Updated 03/13/2024 – If you’re a dog lover like myself, you probably can’t resist the idea of incorporating your furry friends into every facet of your life. That even extends to using dog-inspired Christmas decor to add a touch of canine charm to our holiday decorations.
But, as we begin this dog inspired Christmas decorating journey, let’s remember the importance of moderation. While it’s wonderful to celebrate our love for dogs, going overboard can lead to overwhelming our space and, ironically, diluting the charm we initially intended.
In the paragraphs that follow, we will provide you with practical advice on how to harmoniously infuse your holiday decor with the spirit of dogs while maintaining a sense of balance. After all, as much as we adore our canine companions, there’s more to our identity than just being dog enthusiasts.
So, grab a cup of cocoa, cozy up with your furry buddies, and let’s explore a tail-wagging array of “Dog-Inspired Christmas Decorating Ideas.”
In this guide, some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission for purchases made through these specific links, at no additional cost to you. Not all links are affiliate links, but each item has been chosen to help you create the perfect dog-centric holiday setting. Your support through these links helps us continue to offer festive, dog-inspired decor advice. Thank you! As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link.
Finding balance with Dog Inspired Christmas Decorating
When it comes to holiday decorating with a canine twist, the key is moderation. Your goal is to avoid turning your living space into a showroom of dog-themed merchandise. Instead, aim for a homey atmosphere where dog-inspired decorations are present but not dominating.
Choose a few select dog-related items to sprinkle throughout your decor, rather than purchasing every single dog-centric product you find. It’s easy to get carried away, but restraint will ensure your home still feels like a home.
We’ll offer advice on how to include your affection for dogs in your holiday decorating in a way that’s tasteful and understated. Additionally, we’ll point out some items that might catch your eye.
Dog Safety During the Holidays
As much as we love our dogs and want them to be part of the holidays, we must put their safety first. Here are a few tips to help keep them safe.
- Anchor your tree so it cannot fall by accident.
- Use gates or indoor fencing to keep dogs away from the tree. Pine needles from real trees can be a hazard to your dog and water from the tree base can contain fertilizers or bacteria that can harm your pet.
- Skip the tinsel – if ingested it can lead to an obstructed digestive tract
- If you want to have Poinsettias, Holly or Mistletoe use the silk version. All of these plants can cause health problems for your dog.
- Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of your dog’s reach.
- If you have guests staying over make sure they (and you) secure all medications.
- Place lit candles where dogs cannot accidentally knock them over or use fake candles
- For more holiday warning for pets see the US Food and Drug post on Keep your dogs and cats safe from holiday hazards.
Warm Welcome: Dog themed Christmas Decor for the Entryway
Christmas decorating shouldn’t be restricted to inside our homes. Bring some holiday cheer from the very moment someone passes by our homes.
Whether it’s a decorated outside tree, a light-up whimsical dog jumping over presents or a refined statue of a black lab dressed for the holidays, bring your joy of the holidays to the front yard.
1. Dog Statue with Light-up Wreath
Welcome your guests with this black lab statue. Statue comes with a removable light-up wreath for the holidays. You can keep the statue on your porch or bring it inside to your foyer.
During the off-season simply take off the wreath or switch the wreath to one that fits the season.
- Made from Resin
- Free standing
- Weighs 15 pounds
- The battery powered removable wreath has an auto-timer that runs 6 hours on/18 hours off
You can find this Black Labrador Retriever Statue with light-up wreath at Plow and Hearth on Amazon.com
2. Light-up Outdoor Doggy Decor
If you are looking for an outdoor doggy display that will bring a smile to those who see it, the Jolly Jumping Christmas Pup should do the trick.
This illuminated outdoor puppy decoration is 4 feet tall and is aglow with 144 red, green, purple and warm white LEDS that twinkle randomly.
- Made from a metal frame covered with weatherproof fabric
- Comes with an AC plug and five-foot cord.
You can find the Jolly Jumping Christmas Pup at Hammacher Schlemmer
3. Outdoor Welcome Mat
Another way to bring some doggy inspired holiday cheer is with a festive holiday welcome mat like the ones below.
This one is from Pottery Barn, but you can find them at most retail stores. Here is one for Dachshund fans.
This adorable dachshund doormat is made from 100% coconut coir fibers. The 17×29-inch mat is the perfect size for most entryways. You can find it at Amazon.com.
Cozy Dog Inspired Christmas Decorating
When we think of Christmas we think about parties and getting together with family and friends, along with gift giving. But Christmas can also be a time for personal reflection and a desire to find comfort in the simpler things in life.
This can mean cuddling up in front of a cozy fire with someone special and enjoying a good read or movie.
Dogs are born to snuggle. As pack animals, they know that being close to another living thing means staying warm.
In this section we will show you how you can make your home warm and inviting to you and your best friend.
4. Dog Inspired Christmas Pillows
Whether it is on the couch, chair or bed, nothing says it time to cuddle more than a pile of pillows. Here we will give you ideas on the types of doggy inspired Christmas pillows you can find.
Our first assortment of pillows is brought to us by Mud Pie.com
Choose between the Christmas Dog Felted Pillow or the Red Truck and Dog Felted Pillow.
- Christmas Dog Felted Pillow is 18″ x 18″
- Red Truck and Dog Felted Pillow is 11″ x 19″
- Felted wool pillow features a canvas backing.
- Zipper closure.
Tip: when picking out pillows try not to have all dog themed pillows. Instead pair pillows with either coordinating pillows that are a solid color or a plaid that matches the colors in the decorated pillow.
Tip: Black and white plaid pillows will go nicely with decorated pillows pictured here.
Another option is to get a classic hook pillow like this one from Glitzhome. You can find this pillow at Amazon.com, or Lowes.
Glitzhome Hooked Dog Pillow
- Made from 100% acrylic fiber front and 100% polyester back and lining,
- Size: 14″ L x 14″ W
5. Christmas Throws
Another way to make a home feel cozy is to have a soft, cuddly throw at the ready to keep someone warm on a cold night. Even if no one uses the throw, just having one draped over the arm of a chair or couch gives a touch of warmth to a room.
Our first pick is actually a dog blanket that would please a human too.
You can get this blanket from Bonar and Clark in two different patterns; the red Nordic Village scene seen above or Christmas jewel tone woodland botanical you can see in the insert.
These blankets are handmade with cotton fabric on one side and minky fabric on the other.
It’s important to note that this blanket is sized for a dog to use. The large size measures 35 x 45 inches which is more of a lap warmer rather than a full-sized throw.
You can find them at Etsy.com at Nordic Village Scene Dog Blanket and Christmas jewel tone woodland Botanical Dog blanket
Our next option is a full-size tapestry throw.
I have a few of these types of throws (though not this exact one) and they are wonderful during the winter. This one features five puppies in Christmas stocking hanging from the mantel.
- Throw measures: 60×50 inches
- Made from cotton
- Machine Washable
- Weighs 2 pounds
You can find it on Amazon.com.
6. Holiday Dog Bed
Don’t forget a cozy place for your pup. In the picture below this dog bed cover from Sammy’s Beds and Threads has a matching basket cover and toys that you can buy separately.
Plus, since it’s in a popular black and white buffalo plaid, it’s easy to find coordinating accessories like matching stockings.
- Materials: Upholstery Grade Zipper, Upholstery Grade Fabric
- Machine wash on delicate, tumble or air dry
- Comes in four sizes: Small to Extra Large
- Listing is for cover only. Insert sold separately
- Matching toys and Toy basket sold separately
This bed cover also comes in red buffalo plaid and a red Christmas tartan cover. You can find them at Etsy.com
Dog Inspired Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas
The fireplace mantel has always been an important part of holiday decorating in my home. While it’s a relatively small space, it can have a big impact on the room. Especially since a nice warm fire on a cold day tends to draw people closer to it.
I generally like to have small evergreen trees on each end of the mantel in varying sizes but then use the space in between to set up Christmas or winter scenes. Depending on what I have on hand that year I might do two different but related scenes or I might create one winter wonderland across the middle of the mantel.
Here are a few ways you can decorate your fireplace mantel with a nod to your pup.
7. Annalee Dog Figurines
Anna Lee figurines were a big deal in our house growing up. My mother loved their whimsical looks.
New to their collection this year is a yellow lab decked out for Christmas. This adorable pup is ready for Christmas with his cozy green scarf and reindeer antlers headband.
Tip: To create a winter scene combine the reindeer pup with the rolling snowball kid and little Christmas tree all from Annalee. You can find this one and other dog related Annalee figures on Annalee.com
8. Photos in Holiday Frames
Another dog friendly holiday mantel idea is to display photos of your family and dog in matching holiday frames.
These Tahoe Stoneware Frames are from Pottery Barn and comes in two sizes; 4×6 and 5×7 inch. The red frames against the evergreens in the background makes them stand out.
Tip: Consider displaying a trio of frames in different sizes and orientations. Also use black and white photos for a more dramatic look.
9. Bring a Gonk into your home.
You might be wondering what a Gonk is. Well, it’s a fairly new trend in home design. It first started to become a popular in 2020 but has since grown.
The Gonk looks like a festive Gnome. However, Gnomes were traditionally made out of clay even though you can now find them in other materials.
Gonks on the other hand are more commonly made out of wool, fabric or felt. Also, Gnomes come from Germany origins, where Gonks are from Nordic and Scandinavian folklore.
According to folklore, Gonks guard the homes they stay in. If the family welcomes them in, the Gonks will bring good luck.
They definitely bring a magical spark to any Christmas decor and you can find a few with a dog theme. Here are two Gonks that would fit right into a dog themed holiday display.
By the way, you will find that most people just call the cloth Gonks, Gnomes, so we will be using both terms here.
Holiday Gonks
Our first pick is from Hooked Strand Crochet. This adorable little Gonk or Gnome comes with a sign that states “Home is Where the Dogs Are” and has a bone applique on his hat.
Although, this gnome is shown in blue you can request it in red or green to fit in with your other Christmas decorations.
- Gnomes are hand crocheted
- Measures: Width: 3 inches Height: 9 inches Depth: 3 inches
- Made from: Acrylic yarn, Felt, Faux fur, Polyfil, and Wood
You can find them on Etsy.com
Our next Gonk is decked out in a brown hat with a bone on it You can choose to have your dog’s name on the bone instead of a saying.
This brown Gonk will fit right in with a rustic Christmas theme. He stands 8.5 inches tall from the base to the top of his hat. You can also find him at Etsy.com
Tip: For the outdoor effect, display these gonks on the fireplace mantel or a side table along with one or two different sized evergreen trees to create a woodland scene.
They also work well in a tiered tray display like this one from PagesbyNat on Etsy.com
This Gnome tray set is sold as a bundle.
You will receive one:
- Dog gnome
- Mini riser (light brown riser in picture)
- Peace, love, dogs sign
- Mason jar w/ mini paw straws
** Black riser sold separately **
10. Christmas Stockings
Of course, if you have a mantle you need to have Christmas Stocking to hang from it. While there are many options for dog themed stockings here are a few examples of what you can find.
Our first pick is these hand-knitted dog Christmas stocking from Mama Jean Stockings. Stockings come in either green or red and the dogs can be knitted using different colors to try to resemble your dog.
- Stockings measure between 6-7 inches wide and 26-27 inches long
- Fully lined with a stretchy red knit cotton /Lycra fabric
- You can add a name along the white band
- Machine washable
You can find it at Etsy.com
Another option for a dog themed stocking is these bone shaped stockings from Burlap Babe. Stockings can be made using either a woven material, quilted or from burlap. You also have a few choices for the bow color.
- Handmade
- Materials: burlap, cotton, woven, burlap ribbon, quilted cotton
- Approximate Measurements: 10 inches at the widest point and 16.5 inches tall
You can find it at Etsy.com
Dog Inspired Decorating Ideas for the Christmas Tree
Some would argue that the most important element of Christmas decorating is the Christmas tree. I couldn’t agree more, (though I really love decorating my mantel). So, we here are some ways to incorporate your dog in your Christmas tree.
11. Dog Christmas Ornaments
Dog related Christmas ornaments are probably the easiest way to include your dog in the family’s Christmas trees. There are hundreds if not thousands of dog related ornaments to choose from. I would bet that almost every retailer that sells Christmas decorations has at least one dog related ornament.
You can find personalized dog ornaments that look like your dog, and ones that commemorate a special time. With so many to choose from it’s hard to decide. Here we offer up just a few dog related ornaments to choose from.
Bottle Brush Ornaments
If you are looking for something with a natural feel, Pottery Barn has a Bottlebrush ornament collection that includes this playful puppy with a tree in his mouth.
They also have Gnome bottle brush ornaments if you want to continue with the dog and gnome theme.
Custom Ornaments
Another option is to get an ornament that looks just like your dog.
This ornament is custom made out of felt to resemble your pup. Made by Snow Felts, they use pictures of your dog to create this one of a kind ornament.
- Handmade
- Materials: felt, cotton thread, suede cord
- Ornaments measure around 3.5-4 inches tall
- Enhancements can be added for an additional fee.
You can find it on Etsy.com
Picture Frame Ornaments
Yet another idea for a semi-custom dog ornament is to use small picture frames to display your pup on the tree. The ones list here are available at Pottery Barn and include the year.
Tip: You can make inexpensive picture frame ornaments using a glue gun and small picture frames you can decorate yourself.
Check out our post on Ornaments for Dog Lovers for more dog themed ornaments
DIY Dog Ornaments
You can also make your own DIY Dog Bone Ornaments like these or these from Pinterest.com
12. Dog Inspired Tree skirt
In addition to ornaments and tree toppers, a Christmas tree skirt is an accessory for your tree that often makes the tree look finished. Rather than looking at the unsightly tree stand.
When selecting a tree skirt it’s best to pick one that matches your decorations either by color or theme. Since our theme is dogs, I have listed two dog themed tree skirts.
Gnome and Dog tree skirt
Keeping with the two hottest trends this year, our first tree skirt features a Gnome with a black dog. This tree skirt has a double-layered design. The top is made from burlap and comes with embroideries. On the reverse side is soft felt material.
- Measures 48″
- Gentle hand wash in cold water is recommended
You can find it on Amazon.com
Christmas Tree Skirt in Hand Felted Wool
Our next pick is this handmade felted wool tree skirt with applique trees and white dogs on a red background. This tree skirt by Arcadia Home felt designs is hand-felted, hand appliqued, and created from 100% sustainable wool by artisans working in India.
- Dimensions: 60″ diameter.
- Center hole: approx. 7″
- Products size may vary slightly
You can find it on Etsy.com
13. Dog Tree topper
Since Christmas tree toppers are traditionally a star or angel, we thought this angel holding a dog was the perfect tree topper for a dog themed tree.
If you would prefer not to have an angel as a tree topper there are plenty of dog only tree toppers to adorn your tree.
You can find this felt angel tree topper on Etsy.com
- Handmade
- Materials: Merino Wool, Felt
- Measures: H: 5.25″/13.5 cm W: 3.5″/9cm
- You can also get this angel with brown hair and skin
14. Dog print Wrapping paper
The last item on our dog inspired decorating ideas for the Christmas tree is dog print wrapping paper.
This whimsical dog Christmas paper can be found at Hallmark.com, but you can also find different dog wrapping papers at many retailers.
If you want a DIY project you can make your own dog inspired wrapping paper.
More Dog Inspired Christmas Decorating Ideas
If you are looking for more a dog inspired Christmas decorating ideas for your home here are a few more dog related items to full up your home with holiday cheer.
15. Nutcracker
We found this handcrafted limited edition nutcracker collectible at NeimanMarcus.com. The collectible comes with a registration card and certificate of authenticity. Made of polyester, resin, and PVC16.
16. Bathroom Hand Towels
Use these dog inspired Christmas hand-towels to bring a little doggy cheer where you wouldn’t expect it. You can find them at Mudpie.com
17. Doodle Foot Rest
The last item on our list is this Doodle dog footrest. Place it by the tree or in front or your favorite chair. This will be a definitely be conversation starter when company comes over.
- Handcrafted of wood, polyacrylic, faux fur (modacrylic), and PVC/PE
- Measures approx. 8″W x 29″D x 17″T
- Made in USA from imported materials
You can find it at NeimanMarcus.com