UPDATED: 1:00 p.m. ET, Dec. 24, 2021 —

With the winter season officially in full swing, it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit by only sharing the nicest and kindest of sentiments with everybody, including and especially your family. However, with that said, honesty is always the best policy, for better or for worse.

And with Christmas here, especially in the middle of a global pandemic, that also means the return of the viral, seasonal social media sensation that is more popularly known as #ChristmasClapbacks.

Waiting on #BlackTwitter to bless my TL with those #ChristmasClapbacks pic.twitter.com/Kxon3WG4qo

— Naahledge (@Naahledge) December 25, 2019

What are #ChristmasClapbacks? I’m glad you asked.

Only added to the dictionary last year, Merriam Webster defines “clapback” as “a noun that derives from an earlier verb, clap back, which refers to the same thing: responding to a criticism with a withering comeback” and credits Ja Rule‘s 2003 song “Clap Back” as inspiration.

And so it’s only right that #ChristmasClapbacks have officially become a thing every holiday season.

The viral sensation has taken over social media for the past few years with the most imaginative and clever (and hilariously true) memes and gifs to fit pretty much any Christmas scenario. Yep, in this day and age, a holiday isn’t a holiday without memes taking over the internet. Who needs Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen when you have the creative minds of people on social media? That is the true gift of the holidays.

There’s no better time when that old saying may that be truer than during Christmas, a period when families tend to let their hair down and ahead of the new year. And if you need a reminder before you sit down for your holiday meal with your family, look no further than the internet.

All of which leads us to this year’s edition of #ChristmasClapbacks, a natural progression from the tamer but equally as funny #ChristmasWithBlackFamilies memes and gifs — not to be confused with the hilarious #ChristmasWithBlackFamilies sketch comedy, which has become a holiday tradition in its own right — that have also begun to take over the internet in its annual appearance online.

From shady aunties to hating cousins to bitter uncles to vicious grandmas, we all need to keep a clapback or two at the ready in order to endure some of our difficult family members. Scroll down to check out some of the absolute best in Christmas clapbacks. Don’t forget to take notes and have this handy in case someone tries it on your time this holiday season.

22.

#ChristmasClapBack #Christmaswithblackfamilies
Nosey Aunt: I hear you’ve been illegally drinking?
You: I see you’ve illegally crossed the border? pic.twitter.com/CdFILAnTu4

— antoinette (@blacksmelanin) December 26, 2017

Source:false

23.

#ChristmasClapBack

Aunt: When you gonna find a wife and settle down.

Me: when you gonna tell Joseph those aren’t his kids Margaret. pic.twitter.com/2uKwQqeIKu

— ColbyLance (@cowilcox95) December 25, 2017

Source:false

24.

brother: how can you afford all these damn gifts
Me: because I’m not on child support #ChristmasClapBack pic.twitter.com/RckhaNE6SU

— reality (@FantasyQuotez) December 25, 2017

Source:false

25.

Uncle: I see you couldn’t afford a real tree

Me: I see you couldn’t afford to pay your child support#Christmasclapback pic.twitter.com/dzFnF6ujkd

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐲 ✯ (@dayne_876) December 25, 2017

Source:false

26.

Granny: “Im glad you are leaving finally.”
Aunt: “And im glad i dont have to look at your face till the next christmas.”
#ChristmasClapBack

I CHOKED AT THIS ONE pic.twitter.com/tYuoHITwYv

— simha (.◜◡◝) (@munshairudo) December 26, 2017

Source:false

30.

Grandma: Where’s ya friends?
Me: Where’s ya teeth?#ChristmasClapBack pic.twitter.com/fT5kPbBorW

— The FBI (@OhDontMindUs) December 26, 2017

Source:false