As an animal and pet lover myself, I love that animals were likely present when Jesus was born. Pets can be one of the most delightful parts of the holiday season!

Animals are included in the original Christmas story in several places. Luke 2:8-13 says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and… said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’”

As the Angel of the Lord was speaking to the shepherds, they were working to keep watch over their flocks of sheep. That means sheep were present during the announcement of Christ’s birth—who is the ultimate Shepherd! (John 10:14-18)

Next, when we turn to the Nativity we see the tradition of animals present at Christ’s birth. While scholars debate what the exact meaning of “manger” means, many believe it was a feeding trough for livestock—meaning animals were likely present in the stable with Jesus! For years, oxen, donkeys, and sheep have been present in images of the Nativity, emphasizing the humble birth of the Savior.

Every year, my husband and I look for ways to celebrate our cat at Christmastime. My ginger cat, Boo Boo, is a precious and beloved member of our family. At this point, he’s been with us for eight years and we just can’t imagine our lives without him! When we visit my parents for Christmas, he loves to have what I call his “meditation time” every night by my parents’ large Christmas tree. He finds a quiet chair and stares at the Christmas tree for hours… it is so cute!! I love to joke with my husband that Boo Boo is praying for people in his special quiet spot and embracing the charitable spirit of the Christmas season.

During Christmas, we look for ways to include him in the season to make lasting memories for everyone. After all, Christmas is about showing charity and love to all members of society—and that includes our beloved four-legged creatures who can’t celebrate the holidays without our help!

If you’re looking for fun and meaningful ways to incorporate your pets into the holiday season, I’ve got you! Here are 10 ways to celebrate your special and amazing pets at Christmas.

10 Ways to Celebrate Pets at Christmas

1. Create a Christmas-themed Backdrop for Pet Photos

Get your pet camera-ready! You can create a festive Christmas-themed set and backdrop for your pet, creating wonderful, funny, and fun photos that will last a lifetime. Find some festive Christmas wrapping paper and use it as a backdrop for your photo. Next, grab a red or green blanket for the floor (or add more of the Christmas wrapping paper), and purchase a red or Christmas-themed bow tie for your pet. Because we all have such excellent iPhones, a professional camera isn’t really necessary. It’s time to take your Christmas pet photos. Don’t forget the selfie with your furry best friend!

2. Include Pets in Your Family Christmas Card

Many people love to send Christmas cards to family and friends, but unfortunately they forget about including their special pets in their photos. Adding your pet to your family Christmas photos adds a heartwarming element of authenticity, joy, and laughter!

Including pets in your family photos is a great ice breaker. It gets the kids laughing and involved in the photo shoot and keeps them engaged significantly longer. You can also dress your pet up for the photo shoot! No matter how you involve your pet in your family Christmas cards, it’s sure to create lasting memories for all.

3. Buy Your Pet a Christmas Outfit

Pet Christmas costumes are in abundance these days across pet stores. From a simple red or Christmas-themed bow tie to a full-on Elf or Santa costume, buying your pet a comfortable Christmas outfit for Christmas Day helps include them in the holiday in a fun and memorable way.

Online stores like Etsy also offer great options for handmade or customizable pet costumes, allowing you to find something unique that suits your pet’s personality. Whether you’re snapping holiday photos or hosting a festive gathering, dressing up your furry family members adds an extra dose of tail-wagging cheer to the celebration.

4. Give Your Pet a Special Christmas Meal

One Christmas, my husband and I were eating delicious food, our plates heaping with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and rolls. As I was passing by my pet’s bowl, it struck my heart how much I wanted to include Boo Boo in our celebrations. I gave him some fresh Christmas turkey and he was over the moon!

Since then, I’ve always made sure to give my pet some delicious fresh holiday food on Thanksgiving and Christmas that he can enjoy with the whole family. He is a blessing in our lives and we want him to feel loved and celebrated on Christmas too.

5. Give a Pet for Christmas!

One of the best Christmas presents in the whole world is to give a puppy or kitten to a loved one for Christmas. Giving a pet for Christmas takes special planning and care. From making sure your loved one or friend is stocked with pet supplies and food to ensuring your adopted pet is vaccinated and healthy, there’s a lot of planning that goes into giving a pet for Christmas. However, the reaction and lifelong memories that follow make it totally worth it!

All of us have seen those videos online when parents give their children a puppy or kitten as a gift. Usually, the children break down in tears and it’s absolutely precious. If you plan on giving a pet for Christmas to a child, make sure to let the family in on the secret and have a video camera recording the special memory. It will be unforgettable for all—you’ve just given a new best friend!

6. Adopt a Pet for Christmas

Christmas is about love, charity, and joy—which is why pets so easily embody the spirit of Christmas! This year, you can adopt a pet for Christmas as a wonderful way to do good and make a positive difference. Whether you adopt a puppy, kitten or, especially, a senior pet, you’re giving love and joy to an animal in need during one of the most charitable times of the year

7. Volunteer at a Pet Shelter During the Holidays

If you’re looking for a way to make an impact during Christmas and help those in need, you can volunteer at a pet shelter during the holiday season! Freely offering up your time and energy for pets in need of love, kisses, care, and a forever home is a beautiful way to honor God, whom “has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:9)—and that includes pets in need

If you find out that you love volunteering, you can continue to volunteer after the Christmas season and find a way to continually make an amazing impact for animals all year long!

8. Visit a Nursing Home with Your Pet

Nursing homes are in dire need of volunteers, and Christmastime can be some of the loneliest for the elderly, who are often isolated and alone.

One of the best ways you can include your pet in the holiday season is by bringing them to a nursing home as a co-volunteer. With their wagging tails, happy smiles, joyful spirits, pets give their hearts away, and Christmas is the perfect time to uplift spirits of those in need of love and peace. Your pet can be a catalyst for love for those who often spend the Christmas season isolated and alone.

By visiting a nursing home with your pet, you’ll create lasting Christmas memories for residents, workers, and volunteers alike—and pets!

9. Make Your Pet a Christmas Stocking

When I was growing up, my mom made a Christmas stocking for every one of her kids. Actually, it’s super cute because she still does it today! Growing up, it was the first thing we opened on Christmas morning and we all loved them because we knew they’d be filled with all sorts of surprising goodies and delicious candy.

Today I love to create a little mini Christmas stocking for my pet. It warms my heart to see Boo Boo’s little mini-stocking hanging up, filled with gifts and treats. He’s truly a beloved member of this family!

10. Buy Christmas Gifts for Your Family Members’ Pets

My mother-in-law was the first person besides me to buy my cat a Christmas present—and I absolutely loved it! I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful, and since then I’ve passed this tradition along to other family members too. I love to buy a little Christmas gift for my family members’ pets. It’s a special way I show love to my furry nieces and nephews and show my siblings how much I care for them.

BONUS: Take Pet Pictures with Santa at PetSmart!

Recently I discovered that you can take free pictures with Santa at PetSmart! If it’s already too late this year, make sure you plan ahead next year to get an awesome and magical photo of your furry kid with Santa!

Tail Wags & Tinsel: Christmas is for Pets Too!

Pets bring us so much joy during the holiday season. Our pets offer us endless joy and beautiful memories, and it’s a special thing to make the effort to include them in your holiday memories too.

By incorporating them into our holiday traditions, we can make Christmastime extra special and give back to those who give us so much with their sweet furry faces and open hearts of love.