The holiday season is a time for indulging in delicious food and filling the mailboxes of loved ones with creative and fun Christmas cards. As the years go by, more and more festive dogs are stealing the spotlight in our seasonal pictures, completely revolutionizing this once human-centric tradition. These 11 Christmas cards demonstrate that including adorable dogs in your photos can lead to some wonderfully festive and humorous holiday greetings:
The Top 11 Christmas Card Ideas Involving Dogs
1. Family Matching
A family affair in white. Everyone in Christmas-themed pajamas. The entire group sporting ugly holiday sweaters Mom snagged on sale. Coordinating outfits have always been a hallmark of Christmas card photos. This year, ensure your dog gets in on the matching action with its very own festive sweater. Just because he’s covered in fur doesn’t mean he should be exempt from these fashion faux pas.
2. Detailed Updates
This card comes complete with a double-sided newsletter often titled “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This type of not-so-modest boasting from accomplished families details human achievements alongside notable feats such as Frankie’s agility awards and FeFe’s acceptance into an exclusive training academy. Remember, there’s no limit to sharing your family’s awesomeness.
3. Embracing Singlehood
Traditionally, Christmas card snapshots have been the domain of soccer moms flaunting the coordinated outfits they’ve picked out for their families (refer to No. 1 on this list). However, today, more single individuals are joining the trend. This category is ideal for those content with their single status and eager to showcase the sophisticated life they’ve cultivated alongside their loyal canine companion.
4. Introducing a Fur Baby
Many couples use their holiday cards to reveal pregnancy or the arrival of a new baby, but what if the newest addition to your household isn’t a human infant? Simply strike a festive pose with your new puppy or even your fully grown, affectionate 60-pound rescue dog.
5. Capturing Imperfection
Dogs will be dogs, so not every snapshot will turn out flawlessly. Any photographer aiming for that picture-perfect holiday shot will likely need to take numerous photos, especially if the canine models are feeling a bit unruly themselves.
6. All Tied Up
Similar in concept to coordinated outfits but with a more budget-friendly wardrobe, this category of Christmas card photos blends together the joys of family time and gift-giving. Keeping your pup wrapped up in paper may prove challenging, so ensure your photographer is quick with the shutter button!
7. Santa’s Company
This timeless card idea has graced many mantels over the years, but a picture of your pup on Santa’s lap may not win you any prizes for originality. Why not add a touch of flair by asking Santa if he’d be up for a wet puppy kiss? After all, he must be a pet enthusiast to take on that role in the first place!
8. Naughty vs. Nice
In households with multiple dogs, one is often more mischievous than the other. If this rings true for your family, why not humorously highlight your little troublemaker this Christmas? A bit of playful teasing can serve as a gentle reminder to your furry companions to behave before furry Santa makes his return next year.
9. Light Show
What’s more festive than a string of twinkling Christmas lights? Your dog adorned with glowing lights like a Christmas tree, of course. (Just be sure to snap the picture before the lights start emitting a burnt hair smell.) Whether you opt for colorful lights or the classic white ones, remember that your pup can’t see red and green colors anyway.
10. Santa Paws
While children are typically taught that the real Santa resides in the North Pole, during this season, everyone wants to partake in the festivity–even our canine companions. If your dog can’t grow his own snowy white beard, you might need to buy one, but the charming results will elevate your Santa Paws to the status of a Christmas card legend.
11. Winter Wonderland
For those designing Christmas cards in chilly climates, the snowy backdrop just outside provides a perfect Winter Wonderland setting, as long as any traces of yellow snow stay out of the frame. No one wants that unsightly sight in their mailbox.
Discover more of our holiday favorites:
- Dogster Holiday Obsession: Sent-Well Greeting Cards
- 10 Great Dog Calendars for 2016!
- 10 Dog Causes to Donate to on “Giving Tuesday” and During the Holidays
About the Author: Heather Marcoux is a freelance writer in Alberta, Canada. Her treasured Ghost Cat was once her sole pet, but with the addition of a second cat, Specter, and the pair of dogs GhostBuster and Marshmallow, her fur family feels complete. Sixteen paws are definitely sufficient. Heather also juggles being a wife, a mediocre cook, and a former TV journalist. Some of her friends have muted her feed due to an overflow of cat photos. If you enjoy cat pictures, feel free to follow her on Twitter; she also shares pet GIFs on Google+.
Featured Image Credit: Photography by Anchiy / Shutterstock.
