Gifts from the dog: 40 ideas for their favorite human
Forty gifts from the dog, for the human who walks it, feeds it and lets it on the couch (officially, it isn't allowed).
40 ideas ·
Every Christmas, a few of the presents under the tree are signed with a paw print. A gift from the dog says what the dog would, if it could: thanks for the walks, sorry about the shoes, and you're the best thing that ever happened to me. It's also the easiest way to spoil the person who loves that dog most, whether that's your partner, your mom, your dad or a friend whose dog is their whole world.
These 40 ideas are sorted by who they're for and how they'll land: Christmas gifts from the dog, gifts from the dog to Mom and to Dad, personalized gifts, funny ones, birthday gifts and a few things the dog can make with a little help. At the end there's what to write in the card, because the card from the dog is half the fun.
If the cat runs your house instead, most of these work just as well from the cat, and there's a book from the cat too.
Make it a book: Reasons I Love You, Human holds fifty reasons, one per page, written from your memories and illustrated to look like your people. Start yours
Christmas gifts from the dog
The dog can't wrap anything, but it can sit very nicely by the tree while you do. These are the ones that get a laugh on Christmas morning and stay out long after.
- A book of fifty reasons the dog loves them, written in the dog's voice, with the two of them illustrated on the cover and the dog's name under the title.
- A stocking for the human, "filled by the dog": the socks it hasn't stolen yet, chocolate it isn't allowed and a brand-new ball to throw.
- Matching Christmas pajamas for the human and the dog, worn for the photo that becomes next year's card.
- An ornament with the dog's portrait on it, so the dog is on the tree as well as under it.
- A framed photo of the dog's first Christmas, or its funniest one, with the year written underneath.
- A calendar for next year with a photo of the dog for every month and its birthday already marked.
- A warm hat, gloves and a flask for the frosty morning walks, with a tag that says "For our walks."
- A Christmas afternoon walk somewhere new, planned by the dog, with hot chocolate for the human at the end.
Gifts from the dog to Mom
For the dog mom who knows every one of its moods and still calls it her baby.
- A necklace with the dog's paw print or nose print engraved in silver.
- A book of what the dog loves about her: the way she says its name, the walks in the rain, the crusts she saves for it.
- A blanket big enough for her and the dog, since they'll be sharing it anyway.
- A mug with the dog's portrait and "Best Dog Mom" on it, for her first coffee of the day.
- An afternoon off, paid for by the dog: someone else does the walk while she has a long bath and a good book.
- A framed illustration of the two of them, made from her favorite photo.
Gifts from the dog to Dad
For the dog dad who said he never wanted a dog and now takes it everywhere.
- A book of reasons the dog loves him, from the long walks to the bits of dinner he "drops" by accident.
- A beer glass, mug or travel cup with the dog's face on it.
- A beanie or cap with the dog's name embroidered on the side, for the early walks.
- A day out for the two of them: a new trail, and lunch somewhere that lets dogs in.
- A grilling apron that says "Head chef. The dog agrees."
- Golf balls, socks or a phone case printed with the dog's portrait.
Personalized gifts from the dog
These carry the dog's name, face or paw print, so there's no doubt who they're from.
- A paw-print kit to press the dog's print in clay, framed with its name and the year.
- A portrait of the dog, illustrated from a favorite photo, for the hall where it waits for them.
- A doormat that says "Welcome home" in the dog's name, for the door it waits by every day.
- A pillow or throw printed with the dog's face, for the couch it isn't allowed on.
- A matching pair: a new name tag for the dog's collar and the same tag as a keyring for its human.
- A star map of the night the dog came home, with its name and the date.
Funny gifts from the dog
The dog has a sense of humor, mostly at your expense. These are for the human who'd rather laugh about the couch cushion than cry about it.
- A letter of apology from the dog, listing every crime of the year with an excuse for each: the shoe, the cushion, the whole roast chicken.
- Love coupons from the dog: one walk without sniffing everything, one sock it won't steal, one morning without a lick on the face.
- A "Best Human" trophy, presented by the dog for services to belly rubs.
- A framed photo of the dog's guiltiest face, captioned with what it did.
- The human's own missing socks, found under the dog's bed, washed and wrapped.
Birthday gifts from the dog
- Breakfast in bed, carried by you and "delivered" by the dog, with a card signed with a paw.
- The digital book of reasons from the dog, sent as a link so it's waiting when they wake up.
- A session with a pet photographer, so the dog and its human are finally in a photo together.
- A day at the dog's favorite beach or woods, with lunch for the human after.
- A cake for the human and a dog-safe one for the dog, so they can celebrate together.
Gifts the dog can make, with a little help
- A painting made with the dog's paws in pet-safe paint, framed like the masterpiece it is.
- A photo book of the dog's year: the walks, the naps and the trouble.
- Open-when letters from the dog, for when its human is away: open when you miss me, open when you can't sleep, open when you're nearly home.
- A video of the dog's day: breakfast, the walk, and the long wait by the window until they're home.
What to write in a card from the dog
Keep it short, keep it in the dog's voice, and let it be a little smug. Sign it with the dog's name and, if it'll hold still, a paw print. A few lines to borrow:
"I wanted to get you a ball, but I loved it too much. Merry Christmas."
"You're my favorite human. Please don't tell the mailman."
"Thank you for every walk, even the rainy ones. Especially the rainy ones."
"I'm sorry about the shoes. I'm not sorry about the couch."
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I've had chicken."
"Thank you for never once forgetting my dinner. I'd have reminded you."
If a card isn't enough room, the book from the dog has space for fifty, one per page.
Gifts from the cat
Most of these work from the cat too, with one change: the cat would never admit to it. Keep the card short and faintly unimpressed ("You'll do. Love, Marmalade."). For the main present, Reasons You're My Favorite Human is fifty reasons in the cat's voice: the warm lap, breakfast at 6 a.m. sharp, the box they were allowed to keep.
If you'd like the gift that does all the talking, Reasons I Love You, Human puts fifty reasons in a book, written in the dog's voice from what you tell us, one per page, with the dog and its human illustrated on the cover and the dog's name under the title. You read and change every word before you order. The digital book is $12 and the hardcover is $49. For a printed book, order by Wednesday, December 2 in the US and Monday, December 7 in the UK; the digital book works right up to Christmas morning.
For something smaller, love coupons from the dog start at $8, and open-when letters at $12. For the rest of your list, see our Christmas gifts for mom, Christmas gifts for dad and gifts for someone who has everything.
Questions people ask
What is a good gift from the dog?+
One that sounds like the dog chose it. A book of reasons written in the dog's voice, a paw-print keepsake, a portrait of the dog or love coupons "signed" by the dog all work, because the joke is that the dog is saying thank you, and the feeling behind it is real.
What's a good Christmas gift from the dog?+
Something with the dog in it: a stocking "filled by the dog", an ornament with its portrait, matching Christmas pajamas, or a book of fifty reasons the dog loves its human, with the two of them illustrated on the cover.
What do you write in a card from the dog?+
Write it in the dog's voice and keep it short: a thank-you for the walks, an apology for the shoes and a promise it won't keep. Sign it with the dog's name, and add a paw print if the dog will cooperate.
Can the book be from the cat instead?+
Yes. Reasons You're My Favorite Human is written in the cat's voice. Either book can come from a dog or a cat: you choose which when you make it, and its name goes on the cover.
When do I need to order for Christmas?+
For a printed book, order by Wednesday, December 2 in the US and Monday, December 7 in the UK. The digital book opens as soon as you pay, so it works right up to Christmas morning.
