5 Beautiful Gift Ideas for the Holidays and Beyond
For me, the holidays are a time of giving, shared moments with friends and family, and taking time to reflect on the year. In addition to buying from local companies, I care about buying from companies that give back to their community. I'm also drawn to organizations that offer a special gift in exchange for a donation this time of year. Why not wear what matters to you for all to see? Caring about elderly dogs never goes out of style, which is why Muttville shirts made our list this year. Smelling nice is something every dog battles with. Having your home smell like the beach or at least a light soap scent is possible with candles we found by a Southern California company that supports organizations dedicated to ending the homeless pet population, and raising awareness about spay and neuter.
Closer to home, when you give to San Francisco's own PAWS, Pets Are Wonderful Support they offer a limited supply of beautiful note cards for a modest donation. Across the border, a Canadian company that sources and makes all of their pet products also supports Search and Rescue Dogs of Ontario. Finally, one of the most beautiful gift ideas that tops our list is a photo book.
Here are five beautiful gift ideas ...
SNIFF Pet Products
The cute names such as Field of Dreams and Day at the Hamptons are just the start of why SNIFF candles and aromatherapy diffusers make a wonderful gift. Aromatherapy and flower essence is something we believe in and Sniff does too.
“Harmony between plants & animals has long been known, as with essential oils and their proven vital therapeutic qualities to animals. Aromatherapy is a natural & safe alternative for pet care. Chosen according to their physical properties & energy, our essential oils respect the fragility of the olfactory sense, making our candles completely harmless to your pet. You’ll love the emotional balance, energy and overall sense of well-being Sniff will bring to your dog. Your best friend will thank you for it.”
The company donates a percentage of their sales to animal rescue and shelter dog organizations.
Head-Lites Collar
Having the proper reflective gear on you and your dog is important especially this time of year. The orange collar in SF Giants colors not only makes Cleo look like a showgirl, it adds a glow to make her less scary to kids in the neighborhood. Read the dog safety tips post. The collar has been a big hit. Head-Lites Pet Products is pleased to supply and support the Search and Rescue Dogs of Ontario. For every collar purchased, they will donate $1 to the S&R Dogs of Ontario. This amazing group of working K-9s and their handlers are volunteers and rely on their own funds and donations to be ready 365 days of the year, 24/7.
PAWS Notecards
For a limited time only, the all-occasion PAWS Note Cards can be yours - for no additional cost - with your donation of $25 or more. Proceeds from the Note Card project fund companion animal support services for low-income seniors and people living with disabilities - including access to the Pet Food Bank, free and subsidized veterinary care and more.
The series of stunning portraits taken by award-winning, fine art photographer Jesse Friedin delightfully capture the beauty and essence of a wonderful group of pets. Each card features the beloved animal companion of a PAWS supporter and can help you convey just the right message to a friend or loved one - whatever the occasion. Cards are blank inside and each card set includes 5 unique pet portraits.
Muttville Shirts
Your donation to Muttville makes all the difference in the lives of the senior mutts facing uncertain futures in shelters. Having my own senior dog, I am very aware of how much they deserve to have their final days spent in a loving home. Each week I share an adoptable Muttville senior dog because I know a forever family is out there for every one of these sweet dogs. Whether you love older dogs, or have adopted one of the 2,000 Muttville dogs, you can show all your friends how much you love senior dogs when you buy a shirt.
Photo Books
Whether it's for you or a friend with a furry loved one, creating a photo book is one of the best gifts to give in the whole world. They can reflect your views and experiences, or the pages can be filled with images collected spanning months or years - even a special event. I've made photo books from images taken by my iPhone and from my digital camera that have turned out nicely. There are multiple sources today that offer simple and easy templates. Prices can be as low as $20 and many websites offer first time discounts or special deals. This year we received a photo book dedicated to our dog Cleo from one of ladies who used to take care of her. It's a beautiful dedication to their time together. Below are four of our favorite photo book publishers:
Blurb is the software and publisher of the photo book we received. [See above]
Mixbook is highly rated as one of the best photo book publishers, and has been seen on The Today Show, The New York Times, USA Today and Yahoo!
Shutterfly is one site that I've used. They partnered with Ellen TV and provided resources and money to people and communities in need.
Picaboo offers a yearbook program for schools, and a Holiday Fundraising Program that helps raise funds for your cause.
Where do you buy your gifts that do social good? How do you find companies that give back locally or nationally? Let us know in the comments.