Dog Mom Gift Guide That’s Not About Stuff
Dog Mom Gift Guide That’s Not About Stuff
We don’t need more things. Seriously. We’ve got enough. These days, when shopping is as easy as a swipe on our phones, finding truly thoughtful and meaningful gifts has become an art form.
So, first of all—let’s normalize re-gifting. Yes, please! But if you’re looking for something different in 2024, consider gifting experiences instead of things the dog mom in your life. We animal lovers often understand the value of time and appreciate thoughtfulness over any materialistic gifts in our life. Here are some of my absolute favorites (and, by the way, if anyone’s looking to spoil me… hint hint):
1. Take Me to a Paint-My-Pet Evening
What’s better than painting your dog? Painting your dog with friends! There are two ways to do this:
Let THEM do the work
Prepare paint on canvases wrapped in a zip bloc bag for your dog to safely lick the plastic surface!
Option 1: Throw your own pet-painting party at home. Order your favorite takeout (Indian food for me!), grab a pint of ice cream, and invite your crew over. All you need are some canvases, paint, and brushes. Seriously, a quick trip to Michael’s and you’re set—$15 per person. Add a bottle of wine (or two), and voilà! A cozy night in with great memories and a cute keepsake of your fur baby. Here’s the wine I’d be serving….
Option 2: Let your Pet do all the work! Create an abstract painting with your dog as the artist. Dripple a bunch of paint in different colors on a small canvas, then carefully pack the canvas into a large ziplock bag and spread peanut butter or another yummy dog friendly spread on it and let your dog lick off the peanut butter. With the licking motion your dog will spread the paint all over and you are left with an awesome and unique art piece - don’t forget to sign it :-)
Option 3: Not into DIY? No worries! Sign up for a paint-your-pet night at a local art café, or better yet, commission me to create a custom portrait of your furry friend!
I offer private parties in an intimate setting as well. Contact me for details!
When you completed your very own Dog Portrait, check out our blog post about how to further curate the rest of a dog gallery wall!
2. Let’s Bake Dog Treats Together!
frozen treats are a great alternative for the summer months!
Did you know you can make delicious, healthy dog treats with just two ingredients? Get your hands messy with a dog-treat-baking party! It’s like a cookie party but with more fur and drool. Grab some cookie cutters, treat molds, and a glass of wine, and spend the evening laughing, baking, and making memories. Bonus? You can snack on them too—because who wouldn’t want to taste-test their dog’s treats?
Pro tip: If you would rather not turn on the oven in the summer, frozen treats are a great alternative, and just as much fun to create!
Check out these blogs for recipe inspo
3. Donate to My Favorite Dog Rescue
I may have all the toys Missy could ever need, but other pups aren’t so lucky. Instead of things, how about donating to a local dog rescue in my name? Organize a fundraiser, share the rescue’s Amazon wish list with friends, or simply give what you can. Houston Pets Alive is one of my go-tos, and their wishlists make it super easy to give back. (You can find them here, or set up a donation in your pet’s name here.)
4. Let’s Go on a Dog-Friendly Trip!
Okay, okay—I get it, this one’s a little extravagant, but hear me out! What’s better than a weekend getaway with your BFF? A weekend getaway with your BFF and your dog! Plan a road trip to a dog-friendly destination, book a pet-friendly hotel, and spend your time catching up with your human bestie while making memories with your four-legged one. It’s a splurge, but the memories? Priceless.
Our friend Tori recommends LaQuinta Hotels in her reel here.
Sharon and her blog SimplySharonand Teddy are the Travel Queens/King - read more here
5. Dog Sitting Voucher
No budget? No problem! Offer your friend the gift of a dog-sitting weekend. Take care of their pup while they go off on an adventure. Whether you host the dog at your place or house-sit for them, this gift is invaluable—peace of mind, knowing their fur baby is in loving hands.
Want me to paint with you? You can invite me to your private paint party! I'll help you set up an intimate gathering where I help you and your friends paint your own dogs. I'll bring the materials, you bring the wine...
6. Plan a Dog Park Playdate
What’s better than dogs running around like maniacs while we sit back and sip iced lattes? Not much! Plan a doggy playdate at the local park and bring some human snacks (and dog treats, of course). While the pups tear around, we’ll catch up on all the latest gossip, get some great action shots of the fur kids, and probably laugh our heads off at the dog antics. Free, fun, and full of zoomies—what’s not to love?
Attention: Not all dogs are ok with dog parks, be mindful of your dog’s needs and make sure this is a escapade you really want to do.
And while I encourage Dog Park Dates, please always pay attention to your dog, its interactions with other animals and its body language. You are your dog’s biggest advocate for safety and confidence. Also, pay attention to pick up your dog’s poop. Chatting to a friend is not an excuse not to!
7. Host a Dog Spa Day
Time for a little R&R—pup style! Turn your backyard or living room into a DIY doggy spa. We’re talking fancy shampoos, fluffy towels, doggie massages (yes, that’s a thing), and maybe even a little paw-dicure. Light some dog-safe candles, play some chill tunes, and boom, spa day for the win. Bonus: Your dog mom friend gets to relax too while her pup gets the royal treatment. You can even end the day with a glass of wine and some selfies with your now super-glam dogs!
At the same time of corse, I’m imagining a group of women running after their wet dogs that refuse to get the shampoo rinsed out…so either way: sounds fun!
8. Create a Doggie Photo Shoot
Got a camera? Great! Don’t have one? No worries—our phones are basically mini studios! Throw together a doggie photo shoot with a cute backdrop, some silly props, and maybe even matching outfits. I mean, who doesn’t want a picture with their dog dressed up like a little prince or princess? You’ll get tons of adorable shots, and your friend will have cute pics to show off on Instagram. Pro tip: make sure to capture some bloopers too—those are always gold.
If you feel adventurous, map out your favorite spots around town and go on a photo trip with your doggies. Make a stop at Starbs on the way for a well-deserved pup cup and make the most of your city’s cool murals, sights and monuments.
While this photo was taken by a professional, the amazing @thephodografur, this mural park in Houston's EaDo is the go-to spot I always recommend to friends.
9. Sign Us Up for a Dog Training Class
Is her dog already a genius or could they use a little “sit” practice? Either way, sign us up for a dog training class! Whether it's learning cool tricks, working on some basic manners, or even trying out an agility course, it’s a blast for both pups and humans. Plus, we can cheer on our fur friends as they figure out how to be the best doggos ever. Trust me, it’s fun, and hey, they might even learn to walk on a leash without trying to pull our arms off!
Any training is better with some treats...maybe the ones you previously made at your dog treat party :-)
10. Volunteer Together at an Animal Shelter
Got some free time and a soft spot for rescue pups? Let’s go volunteer at a shelter together! It’s like a doggy cuddle fest and we’re doing good for the world at the same time. Win-win, right? We’ll spend the day helping out, giving belly rubs, and making a bunch of rescue pups feel loved. And don’t worry, we can leave with full hearts—and empty hands. No need to add another dog to the pack... unless?
I personally volunteer at Houston Pets Alive. Not in an official capacity really, but I sit together with the doggies and sketch them for their future owners. Capturing their beauty, even if they don’t have a forever home yet, they are beautiful and deserve to be captured in art for eternity. My friend happened to be a volunteer before me and now we sometimes drive to events together and have lunch afterwards. I’m glad I have someone to share my passion for dogs with and help each other through the emotions that come up whenever I leave there.
In the end, why not gift things?
I hope this Gift Guide inspired you to give the gift of time, passion and companionship. At the end of our lives it is not the things we accumulated that will make our hearts spark the flame of memories, it will be the time we spent with loved ones, the laughs we shared and the love that made our hearts spill over. If we leave something behind, it should be love and not a garage full of shit that people go through t the estate sale….
Be good to yourself and to the people in your life.
If you liked this Gift Guide, you might love these other Dog Mom Gift Suggestions: