Last updated on November 28th, 2025 at 04:20 pm
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Budget tip:
A homemade gift is always can absolutlely be well received. Many crafty gift ideas take no skills to create. But are fun and loved by the receipent. That's a huge holiday budget winner! Not to mention it is a major stress-reducer during a high-stress time of the year.
1. Paw paste
Not only do my hands get dry in winter, but so do dogs’ paws. This paste also helps to repeal snow and winter weather.
I have given this paw paste from the American Kennel Club to my dog-lover community in different decorated containers. It’s always a big hit! I also make sure to keep one on hand for my dog, Henry, to help keep his paws healthy.
2. Easy homemade dog cookies
If you think you don’t have the baking skills to make dog cookies, you’re wrong. This is a free online tool that lets you select a dog’s favorite flavors and ingredients to avoid. Then it gives you very easy recipes you can make. Trust me, any dog parent who receives homemade dog treats specially made for their pup will be thrilled. You may become the most favorite gift of the season. Play around with this fun tool I created and get a few recipes you want to make. There’s no limit to how much you can use it.
3. No-sew dog bed
I’ll confess that I’m not a great seamstress. So, when I find an awesome dog gift, like this dog bed from Proud Dog Mom that requires no sewing, I’m all in for it! I would recommend using a memory form cushion or a very fluffy pillow for the stuffing.
4. No-sew dog sweater
Yes, again a no-sew dog project! This one by Vicky Bermudez takes just a few minutes and will keep the doggies on your list warm. You can customize it depending on the sweater you select to use. If you don’t have a sweater you want to upcycle to a dog sweater, simply check out your local thrift store. They are certain to have a variety of sweaters available. Plus, the proceeds generally go to help a great organization like an animal shelter, women’s shelter, or meals-on-wheels.
5. Snuffle ball
This is another quick and easy no-sew dog gift that will surprise not only the dog but the dog parent. It’s a snuffle ball DIY toy. Moreover, it’s actually easy to make, as is perfectly demonstrated by The Pet Parenting Reset. Remember, snuffle balls are great for a dog’s mental stimulation. Pick out fun fabric that reflects your dog recipient’s personality (or upcycle a sweatshirt or two). Also, don’t forget that snuffle balls are wonderful for seniors and blind dogs. Check out Layla, who as a senior and blind dog enjoyed her snuffle ball.
As Layla’s mom did, you can place dog food or dog treats in the snuffle ball dog toy, which is where the mental stimulation part comes into play.
6. No-sew tug-of-war toy
This is another fun and easy dog toy that can be customized with fun colors. The braiding process can be confusing, but this video by Montego Pet Nutrition does a great job demonstrating it.
7. Dog bandana
Who hasn’t seen a cute dog with an adorable bandana bouncing around at the dog park? Learn how to make one from Dalmatian DIY. You don’t even need to know how to sew. Plus, you can personalize it for nearly any dog depending on the fabric you select.
8. Dog collar (requires sewing)
I know I have a couple of collars for Henry. I suspect most dog parents have multiple dog collars for their pups. This homemade dog collar by The Pointy Snoot is adorable and will certainly bring a smile to your dog parents. This one does require some sewing though. Keep in mind with a dog collar you want it to be very sturdy. However, if you have a few basic sewing skills, you can easily make this dog collar in no time.
9. Dog leash
I think I have at least four leashes for Henry. Although, I imagine that’s fairly typical as well. This DIY dyed leash by Curly is adorable! It’s easy to make and can certainly be personalized with the colors you select. You can’t go wrong with it!
10. Leash holder
This DIY dog leash holder by A Crafty Mix will take a few more skills with a drill and saw, but the end result is truly a keeper! You could even add the dog’s name to the plaque to personalize it even further. Or if you can find a silhouette of the dog breed recipient to use instead of the one provided you can make it very personalized. Honestly, who wouldn’t love receiving this one?
11. Dog parent hand scrub
I love this gift idea, and it’s always a hit! Heck, it’s a perfect gift for any person. I’ve given a hand scrub to many of my dog parents over the years. This is my favorite recipe. I’ve even been asked for refills, which I take as a sign of a great gift!
Treat yourself when you put together a large batch and keep a jar! I have one by my kitchen sink.
Sugar hand scrub
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (optional)
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly
- Place in a pretty jar (small Mason jars work nicely)
- Scoop a small tablespoon or so on palms and massage for 1-2 minutes
- Rinse with warm water
- Repeat 2-3 times/week.
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- Create Your Pup’s Favorite Dog Treats With This Free Tool
- Great Dog Lover Gifts With Amazing Bonuses!
- Mind Games for Dogs Every Dog Loves!
- Best Way To Give A Dog As A Gift
- 25 Affordable Date Ideas For Your Partner And Dog
Who Wouldn’t Love These DIY Gifts For Dog Parents?
One more great benefit of handmade gifts is that it can be a peaceful process and reduce your stress levels. Who doesn’t need that during the holiday season? Besides, these gifts are all well-received by the recipient. You just can’t go wrong with these DIY gifts for the dog parents on your list. These gifts don’t take much time to make, your budget thanks you, and everyone loves these gifts. What could be better?
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These are all so great, I love them! I am rather craftsy and I love making things, my biggest issue is the time (and sometimes space) needed to do it. My favorite ideas are the snuffle ball, that gorgeous leash hook, and the upcycled sweater. Thanks for sharing these.
I’m glad I was able to provide some quick and easy DIY gift ideas for your dog parents on your list. I agree with you those are all great gifts and certain to be great hits!
These are such wonderful ideas especially for people on a budget, I love love them. My favorite3 is the leash hook which I should try make. Another idea is I buy baby pj’s from thrift stores, just the tops, then thread elastic through the bottom seam so it stays on and keeps them warm in winter. Layla woofs thanks for mentioning us, she has become a snuffle ball addict LOL but it is so good for her. Great post
That is a great idea to use use a baby pj top with elastic to make a warm sweater for your dog. I was honored to be able to feature the sweet Layla and her snuffle ball in this post. Thanks for the support!
Total genius ideas! If you do not have huge amounts f money, or if you are better with your fingers than your bank account then there are some wonderful ideas here!!! Well done!
I agree, Marjorie these are fun DIY gifts for dogs. Although, I think the bed or even sweater would work nicely for a cat as well. Thanks for your continued support! I really appreciate it!
I am not much into DIY, but these are wonderful ideas for DIY dog parent gifts. As for gifts for myself, I enjoy getting a Rottweiler calendar.
I certainly hope you get a Rottweiller calendar this year. You never know what great ideas people will come up with each year.
What a wonderful list of homemade gifts! I do so love giving and getting homemade gifts! A few years back I made my FiveSibes their own tug toys and had my eye on making them that dog bed! I thought what a soft clever idea. The dog toys I made a few and gave them as gifts and I had held a photo contest on my blog where they were part of the prizes. Fun to make and fun to give away! There’s just something special when it’s made–a gift from the heart created with love. And I do love that sugar scrub recipe! I’m sharing your fab post as this is the perfect time of year for some fun DIYs!
What a wonderful idea to have DIY dog toys as part of a photo contest! I don’t know how you’d be able to pick just one. Maybe next year I’ll have a contest. I do love that idea.
Oh yes, the sugar scrub is lovely! I never knew my hands could be so soft. I hope you make that one for yourself.
Thanks for your continued support, Dorothy! I greatly appreciate it!
I love these DIY gift ideas, they’re all such great options!! I’m sure dog parents would cherish any one of them. I’m not crafty but when I first rescued Jack he had a bit of a temper, so I needed to find a super easy coat that didn’t require much fussing to put on. I found a simple crochet pattern, perfect for dogs that aren’t very tolerant and I made them for all my dogs…especially when I saw the price of a dog coat when we were in Toronto one winter!!
Wonderful ideas. I am not a DIY person myself, but I can see how these would be great projects and lovely gifts.
A note on paw paste/balm. We could never use these things, because it can get so cold here, that it just hardens and made our guys quite uncomfortable.
I would highly recommend to warm the paste in a bath of warm water for a minute or so if you tend to keep your house at a fridge temperature.
Love these ideas! I’ve made the dog bed before and it’s pretty easy. I’d love to get the hand scrub, paw balm, or dog sweaters!!! I might even make them for myself 🙂
What brilliant ideas and I love that they are simple to make, now I know what to give to some of my dog friends for their dogs for Hanukkah or Christmas. Thanks so much and Nili is barking cookie for Henry
I love all these ideas! Homemade is so lovely, reminds me of Christmases past. I did try my hand at the tug toys and it was fun! And something about the process was so calming. They came out so cute and I love how soft they were. I made a few of those and my Huskies loved them! I have a video of playing with Harley with it. She was the Tug o’ War queen and really got into the play! I did have have to hide some of them one year, however, from my FiveSibes as I was giving a few away as photo contest gifts!
I also made one of those no-sew beds. It was a huge hit with my Huskies! I was at one point going to add them both to my shop, but never did. Life!
I have to say though, I like the idea of that homemade handscrub for pet parents! I could have used some of that then! Still can! I’m going to give your recipe a go, especially helpful this time of year.
Henry is a cutie! He is ready to taste test some of those yummy homemade cookies. I always enjoyed baking for my Huskies, too. I miss that. I think they were more excited for their cookies than I was for my own!
Great post! Sharing with my FiveSibes audience! Happy Howlidays to you and Henry! xo