If your dinner or party host owns a pet, consider giving him or her a gift with a pet theme.
• A gift card to a pet store is always appropriate.
• A dog or cat photograph frame is fun, and even better if it contains a photo of their pet (you could download a photo from Facebook or Twitter). In the Washington, D.C., area Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, and Ross always have frames on sale.
• One hundred percent of the net profits from
Rescue Chocolate are donated to rescue organizations. Order online or purchase in stores.
• From Good Dog Express, how about a whimsical
tray that makes bone-shaped ice cubes?
• Everything and Anything Dog has a festive
Christmas tree ornament with paw prints.
• At the Animal Rescue Site, each purchase funds at least 14 bowls of food for animals in shelters. Inexpensive gifts include a
silicone oven mitt shaped like a dog and
neoprene oven mitts shaped like cats.
• Dog Mountain
"Life is a Ball” note cards showcase artist Stephen Hunek’s love of Labrador Retrievers.
• At $18.95, tea towels from Fjorn Scandinavian are a bit pricey, but they’re so darned cute. Designs include
Tall Cats and (my favorite)
Long Dogs.
If your host has lost a pet, making a donation to a local animal shelter or rescue in a pet's name, as a friend did when my hamster Zim died, is deeply meaningful. Dog Mountain makes
small dog angel ornaments. The selection of breeds is limited, but I think the ornaments are tasteful. PetPro offers a wide variety of breeds of
dog and cat angel ornaments.
Come on over! Meet Santa. Plunge your fingers into a Samoyed ruff—the softest, whitest fur you'll ever feel. Get a kiss from Darcy the Dalmatian, the honorary Samoyed. And bring your camera to take pictures of your kids with Santa (for free!)
