Thoughtful Gifts Dog Parents REALLY want.
…The gifts you will want to keep for yourself..
I hate STUFF, useless stuff. Clutter. I purged my entire belongings before moving to the US in 2019 and I promised myself I would never again introduce clutter (that is unloved stuff) into my life, or bring it into other’s. That’s why I try to only buy things I absolutely love and gift things I can be absolutely sure will be of use and/or be appreciated.
This becomes crucial for the Holidays…
Knowing a Dog Mom or Dad, people often jump to conclusions for what that person wants or needs for Christmas. Biggest no goes are mugs with “The favorite breeds are rescues”, a t-shirt with #dogmom on it, or a tacky and colourful Christmas ornament bearing my dog’s name (I like my ornaments simple and neutral). Now don’t get me wrong, these items are all perfectly valid products and I appreciate my signature dog mom gear. However, I will purchase it myself if I’m crazy about it but absolutely detest someone making style choices like that for me.
No fear, here’s my last-minute dog parent gift guide with last minute, yet thoughtful gifts that will NOT embarrass you, starting at ZERO $.
1. Hands Free Phone Case from XouXou
If I had to choose only one gift from this list, it’d be this phone case! So, you can basically stop reading right here…
Not one day goes by that I am NOT asked about my flashy phone case strapped around my body. Everyone loves how handy it is (fun fact, cellphones are called “Handy” in German) but usually assume I made the case myself because they have never seen anything like it before.
The Berlin based small business XOUXOU now even has a US website. I have multiple colors and variations of this phone case and can’t speak highly enough for these life savers.
In Germany, these phone cases started out as the typical mom gear of the hipster urban Berlin and Hamburg “Mommy Influencer” and are now worn by everyone that can’t afford missing out on a great photo op!
As a dog mom, how many great photo moments have you missed because you didn’t know where your phone was? Would never happen to me, I‘ve got my phone right on my hip. Always!
Don’t worry, there are also less flashy versions and more muted colors available!
Made from Silicon, this product is long lasting and can be recycled after their life cycle - a big plus for me, compared to many other phone cases on the market.
Instagram: XouXouBerlin
Website: XouXou.com
2. Gift Card to a Local/Small Business for Dog Accessories
We love supporting small businesses but it’s always difficult to know exactly what your friend’s style is. Even if you think you know, you probably don’t. So please don’t just pick a bandana or bow tie that you find cute but get a gift card!
Check out our friends from Modern Companion for more inspiration!
3. Gift Card to Dog Sit
Give the gift of time. Does your dog mom need self-care time? Give a voucher for dog sitting, offer to take a long walk with the dog or just staying at home with the puppy to watch TV. This will make your dog mom friend feel a lot better than having to think their pupper is home alone when she’s out and about taking care of herself.
4. Dog Art
As an Illustrator myself, I believe pets should always be made immortal through art. There are so many wonderful and talented artists out there. Please consider giving such a thoughtful gift, either personalized by handing in photos of your friends’ pets, as a gift card or even generic dog breed portraits. Here are the two illustration artists I love (next to me of course) and I would hire to portrait Missy and me. Though so very different in style, these are the only ones I would consider to commission for myself.
Of course, there are many others that have beautiful style and artwork that may fit to your aesthetics. Shop around on Etsy, IG or ask other dog friends!
Get a custom made illustration of your pups for Christmas!
Jonathan’s Journal
Ashley is Jonathan’s mom and not only illustrates her adventures with a Fox Hound recue dog in New York on Instagram, but you can commission her for the most wonderful personalized illustrations. She even has a listing for personalized comics of your life with poochie – What a cute idea.
Ashley also does people! Get your custom family portrait now!
Ashley’s minimalist style is just what I want in my life! Head over to her shop now to find all customizable listings as well as her variety of Jonathan prints and merchandise. I hope if I was good this year, Santa will have a print for me in my stocking.
To get a print before Christmas, order by December 10!
My other favorite: Stellar Villa
Miami Girl, available as print at steallarvilla.com
If you like mid-century aesthetics, let me introduce you to Laura of Stellar Villa, home of the “Minimalistic Line Portraits Of Pets”. Laura’s work is beautifully arranged and extraordinarily colored. She draws very elaborate designs, but you can also get one-lined drawings of your pooches, either breed specific or custom made. Especially the elegantly curved lines look so sophisticated and are a must for any modern boho home.
The custom illustrated options offered are almost endless. You can order custom Mid-century styles, line art combos with you and your pooches, as well as even tattoo designs. Is there something this woman can’t do?
Stellar Villa is way up there on my wish list! Laura’s custom work is booked out for December, so make sure to get a gift card on her website to make the ultimate Illustration gift this holiday season.
Line Art Frenchie. @iamlaurael
5. Donation to a dog shelter or rescue in your friend’s name
If your friend is the dog parent of a rescue pet, this is a thoughtful gift to send to the rescue organization your friend’s pooch is from.
Missy was rescued by @houstoncaresrescue in case anybody wants to surprise her for Christmas....
6. Dog Treat Bakery /Dog Cake Gift Card
Dog Cakes are fabulous, however for a regular dog mom they are often way down on the wish list because they can amount to quite a price. On the other hand, we would love our puppies to have a Birthday Cake, Gotcha Day Cake, Christmas Cake, Sunday Cake, and an I Love You Cake; you name it, we want it. Getting a gift card from a local pet bakery for the amount of one of those cakes will allow your friend to celebrate their pet’s special day in style.
The yummy christmas collection available on laylasbarkery.com
Here in Houston we keep eyeing the fabulous Layla’s Barkery for Missy’s next Birthday cake. In the meanwhile we are munching some of the gorgeous doggy holiday treats you can order from their website. Follow Monica, founder of the Barkery and Mom to doggy Layla on Instagram @laylasbarkery, to stay up to date on all cake specials.
7. The Gift of Calm – CBD Oil and Treats
Baked Bones is a CBD oil and treat shop that offers awesome bundles to try out when your friend may have been curious about CBD but was never sure about it. Baked Bones is a wonderful small business that will give you all the support you need. The communication with the shop owners Chris and Brantley on IG and through their website is almost instant and their carefully curated recipes make their treats super yummy! Use code MISSY15 to save even more. An awesome gift for any pet parent friend, or - more likely, yourself :-)
Go to their website now: bakedbones.com Follow Baked Bones on Instagram and Facebook for more information.
8. Dog Trainer Session
We love training our dogs but sometimes that leash walking just won’t work out. Yet, we might be too greedy to pay for an hour of our dog trainer’s time. Does that sound familiar? Your friend will be the exact same way!
Find out who their dog trainer is or was and book an hour for them to ask all their dog training questions.
We are super happy with @texasmodernk9s yet should probably meet a lot more often :-)
9. DNA Test
Is your friend a rescue dog parent that is always wondering what their fur babies breed make up is? DNA tests are so much fun and informative as well. The premium DNA kits offer a health assessment as well.
While we got Missy’s DNA tested with Wisdom Panel last year, I’ve heard people rave about Embark. Embark makes it even possible to find genetic relatives of your dog through their testing. Isn’t that a cute idea for the lost stray puppy?
10. Starbucks Gift Card – Puppaccino for the pooch
Because dog parents can always use a reason to grab a Puppaccino - need I say more?
11. Get crafty and make a dog bandana yourself!
There, I said it. Now go figure it out, or not.
12. Camera Strap
This leather embossed camera strap from the Etsy Shop FOYTIK is the one single best thing I purchased in 2020 (apart from a family pack of face masks).
While I highly enjoyed my professional Canon camera this year, I only had a hand strap and couldn’t switch between my camera and cell phone easily enough for my patience, so off to Etsy I went.
This quality leather strap, made in the USA, comes in 19 different colors and many designs. I personally chose the paw prints with my initials to celebrate my newly chosen path as a dog blogger this year. Foytik was super nice and very fast in their communication when I had questions and it shipped really quickly as well. 12 stars out of 10 from me!
Tip: they also offer embossed, hand crafted and personalized Dog collars and Leashes, too!
Click here for the same leather camera strap I have (I picked color clear (nude) for the strap and pink for the initials)
Visit FOYTIK’s Etsy or their online shop , foytik.com NOW and order fast! The deadline to receive your order before Christmas is December 6.
However, order anytime for any occasion. I know I will.
Did I hit a nerve? Or would you say, “meh”, nothing really on the list I would like. I am here to make you happy, so let me know what you felt was missing on this gift guide 2020 and what you loved most about this post.
