Design Crafters

Would it be a true American family holiday card if the family pet wasn’t featured in it, front and center?  Okay, sure, we know…not every single American family has a family pet, let alone one that is photo-worthy come Christmastime.  But judging by the number of Christmas cards that flood through our lives that do indeed feature Man’s Best Friend in festive holiday garb right next to the human members of the family, it’s not that unusual.

Looking at the statistics, it’s likely that you or someone you know might even take their children to see Santa each year, and to treasure the photographs they take there each year.  And many pet families are the same way, so there are pet dogs and cats who visit Santa each Christmas and have their photos taken there (often for use on the family’s Christmas card).  We say why not?  After all, even our four-legged friends should get to enjoy the joy and wonders of the Christmas season.  No one would argue with you if you said that the holidays are a time for enjoying the Christmas spirit with friends and family.  For many people (over 60% of American households, according to some sources), some very important members of their family are their pets.  As a result, it’s becoming more and more popular to include a family pet or pets in the family photo that often ends up on a Christmas card that’s mailed out far and wide.

More than ever before, in many cases, the family pets – be they cats, dogs, ferrets, birds, or whatever other furry or feathered friend – are treated as the family’s children, and indeed, many such households are childless but still consider themselves families.  As such, many households with beloved pets are going all out during the holiday season, much as proud parents of human children would do.  Special holiday taste treats, adorable cat-sized Santa hats or toy reindeer antlers for dogs to wear, and of course, their own special Christmas stocking to hang on the mantel that can be filled with pet toys and treats to be opened on Christmas morning.  They’ll be just as joyful as the children.