tree. He's happier and my yard is happy.
I read about this "Pick the ugly one so it does not have to be sad"-thing a lot. Has anyone of you ever considered that those trees get KILLED. You dont do them a favour. You basically say: "You have seen all your peers getting killed, but somehow got away? Guess what: Today is not your lucky day *chainsaw noises *"
We were also interested to know how we should help children understand that Christmas is about the spirit of giving, not about getting gifts. Here's what Becker had to say. "Most importantly, we change how we talk about the day and the season. As parents, it is so easy to unintentionally throw out phrases all December long like, 'Maybe you’ll get that Christmas… Let’s just put that on your Christmas list… Are you excited for presents this year… You need to be good so Santa will bring you presents this year.'"
"By the time Christmas day comes along, we’ve built up all these expectations about the number of presents our kids are going to receive. If you want your kids to learn Christmas is about giving, spend as much time talking with them about gift ideas they could give to others as you do talking about the gifts they might receive. Take them shopping with you for others. Let them see you being extra generous to other people throughout the season. And never let them see you complain about giving… only let them see experiencing and celebrating the joy of giving time, money, and gifts to others."
When The Christmas Card Photo Shoot With The Sheep Goes Wrong
I think it looks on point. I would send out that exact photo as Christmas card if I was her.
This is an amazing moment that will be remembered, brought up at family reunions and basically eternally embarrass the subject.
Went To The Office Holiday Party. Didn't Know Corporate Was Going To Be There
Okay, maybe not in front of the clients, but at an office Christmas party? If the lords of corporate have a problem with it, then they are the problem. I think the suit is awesome.
Most clients are going to love it as well. People either have a sense of humour or not - client or corporate.
Load More Replies...If corporate has a problem with that, you are working for the wrong company.
When Your Parents Wrap Your Presents Last Minute
Lastly, Becker gave us some good advice about how we should look at New Year's Eve and about starting 2020. "In many regards, January 1st is just another day. There is nothing particularly magical about the clock turning over to 12:00, other than the cheering and kissing and confetti."
"What a new year does provide is a natural time to reflect on the trajectory of your life over the last year and chart a new (and maybe better) direction for the next one. So celebrate that opportunity and make the most of it. No matter the external circumstances, whether you are with friends, family, or by yourself, you are in control of the next year of your life. New Year’s reminds us of that fact."
He added: "Also, stay in control of yourself on New Year's Eve. Have a good time, but don’t overdo alcohol, narcotics, or peer pressure. The last thing you want to do on December 31st is something you’ll regret on January 1st."
These Ho Ho Ho's On Wrapping Paper Are Confetti. There Are 1000 Little Ho’s All Over My House, There Are Ho’s On My Kids, There Will Be Ho’s Forever
As a pharmacist all I see is a lot of alcoholic functional groups all over the place. So beware of the hydrogen bonds.
Just curious Fatemeh, do you enjoy being a pharmacist? Is it a hard career to get in to? A lot of schooling? Is the money good? My daughter is 16, and I've mentioned possibly her going to school to be a pharmacist, but I don't know much about it. She'll (hopefully) be the first in the family to go to college, and I just want to help guide her in a good direction. :)
Load More Replies...My son-in-law gave me a present wrapped in paper with ho, ho, ho on it. He said he didn't put a tag on it because my name was already all over the paper. True story. He's my favorite. Lol
glitter and confetti are the Herpes of the art world. Just when you think it is gone, there it is again!
My Dad Made Me These "Decorative Trees" In His Workshop For Christmas
I think he just needed to come up with something,when the family accidentally found those. 🤔
Tom's 1st Christmas
He cares! He loved that green kitty toy they got for him, can't you see?
Load More Replies...Omg. This is my friends cat. I held him when he was only a few days old. His sister in the picture is called willow. I can't believe tom is famous
Whether it's a photo shoot gone wrong or your cat demolishing your Christmas tree again (damn you, Mr. Mittens! Never again!), some things are bound to ruin your mood, unless you try to see the funny side of the disaster.
While it’s impossible to avoid all holiday mishaps or to foresee your cat going all King Kong on your Christmas tree (I mean, who could have predicted that? Like, seriously, it was so unexpected), there are some things that we can do and some shifts in our perspective that we can make to avoid being seriously disappointed during Christmas-time.
My Cousin Was *wrapping Presents
no offense, but i could make something better than that AND colour the stuff on it in. and do it under 10 minutes.
Merry Christmas!
When You Have Your Kid Paint Wrapping Paper But It Ends Up Looking Like You Murdered The UPS Guy And Stole His Packages
UPS has to pay for a lot of funerals. Then, there’s also the cost of training all the replacements.
Load More Replies...I did this before with my son and this was the result. I am glad to see that happens to other families. :)
Just remember next time to hide the red paint. Ha ha.
Load More Replies...Joshua Becker writes on Becoming Minimalist that even though the pace of the holiday season might be hectic and that we might feel that rushing around like a headless chicken seems to be expected of us, we have to do our best to slow down. That involves having fewer things to do and intentionally cutting out some errands. Be a fashion chicken, not a headless one.
Becker also notes that perfection is impossible. So you shouldn’t expect perfection even if it’s something you aim for. Your home will never be perfectly clean just in time for the guests to arrive. Your kids will never be fully satisfied with the presents they get, even if they love what they got. And there’s bound to be at least one minor argument in the family because of all the stress.
Those "Reindeer"
I couldn't even see the reindeer at first! It just looked like butts with pitchforks!
I Put A Christmas Story Lamp In My Front Window And Not One Of My Neighbors Recognized It. Several Have Stopped To Ask Why I Have A “Weird, Gross Leg” On Display
You should see what it looks like from out here.
Load More Replies...That, my friends, is the soft glow of electric sex in the window!!👍
It's from the movie A Christmas Story. Most Americans would get the reference.
Load More Replies...Of course it is! It's from a movie called "A Christmas Story"
Load More Replies...You definitely need new neighbors if they don't understand the reference.
How could they not, that movies played every year for the whole day on Christmas Day... for over 25 years now! These neighbors are blind apparently.
Load More Replies...Isnt That Called Arson?
In that case, the sign should be in the liquor aisle!
Load More Replies...oh by golly have a holly jolly christmas drive to the emergency room cause you burnt your face off
Yule be the toast of the town with our inexpensive new little invention which will light up your house for the holidays for low low prize of just $13.99.* (*insurance not included.)
Walmart pricing being heavily influenced by Neiman Marcus, I.e., Needless Markup.
That’s why it’s so important to find time to rest and recharge. Whether its a power-nap or sleeping in, you have to get your beauty sleep if you want to weather the holidays with a smile on your face. Recharging also includes snacking on biscuits and drinking hot choccy from time to time. After all, it’s hard to find the silver lining in disappointing situations on an empty stomach.
My Cat Got Stuck In The Wall On Christmas Day
The basement kitchenette ceiling was left open when it was built a few months ago so he climbed onto the cupboards and into the ceiling before falling into the wall.
This was at my mom's house and he was stuck for about 2 hours while we tried to figure out his exact location and cut a hole to release him. He is perfectly fine and even tried to go back in the hole!
Someone told me that his cat had climbed up the built-in kitchen cupboard and fell behind it. He had to saw a hole into the cupboard to get the cat out. Half an hour later, he had the unexpected chance to use the hole again as is second cat also fell behind the cupboard.
I had this happen with 2 kittens I was fostering, had to tear down the drywall in that section to get them out because we weren't sure if there were any crossbeams in that section where they might have stopped. They were so scared they were totally silent. They're still with me 3 years later - I decided if I had to renovate for them then they might as well stay.
Mom, me and the dog locked ourselves out on Christmas day. She had the car keys so we drove to the police station and we had the fire department climb over the balcony and opened the door.
my question is why does everyone seem to be happy about this? if my cat got stuck i would have posted it like this" OMG MY CAT GOT STUCK IN THE WALL I WAS SO TERRIFIED I WAS CRYING" i love my cat so i would have been panicking
My Cousin Got A Drone For Christmas
I totally laughed too much at this, which was bad I know! But it just reminds me of the time I got a curling brush for my Christmas. Didn't know how to use it and used it like you would curling tongs and wound the hair round it!! That was not the right way to use it - it had to be cut out my hair!!
The Disappointment In My Face After Getting The Same Shirt I'm Wearing For Christmas When I Was 11
The grandpa looked much happier with his gift
Load More Replies...the disappointment when you receive a piece of clothing as a gift when you are a kid
Well, there are kids which would be overjoyed about clothes
Load More Replies...Clothes as presents are only lame when you have plenty of money and can buy them easily enough when needed.
Load More Replies...I hate when ppl gift CLOTHES for Christmas! Especially to kids! The most boring s**t ever!
Whoever bought a boy that age a boring button up shirt for Christmas deserves that face.
This Basically Sums Up Traveling With Our Toddler. Merry Christmas
Consider yourself lucky. Mine would have been scooting backwards at 10 knots across the polished floor towards the nearest exit.
Christmas,Madrid,stop-over,huge crowds and confusion,4 year old caught just before boarding flight to Cartagena,Colombia.....grandparents waiting in Copenhagen.
Load More Replies...And no one around even notices. We have been there. Usually happened in the grocery store.
Run over by a frenzied shopper heading for Toys R Us not realizing they closed shop years ago!
Merry Christmas Everyone
My Boyfriend Said He Made Holiday Cookies
These are not fails they are awesome!!! I particularly love the eyes on Santa and Rudolph. Rudolph because he's been impaled on the tree, Santa because he watched.
This made me laugh way more than it should have. And so did all the comments!
Buddy At Work Secret Santa Party Legit Just Got Gifted The Same Shirt He Is Wearing
First Granpa, than the kid, now him... is that some kind of elaborate prank???
He looks happy with it and that's what's most important. Now he has both a spare shirt and an interesting story to tell
Hmm - I'm not sure I'd agree with you about the words 'interesting story'.
Load More Replies...I Used Chocolate Bells Instead Of Kisses. Is It Me Or Did I Just Make Christmas B***s?
Oh thank God they censored b**bs. Can't have anyone seeing those!
They should have just censored the whole photo...
Load More Replies...Seriously, boobs is a bad word now? Gun, violence, swearing, killing, gore, all fine, but beware of the boobs!
Your right, they dont look like books, they look like b**bs
Load More Replies...Hey, maybe this is what was in that "TitS" wrapping paper covered gift
On the upside, you now have a side career in catering for stag and hen parties...
This Is How Well Our Christmas Card Photoshoot Is Going
My godson finally gave up on getting his 2 ½ year old son to cooperate. The card has a shot of his obviously unhappy son, hair all messed up. Sitting on a nice bench surrounded by decorations and GLARING at the camera with the caption "Nailed It!"
People should stop torturing their kids for the photo and their friends and family with the photo.
Load More Replies...Brother And His Boyfriend, Maybe?
Don't be rude. It's available in every southern state!
Load More Replies...Christmas Ice Marbles Expectations vs. Reality
I feel like this is way more complicated than it looks.
Load More Replies...Also, I once read somewhere that if you boil water first, you get super clear ice cubes. Maybe that's what the people from the nice ice marbles did too?
I have also read that you get clear ice cubes if you use sparkling mineral water. One day might bother trying!
Load More Replies...This actually works if you do it properly. Add the water to the balloon first, then add the food colouring. Try not to shake it around too much. Freeze for at least a few days before removing the balloon.
Yep! And to get the clear crystal look you have to set them in the snow to freeze rather than out in open. Learned that by accident.
Load More Replies...I tried this too with similar results. When the red ball melted in the snow, everyone kept asking who fell and got hurt.
Marry Christmas!
Wonder if taping it would work. It used to be accepted in my country when I was a kid.
As long as you can show them both halves, you can get a new replacement for torn bills at regional state banks, I'm told.
Load More Replies...Not a problem at all. You'll have to take it to a bank anyway, since hardly any shop accepts 500 Euro notes.
Is it because they aren’t produced anymore? If you spend $460 and pay with a $500 bill then i can’t understand why they’d not take it. If you paid with a $500 bill but your total was $26 then I can see why they just wouldn’t have change for that
Load More Replies...Any one else notice that the caption for this post spelled merry with an a??
Yes. Check your spelling peop!e.!.PLEASE.! So irritating!!!!!!
Load More Replies...Yep, it also won't fold properly and if you take one out of your wallet all of them come out and end up flying around the beach!! Not that this happened or anything...
Load More Replies...Who opens a present like that? Obviously what was in it was bendy like the wrapping paper. Open the tape.
My Mom Is Struggling To Comprehend Secret Santa
My mom wanted to name her second set of twins "Surprise" and "Welcome".
“No Kids It’s Not Santa Just Uncle Jeff Trying To Get The Damn Tree"
Merry Xmas From My Family To Yours
oh nooooo!! that's why i always put a baking sheet under those disposable pans. they're so flimsy you can never safely pull them out of the oven.
"I Don't Feel Like Messing With The Whole Tree, I'll Just Do One Of Those Wall Trees I Saw On The Internet"
To Cook A Christmas Turkey
This Church Ad
My Neighbors Christmas Spirit Is Bigger Than His Door
Still gonna be a problem getting it back out of the house after Christmas unless you want to make even more of a mess cutting the darn thing apart lol
Load More Replies...How My Neighbor's Christmas Decorations Are Connected
My friend lives on this street!!!! Thats cool! (not the reindeer)
Spent Hours Making These Cupcakes And My Aunt Put Them In The Oven So They Were Out Of The Way, Yet The Oven Was On And They Melted
People using ovens as cupboards are always going to have these moments.
Load More Replies...Aunt ate them and then invented this elaborate cover-up story so no one wouldn't notice?
Load More Replies...Oh it is sad. But you'll be having a good laughter about it by the end of January.
Our Stab At A Crescent Roll Christmas Tree. Pretty Sure It Looks Like A Dinosaur
Trying To Watch My Kids Christmas Concert
Many schools near where I live do not allow this due to privacy and safety reasons. Whilst it does suck at times not being able to have photos or videos of something your child is involved in, I do understand why. Especially with people putting everything in social media.
People should live in the moment more. Sometimes something should just be a memory.
Load More Replies...See, this is one of the reasons the whole "Goodwill to all mankind" nonsense doesn't work for me.
absurd. the school should have someone dedicated to filming and not allow the audience to do it. then the school could send it to the parents.
u can "watching" them only on phone screen, during concert u can only film them
Closing The Oven Door With Your Foot Whilst Cooking Christmas Dinner
I Lost A Bet Tonight. I Bet My Wife The Tree Would Be Up 6 Hours Before The Cats Demolished It. They Waited For 7 Hours. Clean Up At 2 Am
The first year we had our cats, I told my hubby "Don't put any ornaments up that you don't want broken" just assume that tree is coming down and decorate accordingly. We've had the cats for 11 Christmases now and they never did knock it down.
Why put up a tree if you knew it would end like this and not add any "protective" features? Not very clever couple...
C'mon. What if nothing had happened ???
Load More Replies...A Friend Of Mine Just Sent Me This. It Was The Christmas Dinner
What is even going on? Was that a glass table? Pulled up to the counter? Why?
Hot pan, glass table (pulled up to the counter for extra work space, I'm sure)
Load More Replies...My friend had a glass patio table that exploded on them because they put a little canister fire on it. It was outdoors luckily.
It looks like they brought a patio table inside for a place to put extra food. Wouldn't a folding table be easier?
Waking Up To This After Accidentally Leaving The Window Open. Merry Christmas
How about auto shut windows when you lock the car? Manufacturers - seems some people might find this helpful.
Christmas Tree Expectations vs. Reality
I would question if they did this just for a funny picture and didn't finish setting it up
You are supposed to spread the smaller branches out and it becomes very full...he has not set it up properly, nothing wrong with the tree.
I have the exact same tree; you just need to splay the individual fronds out as they each have wire in them.
Paul Hollywood's Kransekake
Remember Jurassic Park III when they try to find the satellite phone?
Yes yes I do. This looks more like a dog, who happens to have diarrhea, eat my keys version.
Load More Replies...I like the first one- never seen before- the pile of puke/poop though.. wow
Merry Christmas
Yeah you did when you paid for spelling lessons.
Load More Replies...Not even remotely close! That's some major false advertising right there. I'd be furious if I planned a visit to the top pic and ended up with the bottom. Idk what that place is, but hopefully you went there for more than just to see that disappointment.
It's still pretty good. Clearly you have to buy several of them to get the effect shown in the ad.
It's a place you go, not something you buy:-)
Load More Replies...Merry Christmas Eve, Y'all!
Well, on the bright side, it didn't get any farther than a couple of cabinet doors. That was certainly lucky.
I don't understand what's going on with the doors to the cabinets...? The colors and stuff are weird because something exploded?
When Your Mum (Santa) Accidentally Writes Your Name On Your Little Brothers Christmas Present
It might just be the small clothes but this guy looks like a kid with tattoos...
We Tried
Got A Game For Christmas That Didn’t Even Have The Game, Parents Paid 60$ For A Plastic Shell
Happened to my best friend a few years ago. She bought a game from Best Buy, and there was no disc in it when she got home and opened it. Didn't bother trying to take it back, as they certainly wouldn't have believed her anyways. It's now my biggest fear whenever I buy my kids a video game. :/
No, the games are TINY. And who would think to weigh them, especially if it was sealed?
Load More Replies...I had that on a sims game, no disk or code and I had already come home after 3 hours bus drive and had no plans to fetch another bus next day back cause holy molly does it cost for a trip to Bergen witht he bus or boat.
If they bought this off craigslist, you get what you get. If they bought it from a video game store, take the case back and demand either the game or a refund!!
Dragged My Husband Christmas Shopping On A Hangover. He Was A Great Help
What were you expecting of someone with a hangover. Next time leave the fool at home.
My husband just stands right next to me and stares, and stares, and stares... You tell me which is worse - sleeping quietly out of the way, or staring and staring and staring?
Opened The Wrapping On A Fancy New Book With A Pen. I Hate Myself
Keep it shut tight and sandpaper it. WARNING! I have no idea if that would actually work but it sounds good.
My Brother Fell From The Attic And Landed In My Room.
If you had used the portal gun, you won't left a hole at all.
I think it's the portal gun from the video game "Portal".
Load More Replies...Not Quite The Idyllic Festive Image I Had In My Head Of How Making Gingerbread Would Turn Out
its too much butter that does this, the butter melts and makes the cookies spread before the cookies can harden... (source: I have made a lot of gingerbread)
Load More Replies...I see The Abdomidale snowman if not Big Foot or The Marshmallow Man.
Our Christmas fail was getting a new Mini Schnauzer puppy earlier in the year and then being naive enough to put the Nativity Scene we'd had for years under the tree. One sheep and two Wise men bit the dust while Joseph and Baby Jesus had teeth marks on them. My parents never replaced the set and kept using it year after year...but up higher on a bookcase.
Our Christmas fail was getting a new Mini Schnauzer puppy earlier in the year and then being naive enough to put the Nativity Scene we'd had for years under the tree. One sheep and two Wise men bit the dust while Joseph and Baby Jesus had teeth marks on them. My parents never replaced the set and kept using it year after year...but up higher on a bookcase.
