When it comes to the holidays, people are spending on average $30 per pet to make our fur babies feel loved and special over the holidays. And why not? Year round our pets provide an important connection that make us feel blissful and delighted with relationships that are often as important as our human interactions on a daily basis. In my home, we are serious pet people. We are the pet parents to 6 cats and a dog, plus 2 kids and no, we do not live on a farm or own a zoo. In our home making our pets feel welcome, calm and loved is just as important as making each other feel welcome, calm, and loved. 

If you are a pet parent, and I am assuming you are if you are taking the time to read this, I wanted to share an easy way to bring your pet into the holidays and spend a little time including them in your festivities.

1. Man’s best friend is man’s best friend year round! Make sure you keep treats in your home so when everyone sits down for those lovely holiday meals you can include them as well. We love these tasty and affordable treats that you can pick up and stock up easily at your local Walmart. By providing a variety of kinds of treats, you can ensure that you will have the flavors and textures that get your dog excited!

• Milk-Bone®: Wholesome and delicious treats you can feel good about giving.
• Pup-Peroni®: Real Meat is the #1 ingredient with a mouthwatering aroma that dogs simply can’t resist.
• Milos Kitchen®: Home-style dog treats made with 100% real chicken or beef.

2. Make sure your dogs (and cats!) have a stocking. It’s true- as pet parents we may get wound up a bit about gifting but pets should not be left out of the special day. The holidays are one of my very favorite times of the year and with the entire family home from work and school spending the day together, pets understand that it’s a special time as well. Fill your pet’s stocking with great treats, a new leash, new collar and of course a new fun squeaky toy! You can also great your kids involved by having them create a stocking for the pets, complete with glitter and glue.

3. Last but not least, include your pets in the holiday decor. As as a crafter I wanted to share with you a very fun, inexpensive and easy way to make your pet the center of attention during this time of the year. You can create some really fantastic crafting items that make sure they are connected to your household and I wanted to share with you how to create a stocking holder for your pet that you will be proud to display and serve as a fun talking point with guests.

DIY STOCKING HOLDER

Create this fun and festive DIY DOG stocking holder to proudly claim to everyone that your pet is an important part of the family too!

You need:

• 2 boxes of small Milk-Bone® treats
• Hot Glue
• Letters for your Pets name (available at Hobby Lobby for $2.99)
• Mini decorations like ribbons, bows, fake lights
• Water Sealer
• Plastic suction cup wreath hook
• Bag of Pup-Peroni®(optional)

1. This craft for a DIY Stocking holiday holder is SO easy! I found the letters at Hobby Lobby and they come in a variety of sizes. If I could redo this, I may get one size smaller and depending on your pets name you may want to do that. We have a big family so we have to put up a lot of stockings each year and I may have gotten overzealous on the size. In any case, spread out your letters. You can also choose to just use the first INITIAL of your pet!

2. Dump out 2 boxes of Milk-Bone® treats. I chose the “small” sizes, one in a variety of colors and one in a regular color. Then situate the pattern you want on your letters before hot gluing in place. Once you have decided the layout, you can hot glue your treats on the letters.

TIP: Before you do this you can also choose to “connect” the letters together. 

3. If you haven’t done so, connect your letters. I used additional treats to bridge the letters together and hot glue them.

4. Now that your letters are done, if you choose to water seal your letters you can. You can purchase an easy can of spray that will keep moisture out and keep your doggie holder great for next year! Now it’s time to decorate. Add buttons, ribbons, bows, lights, whatever you like to make it super festive.

5. Last but not least, I used a cheap plastic wreath holder hook that was stuck on a suction cup. I removed it from the suction cup and simply hot glued the hook onto the front of my letters. If you are going to have a heavy stocking, this may not work for you and you may need to come up with an alternative solution.

 

 

 

See below for additional assistance and final shot:

 

TIP: You can use other treats if you like to create additional patterns)

 

 

 

Ready to get inspired for more pet-related crafting? Check out more fantastic ideas by clicking below and discovering other Howliday Treats! 

 

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