12 Holiday Activities To Do With Your Dog!

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One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is all the festive activities that come with it. Each year, there are plenty of events to attend, crafts to create, and recipes to enjoy that allow us to make fun memories with our family and friends. If you consider your dogs to be members of your family, then of course you’re going to want to include them in the holiday fun! Today, I’m sharing 12 holiday activities that you can do with your dog. 

1. Holiday Baking

What’s Christmas without cookies?? There are a plethora of Christmas cookie recipes for humans to enjoy and I don’t know about you but I believe dogs should get a holiday treat as well. A fun way to kick off the holiday season with your pups this year would be baking some yummy dog friendly Christmas cookies. 

2. Christmas Card Photos

Christmas cards are an annual tradition in many households during the holiday season. Each year families get together and spend hours trying to get one decent picture where nobody’s eyes are closed and everyone’s smiling. Including your dog in your holiday card photos is an easy way to spend some extra time with them during this busy time of year. Plus, your family and friends are sure to love it.

3. Matching Christmas PJ’s

Matching Christmas pajamas are a must for many families and luckily for us dog lovers, businesses have started to include our furry friends in this cozy tradition. You can find matching Christmas PJ’s for not only your human family members, but your furry family members as well at places such as Old Navy and Target but if online shopping is your jam, Amazon has a massive selection as well!

4. Walkin in a Winter Wonderland

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is driving (or walking) around my neighborhood and looking at everyone’s Christmas light displays. This is a super easy activity to include your pup in as long as they’re a fan of car rides and/or chilly winter walks.

You can keep it simple and stay in your neighborhood, or if you want to be even more festive find a fun Christmas light drive or walk through display near you!

5. Doggy Hot Chocolate

Nothings better than a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day! Next time you pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, make one for your dog as well with this super simple 2 ingredient dog friendly hot chocolate recipe!

6. Christmas Movie Night

Who doesn’t love a Christmas movie night?? Whether you’re a cheesy rom-com fan or prefer the classics, spend a night in this holiday season snuggling with your pup and enjoying a Christmas film. This is the perfect night to enjoy your hot cocoa and Christmas cookies 😉

7. Advent Calendar

Advent calendars are a fun way to count down to Christmas Day and these days they make calendars for all ages, interests, and even pets! There are a plethora of dog Advent calendars on the market from places such as Chewy and Amazon.

8. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a fun and easy way to create a keepsake you’ll cherish for years. To make salt dough you’ll need 3 ingredients that you likely already have on hand:

• Salt
• Flour
• Hot Water

Combining these 3 ingredients will form a dough that you can mold into your shape of choice and make a paw print mold with your pup! For a full tutorial on salt dough ornaments click here. 

9. Buy Them Christmas Presents!

Everyone deserves a gift to open on Christmas, including your pet! Whether you choose to get them a few stocking stuffers or go all out with gifts under the tree, your pup will love feeling included while everyone opens Christmas presents. 

For my full 2022 holiday gift guide for your dog, click here!

10. Dress Them Up

Christmas sweaters are fun for humans and pets alike! While searching for the perfect tacky Christmas sweater for yourself this year, be sure to purchase one for your furry friend as well. Or, if your dogs are like mine and won’t tolerate a sweater, buy them their very own Christmas bandana, Santa hat, or reindeer antlers so they can still spread some holiday cheer.

11. Holiday Shopping

What’s the month of December without some holiday shopping? This year, bring your dog holiday shopping with you to pet friendly stores and let them pick out gifts for themselves or their friends! This is also a great way to volunteer by allowing your dog to help you shop for dog toys and treats to donate to shelters and rescues.

Note: Only ever take your well behaved dog to pet friendly stores. 

12. Get a Festive Treat

Starbucks holiday drinks are my guilty pleasure and one of my favorite ways to spend time with my dogs during Christmas time is bringing them with me through the Starbucks drive thru. I get my holiday coffee and they each get a yummy pup cup!

What activities are you planning to do with your dog this holiday season?