As the holiday countdown continues, today I’m sharing some fun ways to include your dog in the holidays with a few great DIY ideas that your pooch will love! Plus, check out fun survey results about how much we all love our pets during the season!
We’re getting down to the wire on the holiday shopping season, folks. Time is a ticking! I still have a few family members left to buy for, including my pack of fur kids: Tasha, Maia and Cooper. Then I have my fur niece and nephew, Owen and Bella. Oh, and let’s not forget my fur cousins who always attend our annual family party! Yes, our furry family members are definitely spoiled during the holidays!
Fun Tips & DIY Ideas for Celebrating the Holidays with Your Dog
*Disclosure: I am receiving a package of goodies for my dogs in exchange for sharing the information in this post. I only share stuff I love, you know that!
It turns out that I’m not the only pet mama to spoil her pup during this time of year. That’s why I love this super cute website called TheNosePrint.com from Big Heart Pet Brands (the makers of Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni, Canine Carry Outs, and Milo’s Kitchen). They really know how to celebrate the holidays with your pup! On TheNosePrint.com, check out some of the fun doggy do-it-yourself ideas they’ve dreamed up. My favorite is the Sweet Treat Jar.
It’s such a simple DIY project, yet looks so festive when it’s done. I love this one for sending home with my fur nieces, nephews and cousins!
I’m also loving the homemade paw-print ornament. We make these with our kids, why not have your fur child make an ornament too? Other great homemade doggy gifts include a treat bouquet and a ho-ho-howliday treat bag. My pack will have a very Merry holiday!
Why do we give our dogs gifts?
The NosePrint.com also asked 3,000 Americans about their dog-related holiday habits, including whether their dog is involved in gift-giving, stocking-stuffing, Christmas sweater-wearing, and other holiday traditions. What they found is that Americans really LOVE their pets. For instance, did you know 71% of dog parents give gifts to their pups?
According to the survey, here are the top 5 reasons people give gifts to their dog:
1. To express love to my dog: 72%
2. Because it’s fun for me: 60%
3. To help my dog feel included like a family member: 54%
4. To give my dog a moment of happiness: 53%
5. To feel closer and bond with my dog: 43%
For me, I like to give presents to my pups because of all of these reasons. They are such an important part of the family — I can’t imagine the holidays without them.
The study also shared how often dogs are included into popular Christmas traditions:
1. 48% of dog parents hang a Christmas stocking for their dog.
2. 43% of dog parents include a dog in a photo for a family holiday card.
3. 32% post photos of their dog on social media with a holiday message.
4. 29% dress up their dog in a holiday-themed costume or outfit.
5. 22% make or buy dog-themed holiday decorations.
For photos and instructions on how to add more dog-related fun to your home holiday traditions, check out these cool projects they have here.
Finally, want to know which states have the most spoiled pups?
The 2015 TheNosePrint.com Santa Dog Index ranks states based on how much, on average, dog parents will spend on their furry kids:
Top 10 States That Spend the Most on Holiday Gifts for Dogs:
1. New Jersey: $29.61 (average gift spending per dog for state residents)
2. New York: $28.95
3. Pennsylvania: $28.75
4. Utah: $27.75
5. Georgia: $27.04
6. California: $26.07
7. Washington: $25.81
8. Florida: $25.13
9. Illinois: $24.98
10. Virginia: $24.58
I happen to live in #3. Apparently, it’s good to be a dog in the New York tri-state area. You can find the complete rankings of all 50 states at www.TheNosePrint.com.
I always bake my dog some homemade treats around this time of year. I like to do something special for him.
We used to always put stuff under the tree for our dogs. It is fun for them to find something that they can open themselves.
I’m loving these ideas. It’s always great to let the dogs in on the holiday fun. I’d love to make some crafty dog gifts!
It would be awesome to include them in the gift list, you know, just to make them feel special as well. They deserve all the happiness in the world because they give us so much comfort and love.
These are great ideas! We treat our dog like a child, and we always get him Christmas presents. Some of these items will definitely be on his list.
You have some great ideas. All the pets in our family are included in on the holidays.
I love this ideas and i want this for the dog of my friends. Its a fun project
This is such a great gift package! I love putting together little gifts for my pets. They are apart of the family afterall.
These are some excellent ideas! When my pup (8 weeks) gets a little bigger I will do these for sure!
When I had dogs, I always made sure they were included in Xmas. I love the paw print ornament.
We get our little pooch a stocking for Christmas. I really like that milk bone wreath.
What cute ideas. I love the ornament and I’m sure my fur babies will love the treats.
My family would love to make the doggy gingerbread house and the dogs would love to eat it!
Awesome ideas. Cute indeed. Love to do it with my dogs and puppies!
It really like the milkbone wreath!! It looks really simple to do with a baby on the hip!
That milkbone wreath seems the most enjoyable for us and my beagle Cody. He actually really enjoys the milkbone brand. I think I’d add some chewy treats to it too
We always give our pets gifts for Christmas, I think it’s just a nice thing to do when they are part of the family. That ornament is adorable!
I always try to get my dog a special treat and toy for Christmas.
They would love the Milk-Bone Wreath the best
The Milk Bone Wreath looks easy to make, it’s cute and the dogs would love it, I’m sure!
Our family likes the Howliday Treat Keeper. Too cute and perfect for the dogs.
We would love the Milk-Bone Wreath best.