9 Awesome DIY Christmas Gifts for Dogs & Dog Lovers (With Pictures)
Christmas is a time of joy, peace, and love. It’s also a time to get people presents that you’ve wanted to get them all year long. If you have a dog lover in your life or even a dog you love, you might be wondering what you can get for Christmas that’s extra special and filled with love.
Instead of buying a gift this year, why not go that extra mile and create one yourself? We’ll give you our top 10 picks for awesome DIY Christmas gifts for dogs and dog lovers in the blog below so that you don’t have to search for plans but can get to building the best dog lover gifts ever.
The 9 Awesome DIY Christmas Gifts for Dogs & Dog Lovers
1. Doggie Advent Calendar
| Materials: | Cork board, mini stockings, red burlap ribbon, wooden ovals, gold ribbon wire, hot glue |
| Tools: | Scissors, thumb tacks |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
What could be more fun than a doggie advent calendar leading up to Christmas? This one is moderately difficult to make but will be worth it when the project is complete. You can fill the mini stockings on the advent calendar with anything you want, from doggie treats to little toys for the dog that owns your heart.
This is a fun way to include your pet in Christmas up to the day itself. We think you and your dog will love it, and don’t forget to make one for your dog-loving friends.
2. DIY Dog Bone Picture Frame
| Materials: | Picture frame, red, white, and green paint, dog biscuits |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun, glue |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
Next up on our list at a moderate difficulty level is a DIY Dog Bone Picture Frame. From the adorable photo of your dog to the cute festive dog biscuits glued onto the frame, this will be the perfect gift for a dog lover.
If you’re looking for a gift that will put a smile on a dog lover’s face and their pups, this is the perfect gift to present to someone on Christmas morning.
3. White and Gold Paw Print Ornament
| Materials: | Salt, flour, water, glitter, mod podge, wax paper, twin |
| Tools: | Pan, bowl, cookie cutter |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Most dog lovers would love to have an ornament to put on their Christmas tree that reminds them of their beloved canine pal. That’s where this white and gold paw print ornament comes in. It is easy enough to make that even the least crafty person can do it, especially if you’re handy in the kitchen.
Make sure your friend’s dog is willing to provide a paw for the print, and you’re good to go. This one can be hung on the Christmas tree for many Christmases to come.
4. Tennis Ball Ornament
| Materials: | Tennis ball, heavy rope or laundry line, ribbon |
| Tools: | Knife |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
There isn’t a dog out there that doesn’t go nuts over a well-thrown tennis ball. Also, if you’re making this DIY Christmas gift on a budget, it is affordable to purchase and just as easy to create. The tennis ball ornament is another gift that dogs and dog lovers will cherish for a long time. Make sure to let your dog help you hang this one, but don’t let him play with it, or it won’t look as pretty next year.
What dog or dog lover wouldn’t love a pet-inspired tennis ball ornament hanging on their tree?
5. DIY Pet Silhouette Ornament
| Materials: | Profile pictures of dogs, black felt, red or green fabric, sewing hoops, glue, red or green ribbon |
| Tools: | Glue gun, scissors, sewing pins |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
Next on our list is another ornament for the Christmas tree. The DIY pet silhouette ornament is to die for. Instead of using a photo of the dog lover’s dog, you use the pet’s silhouette. This is a medium-difficulty job that doesn’t require much in the way of tools but needs quite a bit in the way of materials.
However, if you’re looking to impress the dog lover in your life this Christmas, this is the gift to do it.
6. DIY Leash Hook and Dog Treat Jar
| Materials: | Wooden plaque, metal hook, pint size mason jar, paint, picture hanging kit |
| Tools: | Foam brush, clamp |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
This DIY leash hook and dog treat jar are as adorable as they can be and the perfect gift for dog lovers and dogs everywhere. The project has a moderate level of difficulty, so if you’re crafty, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to complete. This is an excellent way for dog lovers to keep their dog’s leashes and treat jar neatly stored, easy to find, and fun to look at.
Just don’t forget to keep the leashes on the hooks and the treat jar filled for the best results.
7. DIY Dog Bone Christmas Stocking
| Materials: | Fabric, ribbons, notions |
| Tools: | Pins, sewing machine |
| Difficulty: | Hard |
When you’re hanging the stockings for your family on Christmas Eve, you don’t want to forget to hang one for your dog. That’s where this DIY dog bone Christmas stocking comes in handy. If you’re not skilled at sewing on a sewing machine, this one might be a little difficult. However, if you love to sew, it’s not as hard as it looks.
This classic dog bone Christmas stocking can easily hold all the treats and toys Santa will shower your pet with on Christmas morning. Your pet will be overjoyed with the festive stocking.
8. Dog Christmas Wreath Tug Rope
| Materials: | Pink fleece, green fleece |
| Tools: | Scissors, rotary cutter |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
When it comes to toys for dogs for Christmas, this dog Christmas wreath tug rope makes the perfect gift. It’ll fit easily in your dog lover’s stocking and will give the pup hours of enjoyment. The toy is made in the shape of a wreath and carries the holiday spirit with it.
What’s even better is that your dog lover can play tug of war with their canine friend every day for the new year, and this one should still be good to go next Christmas. This is also an easy difficulty level, so anyone should be able to make it.
9. DIY Busy Box for Dogs
| Materials: | Cardboard box, egg carton, tennis ball, knotted fleece toys, plush toys, loose treats, rope toys, old clothes, dish towel, blanket, muffin tin |
| Tools: | Tape |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Last on our list is a DIY busy box for dogs. This one is super simple, and while it looks like it needs many materials, that depends on what you decide to put inside the box. From knotted fleece toys to tasty treats and old clothes, your dog will have a ball digging into the box and keeping busy while you’re cooking dinner on Christmas Day.
It is crucial to keep an eye on your pet while digging into his busy box to ensure he doesn’t choke on any of the paper or other items you’ve included.
Tips for Choosing a Christmas Gift
When choosing the best Christmas gift for the dog lover or dog in your life, you want to consider a few factors.
First, it’s essential to consider the pup's age regarding toys, as senior dogs don’t play with the same ones puppies do. When choosing a gift for the dog lover in your life, any items on this list will probably make them happy. Also, avoid including dog treats in your gifts that may cause abdominal distress in a pup with a sensitive stomach.
Wrapping It Up
These are just a few gifts we feel would be perfect for a dog lover or the dog you love. When choosing a gift for your dog, read the warnings on any labels of the materials you’re using to construct the toy, stockings, sweaters, or other gifts.
Making a gift DIY style shows that you care about the dog lover in your life. You want something that speaks from the heart, and the gifts on our list does just that.
Related reads:
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Ryan Seth Nau, Shutterstock
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Patricia is an experienced pet writer and lifelong animal lover. When she isn’t writing, Patricia enjoys spending time with her pets, cats Binx and Link and dog Mystery. Mystery and Link have been with her since birth. Binx was found under her house as a kitten and promptly welcomed into the family. Patricia enjoys volunteering at her local rescue shelter and sharing her extensive knowledge of pets.
