Lifestyle

Holiday Gifts That Work Well Into the New Year

This Christmas, we bought dog toys and accessories that won't look out of place once the tree comes down. You still can, too, if you shop the clearance aisle!

By Dogster

, December 31, 2014

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The greatest trick Martha Stewart ever pulled was convincing us to buy tacky Christmas sweaters for our pets.

Though I understand on a rational level that neither my dogs nor my cat need holiday-appropriate gear, I cannot resist adorable, pet-sized Christmas scarves. No matter how many times I tell myself that it just doesn’t make sense to buy a dog bed in the shape of Rudolph’s head — my dogs sleep on my bed anyway — every year, I break down and buy Christmas-y items such as that for one or all of my pets.

This year wasn’t so different, but at least I took a more savvy approach.

In an effort to keep from accumulating a bunch of December-specific dog items, I decided not to deprive my pups of holiday cheer but to only purchase items that could be used well into the new year. There were more options than I had anticipated. Of course, I didn’t get them all (my husband is a Grinch), but here are my top finds if you would like to do the same in the clearance aisle.

Going green

Nothing screams “Christmas!” like the classic red-and-green combo, but separate the hues from each other, and they’re just colors. Kelly green is especially cheerful, no matter what the season.

This Hello Kitty toy barely looks related to Christmas. Sure, put it next to a couple of red balls, and you have a festive canine gift set, but alone it’s just green (and very cute). The Martha Stewart dog bed might radiate holiday cheer with a few red accent pillows, but by itself it looks positively mod. And though nothing brings tidings of comfort and joy quite like dinosaurs, I’m pretty sure you could pass these off as non-holiday toys after the tree comes down.

Choosing Less tacky Christmas Sweaters

Tacky Christmas sweater parties are fun and all, but I doubt your dog attended one this year. Instead of dressing Fido up as a tree, these more understated options are stylish until spring (this applies to socks as well).

Both sweaters by Martha are chic and subtle enough for your pet to wear all winter long. The cable sweater looks super cozy, and who can resist a hound in houndstooth? (No one, that’s who.) Socks on a dog may seem ridiculous, but moving to a colder climate (from Florida to Oregon) has taught me that my pups need to bundle up almost as much as I do. The socks may be a little on the Christmas-y side, but they’re plaid; plaid knows no season in Oregon.

Embracing teal

It seems like Disney’s Frozen is everywhere and resistance is futile. I’m not suggesting you dress up your pup as Olaf, but I am suggesting you lean into the less-than-traditional teal color family. Somehow, teal manages to look appropriate in both winter and spring.

First of all, can we talk about this cape? Somewhere between Elsa and Anna Karenina, this dramatic yet cozy piece is almost enough to make your dog exclaim “The cold never bothered me anyway!” (I say “almost” because even a fabulous cape can’t grant your dog the power of speech.)

The yule log, vintage socks, and penguins are all from Harry Barker, and somehow manage to walk the fine line between “charmingly refined” and “too precious for a dog’s mouth.” I almost want those penglings for myself.

Trying a different holiday

Kira, who is technically my husband’s dog, was raised in a Jewish home, and thus prefers a menorah to a Christmas tree. If you have a pooch in you life like Kira, you can avoid red and green entirely and go straight for the blue stuff.

I love both of these toys so much. Their bold blue colors look properly celebratory, but they aren’t technically seasonal. Neither gefilte fish nor keeping kosher are Hanukkah-specific.

If you love a pun (and I do) may I also suggest these?

“Chewish,” guys. “Chewish.”

So these are my finds. None of these items need to be chucked out with the tree or stored with the wreath.

What did your pup get for Christmas? Did you dress him or her in a tacky sweaters? Post photos in the comments!

Hitting the post-holiday sales? Use these as your guide:

Tags: Accessories, Dogster Holidays, Gift Guides

Dogster

Dogster is a dog magazine and dog website where dog lovers come together to get the latest expert advice about dog behavior, dog health, dog news and dog entertainment, plus a whole lot of adorable dog pics. Currently edited by Melissa Kauffman.

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