“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” - Charles M. Schultz
The creator of Snoopy knew a thing or two about making magic during the holidays. When you take the time to make something for your dog or someone else’s pooch, you’re spreading Christmas cheer by making them feel extra special.
The elves are busy in Santa Paws’s workshop, but you don’t have to go to the North Pole to make something you’re proud of for your puppy or a gift.
Even if you don’t have a crafty bone in your body, we’ve chosen some accessible dog-themed holiday craft projects with step-by-step instructions, while others are more advanced and require some prior knowledge. We truly offer something for everyone!
We’re going to save paw-themed dog gifts you can make for another day, but check out these great suggestions in the meantime.
Find your smock, sharpen those scissors, thread your sewing machine, and fire up your computer for these pawsome DIY holiday dog gifts to make.
What to Consider When Making DIY Holiday Dog Arts & Crafts
Before you decide on a project, take a look at crafts we’ve found that you could put a holiday spin on with our DIY mentally stimulating toys for dogs and DIY dog crafts for local animal shelters and dog rescues. You might find something that catches your eye, or you can make multiple gifts using a combination of those and the ones you see here.
Think of your recipient
When choosing a DIY holiday dog craft to make, you’ll want to select one that balances your skills with what you think they would like to receive. Is the dog more low-key and chill? Maybe a snuggly blanket would be great for all those couch cuddles. For active pups, a toy that encourages high-energy playtime would be a good fit. If they go on adventures with their dogs a lot, maybe make a DIY dog collar to ensure proper puppy identification.
Set a budget – and stick to it
Because the holiday season is a time for giving, it’s also a perfect time of year to decide on a budget for presents, and that goes for pet presents, too. Part of owning a pet is being financially responsible for your dog, so you don’t want to spend money that’s allocated for other purposes when making Christmas crafts for your dog.
It’s easy to go overboard spending lots of money on equipment because we are guilty of not checking price tags when it comes to our dogs! Get creative with materials. Some of our suggestions can be done with items most likely in your pantry, closet, thrift store, or asking a friend, family member, roommate, or neighbor. Others will require a computer, a sewing machine, or specialty materials you may need to purchase or borrow (and know how to use or be able to learn quickly). Regardless, make sure you set a realistic budget and stick to it before you buy all the paint bottles on the shelf in every color imaginable.
A dog fabric collage quilted wall hanging would make a stunning holiday gift for a pet professional in your life. The template for all 9 dogs is available at Collage Quilter for advanced fabric artists.
Assess your current and future skills
Some of you may be proficient in a particular skill, such as being an avid crocheter, painter, or sewist. You may work within your skill level to do what you know best.
Others of us will choose to learn a brand new skill, which can be both daunting and exciting. Exploring a new skill set requires patience, time, and resources to keep you on track. There are several ways to begin or improve your artistic abilities:
- Use the skills you already have to expand to the next step
- Ask a friend, neighbor, or family member to teach you
- Take a workshop or class either in-person or online
- Learn from a site like Pinterest, video tutorials, or books
Allot enough time
Most of us have tendencies to underestimate how long things will take, especially when we are learning new skills. If we are new to a skill, we may wonder why it takes the person in the video two minutes while it takes us two hours to master the step.
You may consider making a mock-up with scraps before cutting into your “good” materials or going through the motions from start to finish to see what challenges you can anticipate. Carve out how long you think it will take, and then add a big buffer because there can be setbacks and surprises along the way.
Gather all your materials
Nothing is more frustrating than getting to a step and realizing you don’t have everything you need. It can slow down your process and make you lose steam. Laying out all your materials and making sure they’re in working order is the best way to begin a dog arts and crafts project. You wouldn’t want to run out of Fray Check in the middle of an edge or face an empty bobbin mid-stitch. With the holidays, stores can be busy anytime, so running an errand for one item might not be as easy as at other times of the year.
‘Tis the Season to Make Holiday Arts & Crafts For Dogs
Whether you have never crafted before or you could teach the class, our holiday crafts for dogs ideas will get your creative juices flowing. Don’t forget to tell us if you made any by sharing on our social media accounts! We’d love to see what you create.
Hanukkah-themed twisted double spiral woven fleece dog tug toy from Dalmatian DIY
Hanukkah fleece dog tug toy
Playing tug-of-war with your puppy won’t make your puppy aggressive or mean, so you won’t have to worry about spoiling your time with holiday guests. Conversely, tug-of-war has several benefits, including building confidence, redirecting energy, and providing mental stimulation for your puppy.
Before buying an expensive tug-of-war dog toy, you can make your own Hanukkah-themed twisted double spiral woven fleece dog tug toy for a fraction of the price. You’ll probably learn a new skill of braiding together multiple strips beyond the regular 3-strand braid.
You’ll need scissors and 6 long strips of fleece in coordinating Hanukkah colors. You could mix white, dark blue, and light blue like in the tutorial, or choose a blue, silvery gray, and yellow color scheme. If you celebrate Christmas, you can use traditional red, green, and white. Regardless of which colors you choose, remember to stay away from glittery fabrics that might contain materials that are not safe for dogs, especially because your puppy will be putting this toy in its mouth.
Sydney is not sure how to feel about her no-sew DIY dog sweater. Image courtesy of We're Far From Normal blog
Upcycled no-sew dog sweater
We all have that one sweater we accidentally put in the dryer that shrunk, or maybe you like to go thrifting for a colorful, unique sweater pattern. This inexpensive craft will have your pup looking dapper and ready for the holidays in a warm, cozy upcycled no-sew dog sweater without wrangling thread from the sewing machine. Look for material that stretches, is soft, and looks big enough to fit your dog when cut.
You’ll need scissors, a sweater, a tape measure, and Fray Check (a liquid glue-type substance found in national chains or craft stores that stops edges from unraveling). Measure your dog according to the tutorial before looking for your sweater, as you’ll be cutting the sweater sleeve about 4 inches longer than your dog’s back measurement. It’s a good idea to take your tape measure with you to the thrift store. You don’t want to choose a sweater that’s too small for your Bernese Mountain Dog or too big for your Havanese. Choose a baby or child sweater for extra small dogs like Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas, a regular range of sweater sizes for small dogs like Mini Poodles and Boston Terriers and medium-sized dogs like Mini Australian Shepherds and Siberian Huskies, and men’s Big & Tall for larger dogs like Cane Corso Mastiffs and Bernedoodles. You might even find one to fit your Great Dane! Looking for the right-sized sweater is half the fun. The other half will be getting it on your dog!
DIY no-sew tie fleece dog blankets
A no-sew tie fleece dog blanket is a great gift for a puppy that loves to snuggle and nap. You can capture your scent on the blanket, helping to reduce puppy anxiety as well as fear and stress in puppies when they’re in their safe space away from the holiday action or when you are out of the house Christmas shopping.
There are several methods of making a DIY fleece blanket you may encounter online with both sew and no-sew options, but we’ve chosen a simple no-sew style to keep things easy. You’ll need 2 cut rectangles of fleece the same size. The fleece can be two of the same print, or you can choose contrasting colors for a double-sided blanket, scissors, and a ruler (or just eyeball it because this project is very forgiving).
Choosing the perfect fabric for sewing projects for dogs
One of the best parts of sewing is selecting your fabric. Whether you buy your fabric online, at a specialty store, or at a national chain, your fabric choice can reflect interests of the recipient. When sewing items for your dog, you can choose fabric for everyday wear year-round or get festive with holiday-themed dog fabric.
We have some suggestions to get you started on fabric selection. Our first fabric is available at Joann across the country and online. This Canine on Green Christmas Cotton Fabric features all shapes and types of dogs that will bring some pawliday cheer to everyone your puppy meets.
Spoonflower is a company where designers can upload their fabric patterns or where you can have your idea custom-made. If you’re a sushi lover with a Pug, you may love this whimsical Sushi Pug fabric.
One great idea is to choose breed-specific fabric, especially with dogs that are traditionally harder to find, like with this longhaired Mini Dachshund fabric print. You can even design your original work and have it made into a variety of fabric types depending on your project.
No-sew dog bandana
No-sew dog bandanas are an adorable accessory fit for every dog, no matter its size. They’re very easy to make and beginner-friendly. Make your own bandana in just a few minutes with these easy-to-follow instructions.
You’ll need a square of fabric and pinking shears (sewing scissors with teeth that look like an alligator’s mouth). If you don’t have pinking shears, you can use Fray Check or iron-on hemming tape that will stop your edges from unraveling. It’s as easy as cutting and tying it on!
Sew a dog bandana
If you have some basic sewing skills and access to a sewing machine, you can get a little fancier sewing a dog bandana featuring a little slot to fit over their collar. The hemmed, clean edges give the bandana a more professional finish, and having it slip through the collar makes it less likely to become untied and fall off. Spoonflower gives illustrated written instructions and a video tutorial to help every level of ability, providing guidance for each step of the process.
Pet portrait painting workshops
If you want to try your hand at painting your pooch but aren’t sure how to get started, find a local pet portrait workshop. You don’t have to consider yourself crafty because the hosting artist will provide materials and walk you through every step of the way allowing you to leave with a hand-painted pet portrait or ornament of your pet. Make one for yourself or as a gift!
DIY digital pet portrait
You don’t need to have a degree in graphic art and design to follow the directions to produce a stunning digital pet portrait piece. You don’t need a lot of items to make this project – a clear photograph of your dog or a friend’s dog in good lighting, the BeFunky photo editing program, and a place to print your finished product on canvas. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can create a beautiful, eye-catching custom digital pet portrait following step-by-step instructions from BeFunky Photo Editor. You can make this one for your pet, but it works well as a gift to a fellow dog-lover.
Crocheting holiday hats & snoods for dogs
Sookie and Ivy (@sookieandivy) are two elderly dogs that showcase the incredible work of Jani, a self-taught fiber artist who makes crochet and macrame pieces like hats and snoods for them to model. Jani has created Santa hats, gingerbread men, reindeer antlers, gnomes, and elves, not to mention specialty items like mushrooms, dinosaurs, strawberries, candy corn, turkeys, and unicorns. In addition to sharing cute photos and videos online showcasing her talents, she also sells her crocheted hat patterns for dogs and gives tips if you are a crocheter yourself or want to learn.
Make Holiday Dog Arts & Crafts With a Pawrade Puppy
If you’re ready to make arts and crafts for your dog this holiday season, you’ll first need to adopt a puppy! You’ll make more than just holiday gifts – you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime with Pawrade puppies for sale.
