Dog-Friendly Christmas Traditions: to start with your family this year

The holiday season is full of joy, gratitude, and time spent with family. But one family member often gets unintentionally overlooked during the hustle and bustle…the family dog.

Some dogs love being out and about for the holidays, tagging along to see lights, meet Santa, or visit family. Others, like my girl Marlee, do best with more time at home due to reactivity or overstimulation. The beautiful thing is that every dog, no matter their needs, can still be included in meaningful holiday traditions.

Whether your dog thrives on adventure or prefers a cozy, quiet Christmas at home, here are 10 family traditions you can start this year with your dog.

1. Create a Dog Stocking Every Year

Fill it with treats, a new toy, and one meaningful item that represents your dog’s year, like a bandana, tag, or photo.

If your dog enjoys outings, let them tag along to the pet store and “pick” their own stocking stuffers. If your dog prefers staying home, turn it into a “people” family activity instead: have each family member choose one surprise item for the stocking. It’s a simple way to make your dog feel included no matter their comfort level.

2. Annual Christmas Photoshoot

Take a festive photo each year with matching pajamas, by the tree, or doing something your dog genuinely loves, like tug or cuddling on the couch. Over time, these photos become priceless keepsakes.

While I haven’t made this an official tradition, looking back at old Christmas photos of Marlee always gets me emotional. Seeing her little face slowly turn gray is bittersweet, sad because she’s getting older, but deeply comforting knowing she’s lived a life full of love and memorable holidays.

If your dog enjoys being out, consider a Santa photo, a park shoot, or even snowy photos if you live somewhere cold.

3. Start a Paw Print Ornament Collection

Make a salt-dough or clay paw print ornament every year and label it with the date. You can find kits that allow for paw prints or even nose prints. Hanging them on the tree each Christmas becomes a quiet reminder of how special each year is.

4. Dog-Friendly Advent Calendar

Create or buy a dog-friendly advent calendar filled with daily treats, enrichment ideas, or small activities like mini sniff walks, puzzle toys, or holiday-themed hide-and-seek.

This year, Marlee and I have a Christmas cookie advent calendar from PetSmart, and it’s been such a fun little ritual. Each day is a different festive cookie, and it’s honestly adorable.

5. Watch Christmas Lights Together

If your dog enjoys car rides, load up the family, grab hot cocoa for yourselves, a whipped-cream cup for your pup, turn on the heat if it’s chilly, throw on Christmas music, and enjoy the lights together.

If your dog prefers walking, take them on a calm Christmas-light viewing walk. You can also use a stroller or wagon with cozy blankets for dogs who want to relax while still soaking in the experience.

6. Bake Christmas Dog Treats Together

Choose a festive dog-safe recipe, like pumpkin gingerbread biscuits or cranberry bites, and make it a yearly baking tradition.

You can even find recipes or mixes that are safe for both dogs and humans, or bake your own cookies alongside your dog’s so you can enjoy the moment together.

7. Wrap a “Dog Gift” for Christmas Morning

Let your dog rip into wrapping paper to reveal a new toy or chew. Unwrapping gifts is incredibly enriching and exciting for many dogs, just be sure to supervise closely and remove tape, ribbon, or paper pieces as needed.

8. Holiday Cuddle + Movie Night

Pick a cozy Christmas movie, set up blankets, dim the lights, and enjoy a calm night together. Oil-free, low-sodium popcorn can be a fun shared snack, too.

This year, Marlee and I watched Kitty Cocktail Party on Hulu, and she loved every second of it. Watching the cats trot across the screen had her completely captivated, it was such a simple but joyful moment.

9. Give Back in Your Dog’s Honor

Consider donating toys, blankets, or supplies to a local shelter, or sponsoring a shelter dog for the holidays. Bully-breed rescues and nonprofit shelters especially appreciate extra support during this busy season.

Giving back is a beautiful way to honor your own dog while helping others who are still waiting for their forever home.

10. Write a Letter to Your Dog Each Christmas

Write a letter reflecting on the past year, training wins, challenges, funny moments, growth, and gratitude. Save the letters in a keepsake box and read them back year after year.

Life moves fast, and this tradition is a powerful way to slow down and truly appreciate the bond you share.

Marlee and I will definitely be incorporating many of these traditions this year. As she gets older, I find myself wanting to be more intentional about slowing down, spending quality time together, and making her feel just how special she is.

Reactive dog and bully breed owners are often weighed down by outside opinions and daily challenges. Using the holidays as a time to pause, reconnect, and appreciate your dog exactly as they are can be incredibly grounding and so healing as you head into a new year.

If you already do any of these traditions, let me know in the comments below. And if you have holiday traditions with your dog that aren’t listed here, I’d love to hear them, and maybe even try them with Marlee.