Homemade Christmas Dog Stockings and Stuffers

Here I share some really easy Christmas Dog Stocking and Stuffer ideas which you can make quickly and cheaply from home. Most of the ingredients and fabrics are ones which you will already have in your store cupboard or craft box.

Then all you need to do is add some attractive packaging and a cute personalised label to make them even more special.

Make the gifts festive with a tartan ribbon bow or natural string to give a more rustic touch.

It’s a great idea to make a larger batch and give some to your friends who love their dogs as much as you do.

The great thing about handmade Christmas dog stockings is that you can reuse them every year so it is only a one-off purchase. They also double up as a festive decoration and look super cute hanging up beside the children’s stockings. If you are good at sewing you could make a personalised one too.

These are all small pocket-sized gifts which fit easily into a small stocking. I’m sure your dog will love them.

I know it’s a really busy time for everyone, so if you don’t have the time to make the gifts yourself there are some specially selected retail items at the bottom of this post. I chose ones which have that ‘homemade’ feel to them, using organic materials.

1 Treats

It’s really easy to make super healthy treats to put inside the stocking.

This is my favourite recipe, these biscuits are really healthy and easy to make.

You Will Need

2 cups of pureed turkey and vegetables and 2 cups of wholemeal flour.

Mix the ingredients to form a dough and roll on to a lightly floured surface.

Use a dog paw or bone shaped biscuit cutter to get the required shape.

Bake for 22 mins at 180c.

Tips

You can use baby food instead of puree to make this even easier.

To make the biscuits more festive and extra tasty you can add a little apple or ginger.

Let the biscuits cool in the oven to make them extra crunchy.

Pop them in a cellophane bag or jam jar with a little ribbon and name tag!

2 Dog Bandanas

3 Bow Ties

You could make simple dog bandanas from triangles of surplus fabric or make your male dog look extra smart with a bow tie attached to his collar.

The best way to make a bow tie is to choose thick ribbon, (the plaid designs look really smart and festive). Sew the ends together then use a smaller strip folded over to secure the middle. Attach to a collar with a glue gun or use a hair clip.

The bandanas can be made in two ways. The first is to cut and edge a square of fabric then fold into a triangle and simply fasten in a knot. Alternatively, sew a triangle with a casing to thread through a collar.

These are great because you can make the bow tie or bandana specifically to fit your dog (or your dog’s collar).

I’ve seen some beautifully knitted dog bandanas which will help to keep your dog warm on cold winter mornings.

Just like the stockings, these are a great gift because they can be used again every year and if your dog is a mud monster they can be washed too.

4 Doy Toys

If your dog likes to tug or play fetch make a really easy, durable toy by plaiting rope or strips of fabric (eg denim) and add a tennis ball to one end for hours of fun.

5 Paw Balm

Do your dog’s paws get a little sore in Winter?

You can make this paw balm and put it into small lidded containers (eg lip balm tin)

Gently melt the following over a low heat.

1/4 cup of coconut oil

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup beeswax

Carefully pour into the container

When set and cold add the lid.

This is a completely natural way to keep your dog’s paws in great condition all year round.

Tip

Place a little balm on the dog’s paws last thing at night when he is ready to sleep. This way the balm will be absorbed by morning.

6 Dry Dog Shampoo

Another idea is to make dry shampoo, which can be stored in an old talcum powder container or flour shaker. Then add a personalised label of your choice.

Here are the ingredients for the dry shampoo using two items you may already have in your store cupboard.

Just mix equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch.

Add a few drops of lavender or another essential oil (optional)

Put into the container.

Then just apply to the dog’s dry coat whilst brushing,( avoid getting the powder in eyes and nose)

Rub down with a towel to remove all the powder.

Here are some alternatives which are all available from Amazon.com