Let’s be honest – we’re all on a budget, especially during the holidays. Buying gifts, shopping for extra food and spending money on baking ingredients adds up! But now’s the time to truly get into the Christmas spirit, whether you have money to spare or not. Our best canine companions have been with us throughout the year during hardships and happy times, and they deserve some more focus. Now get cozy with your pup and enjoy this list of budget-friendly holiday activities to do with your dog.
Budget-Friendly Holiday Activities To Do With Your Dog
Watch Christmas Movies
It doesn’t cost a penny to put on your matching PJs and snuggle on the couch with your dog to watch some Christmas movies! Netflix has some great holiday movies available, and there is always something Christmas related on TV during the month of December. Some of our favorite Christmas movies are A White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf, Santa Paws and the original claymation Rudolph and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.
Bake Homemade Dog Treats
I have a delicious homemade Christmas dog treat recipe that you and your dog will have fun making together! The recipe is simple and calls for ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen! I also have several other homemade dog treat recipes that your dogs will enjoy.
Drive Around to Look at Christmas Lights
If your dogs like car rides, grab some blankets and hot cocoa, and go for a ride around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. If you deem it safe, roll down the windows so your pup can enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. Wynston recently saw a large inflatable reindeer barn set up and he was completely enthralled with it. It was quite amusing to watch him stare at it with such curiosity.
Visit a Christmas Village or Event
Do you have a local Christmas village or event happening in your area? If you do, check to see if it’s dog-friendly! That could be a fun activity for the entire family to enjoy.
Get Your Dog’s Photo Taken With Santa
If you didn’t get your dog’s photo taken with Santa at PetSmart or Petco on the designated weekends, see if you can hit up a mall or Christmas event to do so! There are lots of Santas wandering around this time of year, so it will probably be fairly easy to scope out a photo opportunity.
Related post: Tips for Taking Your Dog to See Santa
Create a Homemade Dog Paw Print or Photo Ornament
You can purchase a kit to make a DIY paw print ornament for tree or you can get creative and make your own. There are lots of fun DIY dog ornament ideas on Pinterest, and I’ve listed some other fun DIY dog projects from my favorite pet blogs:
Easy DIY Paw Print Art from It’s Dog or Nothing
DIY Gift Tags for Dog Lovers from Kol’s Notes
DIY Christmas Paw Print Ornament from Barking From the Bayou
Easy DIY Pet Ornament from The Broke Dog
DIY Paw Print Ornament from Kitty Cat Chronicles
Read Christmas Books
The Christmas season can get away from us, as we’re so busy with the holiday, work, family, shopping and baking. So curl up by the Christmas tree and read some Christmas books to your dog. They will love spending the relaxing time with you, and it’ll be good for your soul!
Play in the Snow
If you’re living in the desert like me, you may have to drive a bit to access snow. Or perhaps you can walk right outside into your backyard! Whatever the case, spend some time outside making snow animals and angels with your dog! Of course you’ll want to make sure your dog is protected and warm with some Ultra Paws
Build a Gingerbread House
You can purchase a gingerbread house kit at almost any grocery store. The kit will have everything you need to create a fancy candy house, but what about adding some doggy flare to it? Instead of using all the candies, put some dog treats on there instead! You can get creative with all sorts of dog treats, or even use peanut butter instead of icing. Don’t forget to take photos of your dog next to their new holiday house 😉
Do you have any budget-friendly activities planned for you and your dog? What else can you add to this list?
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