Don’t look now. The sun’s going down.
If you’re like me, your motto during the holiday season is “it’s not last minute until it’s Christmas Eve.” So consider this a bit of planning ahead.
Because we’re both awesome like that.
We’ve got us a whole two sleeps before the big day. And if we have this planning gene in common, you and I, then perhaps we also share the desire to not leave the house again after surviving the holiday frenzies. Maybe never. But likely just until we run out of milk or something.
But how’s your shopping going? Do you still have someone on your list that’s still hanging out there?
You know the one.
What do you want for Christmas? you ask.
Oh, nothing, they say as they casually wave the thought away with a hand. Just your presence is enough. I have everything I need.
Does this drive you mad, too? Sure, they probably mean it. But darn it all, it just makes an awkward moment when the gift wrap is flying about the living room on Christmas morn.
And because, well, you want to gift them something since you care about them and stuff.
Does your difficult-to-gift person happen to be a fellow Lover of All Things Dog? Yeah? I have some gift ideas for you, then.
And you don’t even have to leave the house.
Canine Companions for Independence Holiday e-card
Did you know you can make a donation to Canine Companions for Independence in honor of your loved one? With a minimum donation of $5 you can send an e-card immediately or schedule a time for it to be delivered. So you can print the announcement yourself, put it in a box to wrap it up all pretty.
Not only are you showing that this person is on your mind, but you’re also supporting a wonderful human services organization.
Help is a four-legged word.Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs, and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship.
Canine Companions for Independence provides their highly trained service dogs at no cost to the recipient. And they’re supported fully by public donations, sponsorships, and reduced costs through the efforts of their volunteers. CCI does not receive government grants or other assistance.
Canine Companions for Independence is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by U.S. law.
Send a holiday e-card from Canine Companions for Independence
Send a CCI e-card
Dognition
Dognition offers up a series of games to gauge the type of intelligence of your dog. It’s not an IQ test. No, instead your beloved friend will fit one of nine profiles to describe how they see their side of this Human-Animal bond you two have going on.
We did this with the mighty Micron a while back. To see more about these games and read about our journey, click to see our stories from Raising a Super Dog.
It’s all fun and games until somebody gets tired
Dognition is currently running a holiday sale of 25% offmembership.
You can print out the gift code to slip into a gift bag. Or get this … make an origami dog of the thing. Really.
Frame a photo
I know, I know. It’s way too late to order a personalized photo gift. But no worries, if you have a few things just laying about the house, then easy peasy, y’all.
You’ve got a printer, right? Maybe some photo paper? Do you have a drawer full of unused photo frames?
I sure do. I don’t know how to defend this, other than I get a lot of frames as gifts.
Maybe I’m that hard to buy for person in my family.
Anyway, check your photo archives for the perfect beloved dog photo to print and frame.
You know what, imperfect is good too. Copier paper, a used photo frame, and a cute dog shot with just a touch of camera blur.
It’s the thought, etc.
Two other ideas to expand upon this theme …
No used frame? Stopping by my place involves leaving the house, so that’s out. But how about making a scrapbook page with your photo? A colorful sheet of paper for background, a single color to mat the photo, some random stickers and maybe a couple of buttons to embellish and you’re golden.
Another idea I’m looking forward to trying out is Mod Podge Canvas Photo Print from How to Nest for Less. Cheap and easy, this one. But heads up that it’ll require a trip to the craft store. Which means grabbing the car keys off the counter, of course. Not recommending a shopping trip before this Friday, people.
Shutterfly
So, speaking of photos.
I do enjoy taking photos of my dogs. So much so, that folk who’ve known me a long time are surprised when they finally find out I actually have family. So you see, any gift photo-related is good for Lovers of All Things Dog like me.
A Shutterfly gift certificate is something I’ve given with confidence. Their photo books are good quality and delivery is reasonable. And there’s always a sale going on.
You know how this goes, right? Just print the gift certificate and stuff it into a stocking alongside the candies and nuts.
Sweet Potato Dog Treats
Ready for something easy? Well then, I got your easy right here.
Wait, that didn’t sound right.
Anyhow, all you need for this is a few sweet potatoes, an oven and some time.
First Home Love Life offers up the nutritional benefits of this tasty dog treat, as well as the details of the basic recipe of pretty much just slicing the taters and baking them in a low degree oven for a few hours.
Slip these goodies into a baggie tied with a green ribbon and be some dog’s favorite person.
I love you so much right now.
Are these ideas helpful as you finish up your gift list? Do you have more tips to share with all of us? Let us know, won’t you?
Go. Do. Be Dog. 