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Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy, Plus a Giveaway!

December 10, 2013 12 Comments

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Yesterday, I shared how to DIY a knotted rope dog toy that my pooches are going to love finding under the tree this Christmas. My dogs, Woodrow and Storm, were both rescues and are the best mutts a person could ask for. But sometimes their toys can add up, particularly when they shred them. Looks like I’m not the only one with this issue – The ASPCA sent me some suggestions for more fun DIY gifts from their behavior experts, so you know they’re safe and good for your pets!

DIY Ideas – more than just toys!

  • To make a tasty chew toy, soak a rope toy in chicken broth and then freeze. Once frozen, give the toy to your dog for hours of savory chewing. – Woodrow would love this more than words can possibly say.
  • For cats, fill plastic Easter eggs with wet cat food as a fun food puzzle.
  • Rinse out an empty, cardboard milk carton, fill it with dry pet food and poke holes for a food-dispensing puzzle toy.
  • To give your pooch some holiday R&R, spray lavender oil on a bandana and tie around your dog’s neck. Evidence suggests lavender oil has a calming effect on dogs. – I’m SO doing this for Storm! She’s got a bit of an anxiety problem sometimes.

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Good things to buy when you can’t DIY

I admit sometimes, even us DIYers need to buy the occasional gift, especially as we approach holiday crunch time. According to studies, 37 percent of Americans will be buying a gift for their pets over the holidays. Consider getting gifts that give back from the ASPCA Online Store, such as:

  • DJ Cat Scratching Pad – This is frigging hilarious.
  • 5-Piece Dog Gift Set -Can you say doggie donut?
  • Dog Stocking Toy
  • Cat Fling-ama-String

If you’re looking for gifts for a pet lover like myself…

(…family, hint hint!) These options for humans help support pets in need.

  • Walkers Shortbread Cookies
  • Diamond Paw Pendants from Zales
  • Symbolic Transport of an Animal Rescued from Cruelty or Disaster
  • Symbolic Puppy Socialization Class
  • Gift to the ASPCA in honor of one of your Facebook friends

Please don’t shop at stores that sell puppies!

All of the ideas shared here today are a great way to ethically shop this holiday season. Shopping at stores that sell puppies, even for gifts, supports puppy mills. If you know someone who doesn’t understand why to avoid puppy stores, have them check out this Sarah McLachlan-free (I promise) video for an easy explanation…

On a lighter note…

Win an ASPCA Holiday Gift Pack

Since I don’t want to sign off with something sad during the holiday season, I’ll end with a giveaway just for you pet lovers out there. The ASPCA is offering a pet-tastic prize package, which includes: an ASPCA 5-Piece Gift Set, Walker’s Shortbread Cookies, an ASPCA Orange Tote, a Fight Cruelty Wristband, a Cat Ears Hat, a 2014 Animal Calendar, a Kitten play toy, and a Dog holiday hat.

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Note: If you’re reading this not on HandsOccupied.com, you’ll have to visit the post to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I wasn’t compensated for this post, it’s just an issue I care a lot about. Gift suggestions and multimedia content were provided by the ASPCA, a pretty fantastic organization. :)

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, and Twitter.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: aspca, cats, diy gifts, dogs, gifts, giveaway, pet gifts, pets, shopping

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Michelle @ Delicate Construction!

    December 10, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    My dogs would love a prize package for no other reason than getting a treat! They are so easy to please!

    Reply
  2. Emily

    December 10, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Great post! I couldn’t agree more, my cats are rescues and I would never shop for a pet! I’d like to win this prize so I could share the cat toy with my cats, the dogs toys with my brother’s dog, and sport that ASPCA tote around town to spread the good word about helping animals.

    Reply
  3. Amy Anderson

    December 10, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Are those cookies for dogs or humans? Either way, someone is going to be very happy! :D

    Reply
  4. amanda

    December 10, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Would love to win! When my husband and I decided to adopt a dog we went to our local shelter with the hopes of rescuing the ugliest, saddest, most overgrown dog. We found just that in a “senior terrier mix” who turned out to be a purebred standard schnauzer once we got him home and cleaned up.
    4 years later Chewy is still with us and everytime I look in his eyes I know he is saying Thank You.

    Reply
  5. Shannon

    December 10, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    My cats would like the toy and my dog would like gift set.http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com/product/43100

    Reply
  6. Nicolette Beach

    December 10, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    I would love this because my cat’s are always up to try new toys and I work with dogs, so the dog items would also go to great use!

    Reply
  7. Melissa Dellinger

    December 11, 2013 at 12:55 am

    My adopted pup Sadie would absolutely LOVE a gift like this!! She never ever has enough toys (she’s an 11 month old pit mix and goes through toys like its nothing!) but is the most loving, loyal and deserving puppy I know! Please pick us!! Thanks! :)

    Reply
  8. Gina Shillitani

    December 11, 2013 at 4:00 am

    Our pets love everything you give them… except lettuce :)

    Reply
  9. Beverly {Flamingo Toes}

    December 11, 2013 at 11:17 am

    My cats would love the toy and my sis is bringing her puppy for Christmas, so the dog treats would be a big hit! :)

    Reply
  10. Malia

    December 11, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Wonderful post. I love spoiling my dog/baby! xo

    Reply
  11. carolyn ~ homework

    December 11, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    I’m a big supporter of animal rescue. All our pets have been from shelters or rescue groups. My Sammy would love any type of gift and would be thrilled with the prize!

    Reply
  12. Amy Orvin

    December 13, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    My dogs and cats would love the toys because the are Toy Maniacs and I would love the tote so I could witness to others about the importance of adoption and not to buy from pet stores.

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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