DIY Crafts: Dog-Inspired Ornaments for the Holidays

The holiday season is the perfect time to get crafty, and what better way to add a personal touch to your decorations than with dog-inspired ornaments? Whether you’re looking to create keepsakes that remind you of your furry friend or make gifts for the dog owners in your life, these DIY ornaments are easy, fun, and full of personality. Here are some simple, dog-inspired ornaments that will make your holiday season even more festive.

Dog Bone Picture Frame

A dog bone picture frame ornament is a cute and creative way to showcase a photo of your dog during the holiday season. This ornament makes a great personalized gift for dog owners or a meaningful addition to your own tree.

What You’ll Need:

• 10 small Milk Bones
• A 5.5 x 5.5 inch picture of your pup
• Black cardstock
• 4 popsicle sticks
• Mod Podge
• Ribbon
• Glue
• Scissors
• Paintbrush

How to Make:

1. Cut a square of black cardstock that’s 5.5 x 5.5 inches.
2. Measure a 5 x 5 inch square on the inside of the cardstock. To cut out the inner portion, poke a hole in the middle with a pair of scissors and begin cutting. You should be left with a ½ inch picture frame.
3. Glue a popsicle stick on each side to reinforce the frame. This will be the back of your frame.
4. Glue the Milk Bones onto the front side of the frame. You should have three bones across the bottom and top, and two on each side of the frame.
5. Cover each bone with a thorough layer of Mod Podge to seal them, and let dry.
6. Flip the frame over and add a dot of glue to each corner on the backside. Stick your photo onto the frame and ensure it’s thoroughly attached.
7. Cut another 5.5 x 5.5 inch piece of cardstock and glue it to the back of the ornament to secure the photo.
8. Create a bow with the ribbon of your choice and glue the ends to the back of the ornament. Once dry, you can use the bow to hang the ornament on your tree.

DIY Paw Print Ornament

If you want to make a lasting memory of your dog, a DIY paw print ornament is the way to go. These are a fun craft to make with your pup, and they’ll add a personal touch to your tree for years to come.

What You’ll Need:

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowl
• Cup or cookie-cutter
• Straw or skewer
• 1 cup of iodized salt
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of water
• Twine or ribbon
• Your dog’s paw

How to Make:

1. In a bowl, add the iodized salt, all-purpose flour, and water. Mix the ingredients together and knead the mixture for about 30 seconds until it’s a dough-like consistency.
2. Roll out the dough on a baking sheet until it’s flat and about ½ inch thick. Then, cut the dough into circles using a cookie cutter or cup. Make sure each circle is big enough to fit your pup’s pawprint.
3. Set the baking sheet on the ground and have your pup stand next to it. Firmly press their (clean) paw into the dough to create a paw imprint.
4. Use a straw or skewer to make a hole in the top of each circle. Once dry, this will hold the twine or ribbon you use to hang the ornament.
5. Bake each ornament at 200 degrees for 2-3 hours.
6. Once cool, you can decorate each ornament however you want. Get creative—you can add glue and sprinkle glitter on top, paint the ornaments, or write your pup’s name and the year.
7. Put ribbon or twine through the hole in the ornament and tie a knot to hang it on your tree.

Photo Transfer Wood Ornament

A photo transfer wood ornament is a simple yet meaningful way to turn your favorite photo of your dog into an ornament. It’s a keepsake you’ll treasure for years and surprisingly easy to make!

What You’ll Need:

• A printed picture of your dog on regular paper
• Wooden slab
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Modge Podge with a matte finish
• Twine or ribbon

How to Make:

1. Cover the wood slab with a thorough coat of Modge Podge.
2. Place the photo of your pup on top of the Modge Podge and press down to secure it.
3. Apply another thinner layer of Modge Podge on top of the picture. You should also smooth out any bumps or wrinkles.
4. Once the Modge Podge is completely dry, cut off the edges of the paper that overlap the wood slab.
5. For a cleaner finish, glue some twine along the edge of the ornament.
6. Glue a loop of twine or ribbon to the back of the ornament. Once dry, use this to hang the ornament on your tree.

No matter which dog-inspired ornament you decide to make, you’re sure to create a memorable keepsake that celebrates your furry friend and adds a personal touch to your holiday decor. These ornaments are fun to make and will become meaningful keepsakes you’ll cherish for years to come.