By Gail Mayhugh
Pet Holiday Décor & Gifts • I can’t believe the holidays are here already. I know all
of us are ready to ring in the new year. So, as you’re starting to bring out your holiday decorations, why not include your pets and pet lovers into the festivities. So here are some fun holiday decorations for your pets and gifts for the pet lovers you know. I’m sure we all have plenty of photos of our pets from the holidays; it’s time to get them printed and hung up. An easy way is to use paper or binder clips. Attach them to string and use as garland on your tree or mantel. Don’t have a tree, hang the PHOTO GARLAND on the wall with removable hooks. No matter where you put them, they’ll bring back happy and fun times.
MAKE A TREE JUST FOR THEM. Take their favorite treats and new toys and wrap a string around them to hang on the tree. Now, I’m sure you know to keep this out of reach. WHAT ABOUT A DOG AND CAT WREATH? You can buy the wreaths at a dollar store, then wrap pipe cleaners around the treats and toys and twist onto the wreath. Add a holiday bow or flower and their present is ready to go. This is fun to do for any holiday. Who says they can’t get a gift for Thanksgiving or New Years’. If you have a covered litter box, make it into a GINGERBREAD HOUSE. Use a large cardboard box to form the house and then decorate it. Or for a quick and easy way, wrap it in holiday paper.
Now let’s bring some cheer to your pet lover friends or business associates by giving them gifts for their pets. I don’t know what to get my friends anymore. I also want unique gifts for my business associates. So here are a couple of ideas for you:
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Donate to a charity in their pet’s name or one that is near and dear to their heart. For example, my last pup had cancer and her doctor donated to an animal cancer research organization.
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I like to put together themed gifts. I have a friend who loves to entertain and has a pup. I fashioned an all puppy theme decorative gift box with dish towels, guest bath fingertip towels, paw print soaps, wine charms (she has plenty of glasses), paper plates, napkins, placemats, table cloth, bone and paw baking molds, cookie cutters, and ice cube trays.
Put together a gift box with treats and toys for their pet. And maybe include a little treat for them; gift cards are always good. If you have a friend who’d loved to get away overnight but won’t because they don’t want to board their pet, give them a pet sitting gift certificate where you’ll stay over for them. I know we live in the digital age, but I still like to read through magazines. So, send them a year subscription to a pet magazine. Hmm, I think one to Las Vegas Pet Scene would be nice. Commission a piece of artwork. Unless you know of a picture they love, give a gift certificate. Or if they can’t seem to get that perfect picture, a photo session with a professional photographer would be great. We had one come to our house many years ago to get a photo with our dog and birds. I have no idea how he did it, but all five of us looked picture perfect.
To you and your pets, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Gail Mayhugh, the owner of GMJ Interior Design, has been designing in Las Vegas for over 20 years. She also supports animal rescues and shelters through her non-profit, www.SeniorsToTheRescue.org. 26
Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • November/December 2020
