- Ray decides to take a family picture for Marie's Christmas present. But she didn't want Debra's family to be in it.
- Ray Barone is thrilled when he hits upon the perfect gift - a family photo that his mom and dad can treasure forever. But, when the day arrives to take the picture, Ray tries in vain to keep the peace when Debra and Marie have very conflicting opinions about the meaning of "family" in family photo.
- Ray and Robert fight about what to get as a Christmas present for Marie and Frank. Ray is wrong about the gift every year, and hence hangs around his parents around Christmas time trying to fish for hints. Ray decides to get a family portrait picture taken for Marie's Christmas gift, which Debra doesn't like much as she doesn't want another reminder of an awful afternoon spent with Frank & Marie. Ray has his mind made up as he heard Marie say that she would want a family portrait photo. Robert wants to get a hammock.
Ray and Debra have worked out an alternate year system for Christmas. They spend every alternate Christmas with Ray's and Debra's parents. This year it is Marie and Frank's turn.
Debra suggests spending Christmas Eve with her parents and Christmas day with Frank and Marie. Marie acts disappointed, as they won't be back home before 10 am on Christmas day. Marie says that she would miss out on the kids coming down on Christmas morning and seeing their happy faces when they open up their presents. Marie says that Debra is killing Christmas. Ray does not support Debra.
To avenge this, she invites her parents Lois (Katherine Helmond) & Warren (Robert Culp) into the family picture without informing Ray. Ray has hired a professional photographer Steven Golden (Lew Schneider) for the occasion. Marie hasn't allowed Amy in the picture as she is not a Barone yet. Robert came in his police uniform as he was coming straight from work, but Ray believes that this is because he wanted to sabotage his gift.
Marie is angry seeing Debra's parents and tells Ray to talk to Debra. Lois is super excited as there are no photos of all of them together. Marie says that this was supposed to be her present and hence should be done her way.
Ray accuses Debra of deliberately riling Marie as revenge for the Christmas eve snub. Debra won't back down and neither would Ray. Debra says that her parents are part of the family and will be part of the picture. Ray says that Debra knew that Marie would react this way and this is why she invited her parents. Debra wants Ray to tell Marie that she does not get to decide who is and who is not part of the family.
Ray begs Marie that it is Christmas and Christmas is all about the family. Ray even suggests putting Debra's parents at the edge of the picture and later Marie can cut them out. Marie refuses to take the picture with Debra's parents in it. Marie says that she is not feeling very well and asks Ray to take the picture without her. Debra still refuses to back down. She will stand up for her parents. Ray starts assembling all the people for the picture. Ray drags Marie with her chair, into the picture. The Lois realizes that the background is blue and wants to change into her gray Pashmina.
Finally, Ray throws a angry fit and Robert makes fun of that. This makes everyone smile and the picture is finally taken.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
![Peter Boyle in Everybody Loves Raymond (1996)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjMyNTYzOTAwNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNzkxNzQ2MjE@._V1_QL75_UY133_CR44,0,90,133_.jpg)