The festive season is here! Beautiful lights around us, merry songs tickling our ears, and joy in the air. It's high time to spend the holidays with your family and yes that means with your pets, too! There are so many ways to make the holidays extra special for you and your pets. Aside from giving them perfectly wrapped presents, you can keep your pets a part of the holiday festivities by keeping them engaged in fun activities! There are several ways to make the festive season memorable for you and your furbaby. Don't let the hustle and bustle of the holidays keep you from spending time with your pets. Remember that just like us pets need social interactions as well. Stay to the end for an homemade doggy treat recipe!
Christmas Photos! Whether you already do this as a tradition or haven't done yet (ever), getting your family holiday photo should be one of the activities you should do this holiday. It is not only cute, but a precious way to preserve memories with your family. You can dress up your pet in a fun festive costume or create a cool backdrop at home and start taking pictures using a self timer.
Holiday Walk\Drive- Before the family get together or Christmas eve feast, a quick walk around the neighborhood is always a good form of bonding! Aside from getting some fresh air and exercise, you and your pet enjoy the beautiful view this festive season has brought. Taking your dogs out to walk can also be a great way to keep them active and help relax for the parties, loud music, and fireworks.
Make a delicious treat- While you are making Christmas food and baking goodies make one your pets too! There are tons of gourmet food you can make for your pets so they can also eat together with you and the rest of the family. Opt for biscuits and cookies that are pet-friendly so you can be munching on the same thing with your pets during the feast.
4. Petmas Party! Plan a party and gather up your pet's furry pals! This is such a good idea for a holiday activity that involves a playdate for your furbaby. A simple holiday picnic at the park or a mini party in your house and throw in a little exchanging gifts for your pets while you are at it. Prepare individual treats and costumes too! You can make it as small as you want and elaborate. Plan out a program that is pet friendly. You may set up games and tricks that your pets love to do. It's all up to you!
5. Make an ornament for your pet + pet stocking- What are a holiday without some festive ornaments and colorful decors around the house? By now you may have your trees up and lights hung. Celebrate with your pet by adding some details that represent them. You could also hang a stocking with your their photo and\or name on it and fill it with treats and small gifts they will surely enjoy. It's very easy to DIY a photo or name ornament for your pet.
6. Binge-watch Holiday Movies- Pets enjoy watching the TV as much as we do so play some good Christmas movies to lift the festive spirit some more! While eating the festive treats you made, you can sit back and relax and wait for the clock to struck midnight while you have your pet on your lap. You can just stay at home during the holidays cuddling and watching holiday or pet movies! There are tons of dog movies you can choose from on Netflix as well as Christmas-related ones!
7. Help your furry friend help others- If you want to do something extra and fulfilling to the soul, visiting pet-friendly hospitals and checking on patients can be a next-level holiday activity you and your pet and do! Help boost patients well-being through pet-assisted therapy. Why not extend a paw and help other people this holiday? It'll be a refreshing and heart-warming way to celebrate the holidays! For this you may contact any animals volunteer group regarding the volunteering your pet.
Applesauce and Oatmeal Base Recipe for Cut-out Cookies
This is the base recipe for perfect cut-out cookies. You can combine this recipe with red and green cookie dough for dazzling cookie creations, or just use natural food coloring to create any color cookies you like.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 1 tray
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour (you can substitute with regular flour for a whiter dough)
2 cups rolled oat flour
2 eggs
2 tbs melted coconut oil
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350º
Combine all ingredients in food processor or stand mixer. Add flour as necessary until dough is no longer sticky and is ready to roll out.
For different colored dough, divide into separate bowls and add natural food coloring.
Keep dough covered to prevent drying between batches. You can rehydrate dough with a little coconut oil as needed.
This dough refrigerates up to a week, and freezes for 3 months.