Family holiday photos are as much about the act of getting everyone together and smiling, eyes open, looking in the same direction at the same time, as they are the actual portrait. The fun is in the making of memories. For designer Marin Hopper, creator of Hayward, it was a strictly family-only affair, no stuffy studio setups or spotlights, even though said family was Hollywood royalty. It helps that dad, actor Dennis Hopper, was also a noted photographer. Here, Hopper shares her very first family Christmas card photo, taken when she was just six months old — sitting with, from left, Hopper, her mother Brooke Hayward and brothers Willie and Jeffrey Thomas — and other holiday memories, from car-tire Christmas trees to street lights indoor.

The backstory behind this picture…
The picture was taken in Hollywood, California. Every year, my father would settle us down, set up the shot with his Nikon camera on a tripod, and then take the picture of all of us together with the help of a self-timer. This is the first Christmas card photo he ever took of our family.

On the family tradition of holiday-card pictures…
My father made one every year with my mother to send out to family on the East Coast, in particular to my grandfather, Leland Hayward. He would frame the card that he received and place it on his mantle in his country house in New York, named Haywire House. There are many photos in my father’s photographic archives of our family sitting together for the annual Christmas card. It’s quite special for me to see us all together.

Fun anecdotes from holiday photo sessions…
During one Christmas card sitting, when I was about five years old, my father was desperately trying to get me to sit still while he was also attempting to take the photo, while simultaneously posing in it. I was running through the shot hysterically laughing and everyone was cracking up around me. It’s a hilarious Christmas moment. Years later, when I showed the contact sheet to my husband and daughter with me zooming through the frame like a Tasmanian devil, my father in hot pursuit, we laughed just as hard!

Favorite holiday memory growing up…
One Christmas morning, I woke up to discover that my father and mother had decided to buy all the tires from the Standard Oil station down the street. They wrapped them in gold foil, and made a giant circular tree out of all of radiant pile of glistening tires with presents stashed everywhere. They had a great knack for turning everyday objects into something unexpectedly beautiful and unusual. I always loved that about growing up at what everyone referred to as our “pop house” at 1712 N Crescent Heights.

And traditions we do today…
Having a big celebratory Christmas with family and friends on Christmas Day — and then heading out of town on Boxing Day to warmer climes, such as Mexico or Barbados.

My family’s holiday decor growing up…
My parents had installed a 1920s Art Nouveau street lamp in the foyer of our entrance hallway and we would spend hours stringing together popcorn and cranberries, along with boughs of pine trees to which we would attach ornaments in the shape of birds on top. We would wrap them together around the the street light. At one point we would put our presents there and use it as a kind of a nod to a tree.

Favorite gift ever received…
A pair of custom-made Gucci loafers in cherry red alligator, which I received at the age of seven — a present from my grandfather Leland Hayward. I couldn’t believe that he actually got them made for me. Divine! I will always remember how much I adored those shoes.

Go-to look for holiday parties now…
Black satin long or short dress with a pair of my favorite Buccellati cuffs.

Signature hostess gift…
My favorites are either Carl Aubock bookends, or one of his beautifully caned letter openers. I also love giving ceramics, for example a vase or set of small dishes. We have a wonderful selection made by Taos ceramic artist Logan Wannamaker, currently available at Hayward House at 131 East 70th street.

Explore more features from the Holiday Issue, past and present.