Holiday gifts for dog walkers and dog physical therapist?

[jacksonsmommy]

Hi all - trying to be organized and get a jump on holiday prep and shopping (the malls are already a crowded mess here!) and am looking for good ideas for a holiday gift for a dog walker and for my boy's physical therapist. I typically go the gift card route for most people (garbage crew, landscaping company, etc.) along with a small edible like a box of chocolate but if there are any great dog-specific gifts, I'm all ears. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[kaialeena]

There are some doggy cookbooks out there that might make a nice gift? One year, I bought a cookbook with doggy treat recipes and included a couple cookie cutters. Or you can do your own baking of doggy biscuits and package them up in decorative bags?

[smartrock]

Do you think they'd enjoy, OK, wait, are they male or female? I was thinking of a gift card for a pedicure or something like that. Not that a guy can't get a pedi, but fewer do. I'd say a massage gift card, like from Massage Envy, but that might be more than you had in mind. Hmm, maybe I'll send that suggestion to my own kids as Christmas gifts. I was just thinking a dog walker or physical therapist might be on their feet all day and it might be a nice treat that is dog-related only in that that part of their body is stressed by what they do. Pedi's around here run about $25 if you go to a "regular" nail salon and don't go to some spa-like situation.

How cold does it get where you live, they have to stay warm outside don't they? Cute mitten weather? Cute socks? Solmate Socks - Mismatched Crew Socks; Made in USA; Bluebell Large at Amazon Women’s Clothing store: Casual Socks (I'm a bit of a sock junkie and I noticed some cute ones on the clothes line in Mr Kleb's random photo) I'm still thinking these are women but they do make interesting socks for men as well. View All

Oh wait, Find Womens Lab-or of Love Fun Socks - Fun Dog Socks | Socksmith

I worked in an elementary school and am just trying to think of gifts that were a a little different than hand lotion and candles. Blue Bottle coffee gift cards? What are some other places that are local and popular with foodies, rather than Starbucks or Panera or national chains for gift cards? I don't know, I struggle trying to think of things for people like that as well. If you have any brainstorms, let us know!

[jacksonsmommy]

Thanks for the suggestions! I hadn't thought about a massage or pedi gift card but both of those could work. One recipient is an ultra-marathoner, so I'm certain she'd make good use out of one of those gift cards! I'd definitely pair those with something like cookies for each person's dog, so that could together make for a nice gift. I'm in the San Fran area, so not terribly cold, but good socks are always useful.

As far as other ideas that may work for other people, I do like coffee gifts (Blue Bottle is really great) and some of the small batch / craft spirits that have come on the market lately. But I only give alcohol gifts to people I know well, as I would never want to inadvertently give booze to someone who doesn't drink for whatever reason, so that doesn't work as well in this case. If I come across any other ideas, I'll post.

But thanks for the suggestions thus far!

[Shelley]

I always like to give Amazon gift cards when I am not sure what people would like, or want.

Maybe a Gift card to a coffee house (Peets or Starbucks) given inside of a cute mug, with a dog or nice dog related saying on it.

Like this
Amazon.com | CafePress - Funny Dog Walker - Mug: Coffee Cups Mugs

Or this
Amazon.com: CafePress - Dog Walker (World Dining