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I start Christmas shopping early

By Liz Palika

November 2, 2009

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Most years I try to start my Christmas shopping in August or September; that gives me time to spread the financial impact out over several months — I like to make a big deal out of Christmas. But this year has gone by so quickly I’ve found myself behind. So this past week I spent time browsing through some paper and online catalogs and thought I’d share some of my research with you for your holiday shopping.

My dogs love the Planet Dog toys so I always do some shopping there. The original Orbee has been a standard in our house for many years but Bashir also likes the Orbee-Tuff Mint. Planet Dog also has eco friendly toys made from recycled materials and also sells hemp collars. The Planet Dog Foundation provides grants for many service dog organizations.

deluxefullbraidedleashesI’ve been shopping at J and J Dog Supplies for many years.  This is the place to shop for that friend who competes in dog sports. They have everything from well made leather leashes to jumps, agility equipment, treat bags, and more.

AutoSport automotive outfitters  has seat covers, back seat protectors, and cargo liners for a variety of vehicles. They state, “These covers protect your seats and pamper your pets.”

I feed my dogs in Brakefast bowls. These unspillable bowls have plastic pillars in them so the dog has to slow down while he’s eating.  I tried putting rocks in their food initially but all three of my dogs were smart enough to simply remove the rocks. These bowls actually slow them down. Fetch Dog carries these bowls. They also have a variety of decorative collars, including eco friendly hemp collars.

Bronner’s Christmas Favorites is a catalog of ornaments of all kinds — it’s fascinating to see where their ornament makers’ imaginations have gone! They sell glass ornaments in the shape of Dachshunds, Jack Russells, Pugs, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terriers as well as several other breeds. They also have glass balls with I (heart) my (breed). These can be personalized with the dog’s name.  There are several other cute or funny dog related ornaments, as well as cat ornaments, horses, alligators and more.

Sormani Calendars has been selling calendars since 1940 and offers a calendar to suit everyone’s hobby or interest.  There are calendars for exotic locales, for book lovers, cat lovers, dog fanciers, train collectors, chicken owners, goat keepers, hamster owners,  lighthouse enthusiasts, and more. For cat owners, some of the breeds offered include Abyssinians, American Shorthairs, black cats, Burmese, calico, Himalayas, Maine Coons, Persians, and Scottish Folds.  There are even more dog breeds and horse breeds.

A general interest catalog, Potpourri  has some good gift ideas. If someone on your shopping list loves yellow Labs, there is a framed photo of a yellow Lab looking backwards over the back of a red sofa.  It’s very simple yet very expressive. Also for Lab owners, a yellow Lab and a black Lab are in a canoe, each holding a paddle.  Then there is a sweatshirt or T-shirt with illustrations of cartoon dogs dances their hearts out above the saying, “Dances with Woofs.” Very cute.

capuzMindWare: Brainy Toys for Kids of All Ages has some 4-D puzzles in the shapes of dogs and cats. The dog set has puzzle pieces in the shape of a ShihTzu, Dachshund, Beagle or Pomeranian. The cat set has a cream tabby, Persian, Scottish Fold, and a Siamese. There are 18 pieces in each puzzle. Other puzzles are in the shape of tortoises, endangered animals, dinosaurs, and more.

MindWare hasn’t forgotten horse enthusiasts. They have a Scupt 3-D Clay-Play kit. A pre-form movable skeleton is provided as well as instructions as to how to build a horse out of clay on to this foundation. The horse can be made realistic or cartoon.

So, you all know where I’m going to be doing some of my shopping. Do you have a favorite paper or online catalog for gift shopping?

Filed under: animals: pets — Liz Palika @ 7:20 am

20 Comments »

  1. I’m making needlefelted dogs (and one cat) for everyone on my x-mas list this year. :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/d.....055372403/

    Comment by Cait — November 2, 2009 @ 7:26 am

  2. I love these Stephen Huneck throw rugs, at the Land of Pure Gold Foundation’s store.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 2, 2009 @ 7:43 am

  3. Thanks for the links, but some are broken…

    J&J and the last two.

    Comment by Schnauzer — November 2, 2009 @ 8:45 am

  4. for sporty types, Clean Run has an awesome selection, with reasonable prices: http://www.cleanrun.com/

    I love these guys: http://www.sitstay.com

    Maybe the lowest online prices, but the worst online catalog (they do have a paper one): http://www.upco.com/

    I want to be on Cait’s xmas list… :-)

    Comment by EmilyS — November 2, 2009 @ 8:49 am

  5. Comment by Cait — November 2, 2009 @ 7:26 am

    I’m making needlefelted dogs (and one cat) for everyone on my x-mas list this year. :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/d…..055372403/

    If you’re gonna tease us with these adorably cute pictures, you have GOT to get a camera that can take in-focus closeups! NO FAIR! (insert whiney noise here . . . . )

    Comment by The OTHER Pat — November 2, 2009 @ 8:53 am

  6. My bad on the links. Will fix when I get home.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 2, 2009 @ 9:04 am

  7. I fixed them!

    Comment by Christie Keith — November 2, 2009 @ 9:12 am

  8. My daughter (who incidentally manages a doggy day care and boarding center - teh stoopid, she is genetic!) is rapidly turning into a crazy cat lady, so I’m getting her this for Christmas —

    Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure

    If they make a “Crazy Dog Breeder Lady” figure, it’ll sell out in an hour.

    Also, Archie McPhee is the BEST place for stocking stuffers, if you’re stuffing the stocking of someone with a sense of humor.

    Comment by FrogDogz — November 2, 2009 @ 9:40 am

  9. In an act of shameless self-promotion, may I recommend my book Buckley’s Story - Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher? It makes a wonderful holiday gift not just for cat lovers, but for anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet.

    For more information, please visit my website at http://www.ingridking.com . Personalized autographed copies are available upon request.

    Comment by Ingrid King — November 2, 2009 @ 10:26 am

  10. I love Christmas and so do my pets. My biggest problem isn’t finding gifts - it is how to keep the tree and ornaments in shape and keep the dogs from eating them. One year I had to put my tree outside on the front porch - it is as if the dogs just wanted the fresh tree outside and inside it was not going to work.

    Comment by Snoopys Friend — November 2, 2009 @ 10:48 am

  11. Thanks, Christie! Long breakfast catchup gabfest with some dear friends. :)

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 2, 2009 @ 10:57 am

  12. Check out http://www.etsy.com. Many shops with handmade items for animals and animal lovers.

    Comment by Cate — November 2, 2009 @ 11:22 am

  13. That is a nice leash set. I saw some really nice brown leather ones this weekend that would look amazing on my Boxer with his fawn fur.

    Comment by Animals Away — November 2, 2009 @ 11:43 am

  14. @Emily & Pat - you could be, for all I know - I signed up for a couple secret santa exchanges, LOL. :P My secret Santa exchange for one is a pap person but I have to admit, I don’t remember their name! :P

    Comment by Cait — November 2, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

  15. I want a felted flattie! I have had this woman’s etsy page bookmarked for, like, ever:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/gfelted

    The Sheltie looks like Drewbie. :)

    But the writing gigs will have to get a lot better before I drop $200 on something I don’t need. Hence, the bookmark, not the purchase.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 2, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

  16. If you like the Planet Dog catalog, you’d love the store even more. I go to college about 20 minutes from it and it’s a toss between my love for Planet Dog and my love for Fetch.

    Comment by thetroubleis — November 2, 2009 @ 4:56 pm

  17. I WISH I could visit the Planet Dog store! I’ve seen photos and talked to other people who have visited the store and they say it’s great. My fear is though I would lose my dogs. They’d rather stay at the store then leave with me. So maybe it’s for the better!

    Comment by Liz Palika — November 3, 2009 @ 11:22 am

  18. shopchristmasonline.com has great pet ornaments that can be personalized for free. Great prices also lots of breeds

    Comment by Sandy Kalczynski — November 4, 2009 @ 10:22 am

  19. I want a felted flattie! I have had this woman’s etsy page bookmarked for, like, ever:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/gfelted

    The Sheltie looks like Drewbie. :)

    But the writing gigs will have to get a lot better before I drop $200 on something I don’t need. Hence, the bookmark, not the purchase.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 2, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

    One of our dog-in-laws has her MFA in textiles and I pointed her in the direction of using yarn spun from the hair of a Zin-Q-Tee grandparent to felt a little flatcoat…don’t know if she did that or not. Felting is on my “to try someday” list of hobbies…

    Comment by Katie Bruesewitz — November 4, 2009 @ 11:43 am

  20. When Katie visited me last summer, she brought me a chicken she made herself. Said stuffed chicken/door stop is proudly displayed in the middle of my dining room table.

    Crafty, is Katie. :)

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 4, 2009 @ 12:02 pm

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