Hallowe’en is over, the scary costumes packed away for another year. Bonfire night is done, thank goodness, no more bangs, crashes or sparklers in the garden, freaking out Mum/the dog/the neighbours’ baby. Some very low-rate celebrity has been wheeled into town to turn on the festive lights. This means only one thing: it’s official. We can talk about it. Christmas.

Are you ready for Christmas?

The holidays are coming, and that means it's time to start thinking about what gifts to get for your furry friends. Here are some ideas to get you started.

-A new bed to keep your dog snoozing in luxury

-Some festive treats like a Christmas bone or special turkey flavoured food (we can help here with our delicious Nature's Harvest Turkey & Brown Rice dish

-Something cozy to keep your pup warm, like a winter coat or boots(!)

-And don't forget the stocking stuffers! A few small toys or treats (see our treat range) can make all the difference

 Here at Nature's Harvest HQ what we care most about, apart from which oil/fat will render our roast potatoes most crunchy and delicious (rape-seed vs duck fat is a row that rolls on in our house until Spring), is how we best show the dog the Christmas-love. We go all-out over here: a stocking for the dog, presents under the tree for the dog, specially prepared dinner for the dog…you name it, we do it. While the hound may have no concept of the nativity, or know all the verses to “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (though our dog would LOVE a partridge in a pear tree to bark at, for sure), treating him at Christmas makes us happy. And we all need a little bit of happy.

4 Tips for the perfect canine gift

It can be hard to know where to start.

Here are four tips to help you find the perfect gift for your dog this Christmas:

1) Start by thinking about what your dog likes best. Does he love playing fetch? Then get him a new ball or toy to play with. Is she always begging for scraps under the dinner table? A box of delicious, healthy treats might be just the thing...check out our range of Nature's Harvest HALO treats for ideas.

2) Consider your dog's personality. Are they a cuddler? A comfy bed or blanket might be the way to go. Do they make like Houdini aka a bit of an escape artist? An interactive toy that keeps them entertained and challenged might be ideal.

3) Don't forget about the basics. Even if your dog doesn't need a new collar or lead, a festive-themed one is a fun way to spread some Christmas cheer. And every dog could use a good brush (or two) to help keep their coat looking shiny and healthy.

4) Think about what you'd like to receive if you were a dog. A little thoughtfulness goes a long way, and your dog is sure to appreciate whatever you choose for them.

Christmas is also a good opportunity to replace old and tired dog-related items while the prices are Black-Friday low…oh yeah. Here at Nature's Harvest HQ we are nifty AND thrifty. Dog beds, blankets, mats, bowls, coats and leads can be found at bargain prices at the moment if you search hard enough, so seize the opportunity! (There’s always January sales too, but that is just NOT as much fun.)

Personal, Creative?

Are you looking for some great personalised Christmas gifts for your dog this year? Check out these amazing ideas that are available online!

-Personalised books where your dog’s name magically appears

-Portraits of your pet

-Engraved or named clothing or accessories

If you're feeling crafty, why not try making a gift yourself? Homemade treats – ahem – masterpieces knocked-up by the children in the holidays, toys and accessories can be just as special as anything bought from a shop, although the process might be a bit messier and we guarantee you will be finding glitter until well into March next year!

Creative gifts performs various functions:

a) It keeps the kiddos occupied for a few hours in the holidays

b) It encourages them to think creatively

c) It promotes a sense of ‘giving’ and not just ‘buying’ at Christmas so we feel less like consumerist puppets perpetuating the whole messy greed-fuelled hysteria…stop it. Not now, Nature's Harvest HQ, not now.

There are some great ideas out there for easily – and not too messily – concocted make-yourself dog gifts. For example, you can make a dog ornament for the Christmas tree, there are lots of easy-to-follow youtube tutorials for these. You can make your own dog-themed wrapping paper using plain brown paper and photos of the dog, with a few Christmas stickers thrown in (and the odd hand-drawn holly). You can push yourselves even more with some hand-knitted dog blankets or a special drawing of the pet to frame and put up on the wall.

Well, writing this blog has got us feeling all festive. Time to crack open the first mince pies. Ok, ok, truth be told actually they are not the first, we’ve been tucking into surreptitious mince pie treats since early October. Shh. No judging please. We might even ask Alexa for some Christmas tunes and start thinking about the human’s Christmas. We wonder who will take the coveted Christmas No 1 slot for this year?

Jingle bells, jingle bells….

What are your plans for Christmas this year? Are you doing anything special for your dog? Let us know in the comments!