9 Ways to Include Your Dog in Holiday Traditions: Fun and Festive Ideas

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The holidays are a special time to gather with family and friends, and that includes our beloved pets! Including your dog in your holiday traditions is a fantastic way to make them feel like part of the celebration. Whether through festive activities, special treats, or personalized gifts, there are many ways to bring your dog into the holiday fun. In this guide, we’ll explore creative and meaningful ways to include your dog in holiday traditions, ensuring your dog enjoys the season as much as you do—without getting into the eggnog!

Key Takeaways:

• Including your dog in holiday traditions makes them feel like part of the family.
• Fun ideas include holiday photo sessions, baking dog-friendly treats, and festive outings.
• Always use pet-friendly decorations and outfits that are comfortable for your dog.

Let’s get into the festive ideas to make your holidays paw-some!

How to Include Your Dog in Holiday Traditions

Let’s explore creative and meaningful ways to include your dog in holiday traditions, ensuring your dog enjoys the season as much as you do—without getting into the eggnog!

1. Include Your Dog in Family Photos

What’s more timeless than a holiday family photo? Of course, your dog should be front and center—because let’s face it, they’re the real star of the family.

• Holiday Photo Sessions: Dress up your dog in festive attire, like a cozy sweater or a holiday-themed bandana, and include them in your family’s holiday photos. Bonus points for keeping them still long enough to snap the pic!
• Matching Pajamas: Want to up the cute factor? Get matching holiday pajamas for the entire family—including your dog. Nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like matching sleepwear for a memorable (and slightly embarrassing) photo shoot.
• Holiday Cards: Use your photo with your dog as part of your annual holiday card to spread joy to family and friends. After all, nothing says “season’s greetings” like a dog in a Santa hat.

2. Create Dog-Friendly Holiday Treats

Why should humans have all the fun (and calories)? Including your dog in holiday baking is easier than you think.

• Bake Homemade Dog Treats: Use dog-safe ingredients like pumpkin, peanut butter, and oats to bake some holiday-themed goodies. Your dog gets a treat, and you get the satisfaction of knowing it’s made with love and safe ingredients.
• Holiday-Themed Dog Treats: Add a bit of festive flair by adding dog-safe holiday spices and using cookie cutters shaped like bones, stars, or snowflakes.
• Holiday Dog Stockings: Hang a special stocking for your dog and fill it with treats, toys, and chews. Watching them “open” their stocking on Christmas morning is all the joy you didn’t know you needed.

3. Involve Your Dog in Holiday Decorating

Your dog’s probably already “helping” (by sniffing everything), so why not include them in the actual decorating?

• Dog-Themed Decor: Personalize ornaments with your dog’s name or photo to hang on the tree. It’s a sweet way to celebrate your dog as a real part of the family.
• Holiday Dog Bed: Switch up your dog’s usual sleeping spot by adding festive blankets or a holiday-themed bed cover. It’s like a holiday makeover but for their bed (they’ll still sleep on the couch, of course).
• Pet-Safe Decorations: Skip the tinsel and poinsettias, which can be hazardous to dogs, and opt for decorations that are pet-friendly and won’t lead to a holiday trip to the vet.

4. Take Your Dog to a Holiday Event

Get out and explore holiday events that are dog-friendly! After all, your dog deserves to experience some holiday magic too.

• Pet-Friendly Holiday Markets: Many holiday markets and outdoor festivals welcome dogs, so grab your pup and experience the seasonal festivities together.
• Holiday Parades and Walks: Deck out your dog in their finest holiday sweater and head to a local parade or take a winter walk to enjoy the decorations. They’ll love the attention, and you’ll enjoy the holiday spirit.
• Photos with Santa: Yes, it’s a thing. Many pet stores and local events offer Santa photo ops for dogs. Frame that picture and cherish it forever (or use it to embarrass them later).

5. Make Your Dog Part of the Gift Exchange

Your dog may not care about gift wrapping, but they’ll love what’s inside.

• Personalized Gifts for Dogs: Consider custom gifts like a personalized collar, a monogrammed blanket, or even an engraved toy featuring your dog’s name.
• Interactive Toys: Wrap up a puzzle feeder or an interactive toy for your dog to “open” during the family gift exchange. It’ll keep them entertained while you enjoy unwrapping your own gifts.
• Stocking Stuffers: Giving your dog their own stocking is a great way to include them in a gift exchange with lots of small goodies to enjoy.
• Gifts from Your Dog: Have your dog “give” a gift to a family member—like a framed paw print or a holiday photo. It’s cheesy, but it’s also guaranteed to make everyone smile.

6. Take Your Dog on a Winter Adventure

Get outside! The holidays don’t have to be all about being indoors.

• Holiday Light Tours: Go for a stroll or drive through neighborhoods with spectacular holiday lights. Your dog will love the sights (and probably sniff every inch of the sidewalk).
• Winter Hiking: Bundle up and take your dog on a winter hike. The fresh air and exercise will do both of you some good.
• Snow Play: If your dog loves snow, spend some time building snowmen or throwing snowballs. It’s like playing fetch, but colder and funnier.

7. Host a Dog-Friendly Holiday Gathering

Who says your dog can’t throw a party?

• Invite Dog-Loving Friends: Host a holiday get-together and invite fellow dog owners. Your dogs will get to socialize, and you’ll get to enjoy the company of friends who won’t judge you for talking about your dog like they’re a human.
• Dog Treat Exchange: Organize a dog treat exchange where everyone brings homemade treats to share. Because dogs deserve holiday goodies too.
• Pet Photos and Games: Set up a photo booth with holiday-themed props or hold a costume contest. You might not win the contest, but your dog definitely will.

8. Countdown to the Holidays with a Dog Advent Calendar

Why should humans have all the fun counting down to Christmas? Including an advent calendar in your holiday traditions is a simple yet exciting way to engage your pup during the season.

• Daily Surprises: Dog advent calendars come filled with daily treats, toys, or chews, allowing your dog to share in the anticipation of the holiday season. Imagine their tail wagging as they eagerly wait for you to reveal their next surprise—pure joy, every day!
• DIY Option: Prefer a personal touch? Create a custom advent calendar using small, labeled boxes or bags. Fill them with your dog’s favorite treats, small toys, or even handwritten notes of fun activities like “extra belly rubs” or “longer walks.”
• Safety Tip: If you’re purchasing a pre-made advent calendar, double-check the treats for safe ingredients. Avoid those with chocolate, xylitol, or anything else toxic to dogs.

Including your dog in a countdown tradition adds a sense of shared excitement to the holiday season—and honestly, it’s adorable.

9. Create a Festive Atmosphere with Holiday Scents

The holidays are filled with delightful smells—cinnamon, pine, gingerbread—but some common holiday scents can be harmful to dogs. Here’s how to create a dog-safe festive ambiance.

• Use Dog-Safe Essential Oils: If you love diffusing essential oils, stick to dog-safe options like chamomile or lavender. Avoid harmful ones such as tea tree, eucalyptus, or peppermint, which can cause respiratory issues in dogs.
• DIY Scented Decorations: Create dog-friendly potpourri using natural ingredients like dried oranges and cranberries. These make your home smell amazing without the risks associated with synthetic sprays or candles.
• Choose Pet-Safe Candles: Many holiday candles contain paraffin and artificial fragrances that can irritate your dog’s sensitive nose. Opt for soy-based, unscented, or pet-safe candles to enjoy the glow without worry.
• Bake for Both of You: The smell of fresh-baked cookies screams “holidays.” Whip up a batch of dog-friendly gingerbread treats to fill your home with cozy scents while giving your pup something delicious to enjoy.

Filling your home with festive aromas can be a safe and delightful experience for everyone, including your dog. Just remember, their nose is much more sensitive than yours—so a little holiday scent goes a long way!

Conclusion

Including your dog in holiday traditions is a fantastic way to bond and create lasting memories together. Whether you’re baking special treats, snapping festive photos, or heading out for winter adventures, there are endless ways to include your dog in holiday traditions this season. So go ahead—make your dog a central part of your celebrations. They’ll love the extra attention, and you’ll love the holiday joy they bring!

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