After an incredible birthday weekend, life has resumed back to its normal sense of...I don't know, chaos? Let's just say that I got up this morning and realized I had less than 2 weeks to get a ton of gifts finished, complete our month of spreading Bodacious Holiday Love and Cheer, and schedule in about 4 days of baking.
I've got this. No worries.
In the mix of things, I also receive my usual abundance of messages and emails. All holiday related. From what to give furry nieces and nephews to what to do when people intentionally fall short.
I'm certainly not complaining. I love receiving messages and such. And I will reply to each and everyone whether personally or, if I get enough on the same topic, publicly on this blog.
At the top of the list each year, I receive many messages and emails about how to handle Holiday Furry Kid Etiquette.
As in...
When people on your holiday gift giving list have furry kids, do you buy gifts for the furry kids too?
And/or, when people you exchange gifts with don't acknowledge your furry kids, do you still get gifts for their furry kids?
It's a sensitive subject.
Because of that, I'll use Lisa and myself as an example.
We're Dog Moms.
Our furry kids ARE our kids.
Since 2012, only one couple has acknowledged our kids during the Christmas season. It was one year and one year only.
That's it.
During that time, from 2013 until the present, we've always made pet parents gifts for their furry kids. Homemade dog treats. Blankets. Toy boxes. Etc.
We used to go all out, but now we don't.
I realize that may sound shallow and it may put me in the category of being an asshole, but...
So be it.
I'm not going to lie, it makes us sad.
If you're a parent to human kids, how would you feel if you acknowledged the kids of those on your gift giving list, but no one thought to do the same for yours?
I know that we'd feel pretty crushed.
When I get these emails and messages asking about Holiday Furry Kid Etiquette, my response is fairly simple.
At the end of the day, it's a personal decision.
No, you are not obligated to buy gifts for people's furry kids. Gift giving should never feel obligatory.
However, if you have furry kids and the pet parents on your gift giving list extend a gift to them, you should do the same for them.
Why?
Because they're acknowledging that it doesn't matter if your kids are human or are furry and have paws. They're your kids.
Your. Kids.
Because it's the thought that counts.
Because, and trust me on this one, it means the world to pet parents when their furry kids are included.
Gifts for the furry kids do not have to be elaborate.
For example, making homemade dog treats and putting them in festive holiday bags or boxes or tins make awesome holiday gifts for furry kids.
We've got a lot of simple and inexpensive homemade dog treat recipes here. And you can find a great selection of festive bags and containers at the Dollar Tree.
Putting in a little time and effort, especially when people do the same for you, goes a long way.
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