A seemingly festive holiday tradition took an unexpected turn when a subtle yet bold prank in a family’s Christmas card set the internet ablaze. The playful act, orchestrated by Amanda Cooper and her siblings, has sparked widespread debate, dividing opinions on whether it was a harmless joke or a disrespectful move.
Amanda Cooper, a travel and fashion influencer with over 14,000 Instagram followers, shared her family’s unconventional holiday photo on social media, unknowingly setting off a viral storm. What looked like an ordinary Christmas card revealed a twist upon closer inspection: her siblings were subtly flipping off the camera while posing alongside their children.
The prank, captured in a TikTok video Cooper posted on December 6, was an intentional departure from their mother’s tradition of meticulously coordinated holiday photo shoots. Cooper’s video quickly gained traction, amassing over 2.4 million views and sparking a heated discussion among viewers.
The Origins of the Prank
In an interview with Today, Cooper shared that the idea stemmed from a desire to inject humor into their otherwise picture-perfect family tradition. “I texted my siblings in a group chat and pitched the idea,” she explained. To ensure their mother, Melynda King, was caught off guard, the siblings devised a code word to coordinate their stunt.
Just before the photo was taken, Cooper called out the code phrase: “Everyone say, I want a hippopotamus for Christmas!” The siblings then discreetly raised their middle fingers, adding an unexpected twist to the family’s carefully staged photo.
Despite her reputation for crafting flawless holiday cards, King took the joke in stride. “I thought it was absolutely hilarious,” she said, appreciating the humor behind her children’s playful rebellion.
Mixed Reactions Online
Not everyone shared King’s amusement. The prank divided viewers, with some finding it funny and others deeming it disrespectful. Critics on TikTok and Instagram voiced concerns, calling the gesture inappropriate for a family setting.
“This would make me so sad,” one commenter lamented, while another labeled the prank “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.” Photographers also weighed in, pointing out the additional editing work such pranks could cause.
Others, however, applauded the creativity and humor. “This is brilliant! A family tradition with a twist,” one supporter commented. Another noted, “It’s refreshing to see a family not take themselves too seriously.”
The debate extended beyond the prank itself, sparking conversations about the role of humor and individuality in family traditions.
Humor vs. Tradition
The incident highlights a common tension in family dynamics: balancing long-standing traditions with personal expression. Some praised Cooper for her lighthearted approach, arguing that humor can strengthen familial bonds. Others felt the prank detracted from the sentimental value of holiday cards, which often serve as keepsakes representing love and togetherness.
For Cooper, the prank was all about creating a memorable moment. “We’ve been doing these coordinated photo shoots for years,” she explained. “This was just a way to make it different and unexpected.”
A Lasting Memory
Whether seen as irreverent or imaginative, the prank has become a part of the Cooper family’s holiday lore. It underscores the idea that family traditions don’t have to be perfect—they can be playful, messy, and unique.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: the Cooper family’s holiday card has left an indelible mark on their tradition and on those who witnessed it online. Whether future cards will feature similar surprises remains to be seen, but the family has undoubtedly proven they know how to keep the season interesting.
