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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

Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
🧶 Really into intarsia
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop the latest patterns ⤵️

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the S Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️ If you love this pattern & didn’t know already, we are going to be doing a knit along (KAL) from October 1-29 featuring this spooky sweater vest & lots of tutorials, especially for the intarsia part. 
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Later today my newsletter will be coming out with additional Knit Along details, so if you’re not already signed up, now is a great time - the 🔗 is in my b1o. 
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Pictured: My Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern from the new Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book by @tanisknits. Model is wearing size 1 with 2” of positive ease, knit in @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted. Vest images via @insighteditions 
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#spiralhillsweatervest #handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook
At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest, my contribution to the new book Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town, out now! 🎃💀 
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I’m hosting a knit along (KAL) October 1-29 for anyone who’d like to knit this vest along with a group & learn a little about intarsia while we’re at it. I’ve got weekly tutorials planned to help you knit this worsted weight sweater vest, and there’s a prize package giveaway at the end for KAL participants too. Details are on my site - you know where to find the 🔗 I think. 😉
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Book by @tanisknits 
Publisher @insighteditions 
Yarn @brooklyntweed Imbue 
Find it wherever fine books are sold. 
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#handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmas #intarsia #sweatervest #knittingpattern #knittingbook #spiralhill #knitting_inspiration #knitting
Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs closet after this weekend’s quick tutorial, here are few. ✂️ The tutorial is one post back in my feed as a video.
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As you can see, I didn’t worry about the wire hangers all being perfectly uniform, but it doesn’t matter to me. Also, this closet holds a lot! Despite that, it is already at capacity. Since the hanging bags don’t appear to be recyclable, I want to reuse them as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this will be a way to limit my WIPs? 😅
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P.s. In the third photo you can see how I use this system to store the original swatches, scraps, yarn ball bands, & notes from a design project all together. 
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#handsoccupied #wips #craftstorage #yarnstorage #yarncrafts #knitting_inspiration #craftstudio #craftroom #craftcloset
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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#handsoccupied #yarnreview #manosdeluruguay #knitting_inspire #crochet #yarngiveaway #knitters #yarn #crochetersofinstagram
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