| With the holidays rapidly approaching, are you trying to | | | | the time to spend on these projects, there are a |
| come up with creative and unique gift ideas for | | | | number of options for purchasing pet-themed |
| pet-loving friends and family members? There are a | | | | ornaments that allow for personalization. is one choice |
| variety of simple yet personalized items that you can | | | | for finding reasonably priced gifts that can be |
| craft yourself with just a little time and effort. You will, | | | | personalized...and each purchase also helps animal |
| however, need access to the pet (or at least the pet's | | | | welfare organizations and other charities! |
| photographs) to complete these works of art. | | | | If you would like to try something other than an |
| Following are just a few suggestions that are sure to | | | | ornament, a personalized keepsake box is another |
| please pet parents! | | | | simple, yet meaningful gift idea. Purchase a nice |
| If the pet in question is one that you visit frequently, a | | | | wooden box (at least 7" x 7" x 7") and affix different |
| paw print in clay can become a meaningful ornament. | | | | photos of the pet on all sides and the top of the box. |
| You can purchase kits for making these prints, or you | | | | You can further decorate with the pet's name as well |
| can search for clay in various colors and textures, roll it | | | | as with paw print or other decals. You should be able |
| out and take a paw print impression. You can inscribe | | | | to find boxes like this at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or |
| the pet's name on the ornament as well. Put a little hole | | | | other craft stores. |
| in the top of the print and, once it is dry, thread a | | | | A personalized pet calendar is yet another gift idea. If |
| colorful ribbon through it. There are a number of | | | | you are particularly creative, you can make a one-year |
| different types of clay that will work for this, the | | | | hanging wall calendar with scrapbook paper, an 8 1/2 x |
| easiest being air-dry clay such as Crayola. However, | | | | 11" 2010 calendar printout, and the pet's photos. You |
| some of the clays that require baking, such as Sculpey | | | | can find printable calendars on-line (2010calendar.org is |
| products, come in a number of different colors and | | | | one option). Once you have printed the landscape |
| can make a more festive ornament. Websites such as | | | | calendar on a good quality paper, affix it to a |
| offer a plethora of choices! | | | | background such as scrapbook paper, cut large |
| A different type of ornament can be made using a | | | | enough to accommodate the calendar as well as any |
| lock of a pet's fur. You can purchase clear glass | | | | pet photographs you wish to include. Laminate the |
| ornaments such as those from Darice and insert a | | | | calendar, cut a small hole at the top and thread a |
| lock of hair into the sphere with a ribbon. You can | | | | festive ribbon through it for a year-long tribute to your |
| further personalize the ornament by painting the pet's | | | | pet-lover's best buddy. |
| name and the date on the exterior surface. Add a | | | | Other calendar options are available through websites |
| ribbon and it is ready to hang! A third suggestion is to | | | | such as smilebox.com, which allows you to create and |
| purchase a flat surfaced, "ready-to-finish" ornament to | | | | personalize greeting cards, notecards, photo albums |
| which you can affix a pet's photo. These can be | | | | and collages in addition to calendars, with a variety of |
| decorated around the edges with ribbon, and the pet's | | | | pre-selected designs. Output can be shared |
| name and the date painted on the back. Michael's, | | | | electronically or can be printed. |
| Hobby Lobby or other craft stores should have these | | | | These are just a few holiday gift ideas for the |
| on hand. | | | | pet-lovers in your life...and any of them are sure to be |
| For those who are not quite as artistic, or don't have | | | | appreciated and cherished. |