The holidays show up every year, and they can bring some feelings of excitement. Though there are plenty of things to love about the holidays, a lot of it comes down to one word: tradition. A lot of us make traditions that pair well with the holidays with our friends and family. We love these and the fun that they can bring. We look forward to them every year. Maybe you have always wanted to make a holiday tradition and just haven’t had the chance.
Well, we have good news. Pawrents can absolutely benefit from bringing their favorite doggos into the world of holiday traditions—and your pup will definitely love it too. In this article, we will explore new traditions to start with your dog immediately. Before long, you and your puppy pal will be ready to celebrate the holiday season with these fun holiday traditions to start with your dog.
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The Ugly Dog Sweaters In-Home Contest
Cozy and Festive
RUDOLPH DOG SWEATER
Doggie fashion is at its finest, with plenty of pups wearing little outfits and looking pawsitively adorable while they do it—and now you can introduce them to one of humanity’s favorite pastimes: the ugly sweater contest featuring our very own Ugly Christmas Sweater.
With this new tradition, your house is the stage. You and your doggo can find some truly disastrous ugly sweaters and compete for the #1 spot. We do have to warn you that making the decision to try this is actually a little unfair. Doggos always steal the show, so try not to be too disappointed when you lose.
If you want to take this a step or two further, you can always add to the fun by making your own ugly sweaters or getting your friends and family to participate. Let all of the pups and all of the people compete for a little annual silliness. You will absolutely love the pictures that come with this tradition, and it is a great way to get everyone together for a laugh.
Make Winter Fashionable with Winter Dog Clothes
For some doggy pawrents, winter is the time for fashion and fun, and you might be surprised by just how natural this feels. In winter, even the doggos that normally overheat in clothes can get away with a cute top or a set of antlers. These days, dogs can find all kinds of adorable outfits that are perfect for the winter season. To find the perfect fit, check out our sizing guide for measuring your dog.
As humans, a lot of us shop for some new things every year, so why would we not want to upgrade our dog’s wardrobe too? Investing in the occasional set of pajamas or cute little vest can make it so easy for your pup’s confidence to receive a much-needed fashion boost. We find that doggos love our Rudolph Dog Dress. This is a fun activity that involves spending time with your dog and involves dog Christmas sweaters and outfits—what more can you ask for?
Embrace Hygge to Keep Your Pup Warm
Hygge is all about luxuriating in the comfort of a warm house in winter while spending time with family and friends—so who better to share this with than your favorite canine companion? Like us, countless doggos love to lie around on warm blankets or spend time snuggling under the covers.
Making winter your designated cozy time is a great way to keep your favorite canine close while also enjoying everything that winter has to offer. Cover your spaces in warm and cozy materials that make you want to melt into them, and find little ways to snuggle with one another.
Setting up a comfortable spot on the couch with a good book or movie can be such a wonderful way to snuggle with your favorite pup while also stimulating your mind. It is nice to embrace the feeling of huddling together against the cold outside—and it is ten times better after a brisk walk in the chilly air! With Hygge, you and your pup can spend time together in an incredibly comfortable way.
The Holiday Card
Holiday cards are one of the best creations that the holidays have ever given us. These cards allow us to communicate with the people around us in a fun or serious way—whatever you want! With doggos, we always advise that pawrents go out of their way to have a little extra fun with it. Some pawrents are so creative that their families look forward to the cards every year!
To incorporate your doggo into your holiday card, the most important step is to focus on getting a great picture of them or with them. The trademark of holiday cards is that they provide us with an updated picture of a family, and you can have a lot of fun with this. Whether you do different photos for everyone in the household or choose the signature family photo, you will delight everyone when you send out the card.
Anyone looking to take their holiday card to the next level can also choose to add an annual pupdate. Plenty of families highlight big moments from their year, so why not let everyone know everything that your pup accomplished? How many balls did they chase? How many naps did they take? Did they manage to scare off a squirrel? Give the people you know and love a look into your pup’s year (and your own, of course).
Matching Winter Outfits
Winter is a special time for doggy fashion because it enables pawrents with pups that can’t usually dress up a little more freedom. Matching winter outfits can turn your chilly season into the season of fashion in a few short minutes. It is a fun way to explore fashion for you and your pup, and you will end up with some seriously adorable photos if you and your doggo can coordinate your outfits well. We highly recommend matching our adorable Santa Dog Turtleneck this season!
The Doggy Cookie Baking Party
Holiday cookies are easily one of the best parts of the holiday season, and as pawrents, it is time that we share a little something with our pups too. A good holiday cookie can get you in the season, leave you feeling warm and comfortable, and dazzle your tastebuds too—and now, you can bring that same holiday joy to your favorite canine companion.
Having a doggy cookie baking party is such a fun way to spend time with your dog. You can make treats with different ingredients, different flavors, and make them into different shapes. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to make adorable holiday-themed biscuits, and be sure to snap a photo before your pup sees them and gobbles them up.
This is such a fun activity, especially when you do it long enough for your dog to recognize that you are making treats for them. It makes pups happy, and designating a day for this can make it so easy to make enough treats for the weeks ahead. Just make sure you put plenty of effort into storing them safely and using dog-safe ingredients!
Holiday Movie Marathons
One easy and inexpensive way to enjoy the holidays with your dog is to do a holiday movie marathon with your favorite floof! Doggos love hanging out with their owners for a wonderful snuggle during a movie. It is a simple way to get closer to your dog and allows you to embrace the holiday spirit all at the same time.
You might think that this is really only for you, but the fact is that it is much bigger than that. In fact, dogs can thoroughly enjoy holiday movies for a fairly obvious reason: a lot of them have animals. If you have ever left your doggo to watch one of the amazing channels made for dogs, you will know that dogs really like watching other animals on screen. You might be surprised by just how much your dog tunes in while you watch these movies together! Just remember to throw a potty break or two in there.
Have Your Dog Open Their Own Gifts
An exciting opportunity arrives with the holidays each year: a chance to give gifts. Plenty of pawrents already include their pups in the holiday festivities by providing them with gifts. This is one tradition that will stir up additional excitement every year for the holidays. You might not believe it—but doggos love getting holiday presents. If you start this tradition, prepare yourself for your dog to get excited every year. It will happen.
Letting your doggo open their own presents is such a fun way to celebrate with your pet, but it must be done with care. Wrapping up presents for your pup and teaching them how to tear open their own gifts can be exciting and silly with the right preparations. Any time that you let a pet open their own gifts, make sure they are safe. Dogs that are prone to gobbling up things they shouldn’t might not be safe to tear wrapping paper, so make accommodations as needed.
Doing this can also come with an unexpected side effect if your pet gets too enthusiastic about opening gifts. Some pups have been known to get confused and open all of their family’s gifts too! A pup that knows what a present is can sometimes assume that every present is for them.
Host a Dog-Friendly Holiday Party
Holiday parties are such a fun way to get together with friends and family. You can eat snacks, enjoy each other’s company, and have a ridiculous amount of fun while you do it. These parties are hosted every year, but most of them aren’t dog-friendly. You can change that.
To include your pup in the holiday celebrations, it can be great to host your very own pet-friendly holiday party. When you do this, it gives you and your fellow pawrents a chance to bring the pups along for fun. Of course, doing this requires a little care. Make sure that everyone’s pets are friendly and okay in crowded spaces. This might not be fun for every pup, so be sure to communicate with everyone involved.
Make A Doggie Holiday Feast
Every year, humans make some seriously delicious holiday feasts for different reasons, so why shouldn’t our doggos be able to enjoy it too? A holiday feast is one guaranteed way to make sure that your pup has a truly thrilling day—and they will thank you for it with plenty of kisses after a good nap!
A simple holiday feast can be made with the same materials that you use to make your own. Choose a protein and leave it unseasoned, and do a little research or have a talk with the vet to learn what little side dishes your pup might enjoy. Some doggos enjoy a bit of turkey with some green beans while others prefer the occasional boiled potato or a slice of another tasty meat. If you aren’t sure about what your pup can eat, always ask their vet.
Make An Annual Puppy Dog Tree Ornament
A beautiful tradition can be made right at home if you celebrate with a Christmas Tree. Parents around the world have little custom ornaments made with their kids every year and collect them as more time passes, which can make for a beautiful and original tree—and pawrents can do this too. Grab some pet-safe paint and put your pup’s print on an ornament, or make a new one with their best photo from the year. Make it your own, and more importantly, have fun!
Go to A Pumpkin Patch or Apple Orchard
Pumpkin patches and apple orchards are a wonderful way to pass the time with friends and family, and dogs can embrace them too. Before you head to one of these places, check out their pet policy. A surprising number of places allow people to take their pets, so you can turn it into an event for the entire family. Your pup will love the exercise, and you will get some great photos!
Festive, Merry and Bright
HOLIDAY COLLECTION
The most wonderful time of the year for you to bundle up with your pup and wrap them in our festive collection of adorable dog clothes and costumes.
The Takeaway
Our pets are family, and every family needs one or two traditions. Whether you want to strut your stuff with your doggo while you wear matching outfits or you choose to start baking pup-friendly cookies, you can make lasting traditions that give you a chance to bond with your pet every year. The holidays are always better with a cute pup and a little extra love!
Until next time, thank you for reading!
About the author: Gabrielle is the loving pawrent to adorable pups Willow and Dilla. Growing up surrounded by dogs, she always dreamt of having her own. Willow and Dilla came into her life and changed everything. Now, she's crazy about pampered pooches, and her perfect day involves dancing with her husband, dressing up her furbabies, and cuddling them to sleep. For Gabrielle, life is all about spreading love and joy with her adorable canine companions by her side.
