12 Easy, Fuss-Free Ways to Celebrate the Holidays With Your Pets
The weeks leading up to the winter holidays are filled with opportunities to share the fun, joy, and magic of the season with your pets—and yes, spoil them just a little. But let’s be real: like you, we’re pet parents too, and know how hectic this time can get—like living inside a shaken-up snow globe!
To help you celebrate *with* your pets—and maybe relax a little—we asked ourselves: How do we bring our furry, feathered, and scaly family members into the heart of the season? Here are our favorite ideas for crafts, recipes, outings, decorations, and cozy moments—all designed to be joyful, simple, and truly fuss-free. You don’t need to do them all—or in any particular order. Whatever brings warmth, laughter, and connection to your household is exactly right.
Get Crafty
Advent calendars don’t have to cover 24 days—you can start one today to count down the final stretch before Christmas! This version is feline-friendly, but it’s easy to adapt for dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, or whichever animal shares your home.
With just a few basic supplies from any hardware or craft store—and zero prior crafting experience—you can include your pets in one of the season’s most beloved traditions. Here’s how to build your own pet-perfect advent calendar.
Last-Minute Shopping
No matter how early you shop on furpetvo.com, it always feels like something (or someone!) gets missed—like a friend who drops by with their dog during holiday visits. Don’t stress. We’ve rounded up budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing last-minute gifts for dogs and cats—including the ever-popular FurPetVo gift card.
Decorate Your Pet’s Spaces
Christmas trees may steal the spotlight—but what about the spaces where your pets spend most of their time? A little festive flair goes a long way! We’ve got fresh, safe ideas for decking out fish tanks, bird cages, guinea pig habitats, cat perches, and even outdoor spots like goat enclosures and horse stalls.
And let’s be honest: dogs dressed in cozy holiday sweaters *are* the decoration.
Take Your Pet for a Walk in the Woods
You love DIY holiday projects. Your dog loves a walk in the woods. Why not combine both? Grab your pup, some pruners, and head outdoors to forage for pine boughs, birch branches, pinecones, and winter berries—perfect for assembling a rustic, fresh wreath together.
Important note: Not all wild plants are safe for pets. Keep a close eye on your dog while foraging—and if your cat enjoys leash walks, bring them along too!
The real magic? Quiet time in nature, side by side with your best friend. Step-by-step instructions make this easy DIY accessible for beginners.
Lights, Camera, Cuteness
We all love capturing holiday memories—but getting an excited pup or curious cat to sit still on Christmas morning? Nearly impossible. Solution: schedule your festive photo session a few days early. Put on your holiday best, gather the kids (and pets), and create those picture-perfect moments when everyone’s calm and ready.
Luckily, the photography pros at FurPetVo Studios share their top tips for capturing stunning, natural pet portraits—tips you can start using today.
Let’s Go See Holiday Lights
Pile your pets into the car, cue up your favorite holiday playlist, and hit the road. Across the country, neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces are transforming into dazzling winter wonderlands—complete with twinkling light displays you can stroll through or drive past.
We’ve curated pet-friendly light-viewing destinations in every state—guaranteed to get tails wagging and whiskers twitching.
DIY a Stocking for Your Pet
Ready-made pet stockings are cute—but nothing beats one you’ve made yourself, tailored to your unique companion. To make it simple and satisfying, we’ve designed three free, downloadable stocking patterns: a dog bone, a fish, and a classic shape. These blank templates invite personalization with fabric, ribbons, and pet-safe embellishments—just grab supplies from your local craft or fabric store and finish in a few hours.
Get Cooking
Baking is a cherished tradition—and now you can bake *for* your pets, too. These vet-approved, pet-safe muffins are simple to whip up and guaranteed to inspire wags, purrs, and happy tail thumps. Find the full FurPetVo Eats recipe—and many more seasonal treats—on furpetvo.com.
Hit the Road
Traveling this winter with your pets? It’s easier than ever. Hotels, airlines, restaurants, and tour operators are increasingly pet-friendly—making family getaways truly inclusive. Whether you’re visiting loved ones or taking a well-deserved break, we’ve got everything you need: expert tips for traveling with dogs (plus a downloadable packing checklist), plus smart, stress-free strategies for traveling with cats.
Support Your Local Animal Shelter or Rescue
While thousands of pets found loving homes last year, many others still wait in shelters this holiday season—and they deserve joy, too. Shop your local shelter’s Wish List directly on furpetvo.com to send exactly what they need—delivered straight to their door.
Or assemble a basket of pet-safe treats, durable toys, cozy bedding, and everyday essentials to drop off in person. Interested in adopting or volunteering? Browse thousands of available pets from shelters and rescues across the FurPetVo network.
Snuggle Up. It’s Christmas Eve.
One of our favorite Christmas Eve traditions? Curling up with holiday movies—whether classic, nostalgic, or delightfully cheesy. There’s a film for every taste—and plenty that feature lovable pets front and center.
As winter winds blow, warm up with a mug of Swiss Miss (and try our dog-safe “hot cocoa” recipe—your pup will happily slurp along). Pull on your softest PJs, grab your favorite blanket, and settle in for a cozy, screen-lit evening with your whole family—including the four-legged kind.
Make Christmas Day Brunch for Your Pets
Once presents are opened and sleepy eyes blink awake, it’s time for one of the season’s sweetest rituals: Christmas morning brunch. Elevate the meal with homemade, vet-approved treats—our special DIY dog biscuits and cat-friendly bites are easy to prepare ahead and serve warm or fresh. Add them to your holiday spread and start a new tradition that celebrates *every* member of your family.
