Toys as holiday gifts need not be limited to just human children! Our furry kids should also get their share of playthings as presents as well. All that is needed is a little creativity and only a few materials. And yes, the kids can get involved too!
Begin by drawing simple outlines of festive holiday shapes, such as gingerbread men, Christmas trees, dreidels, or snowmen onto construction or pattern paper. (The size of the shapes should be approximately 5 to 6 inches long.) Then take two colored pieces of felt and pin the paper with the outlined shape on top of them. (All in one neat stack.) Then cut the shape out so that you are cutting through both the paper and the two felt pieces. Now you are left with two felt cutouts, (you can discard the paper one).
Take a blunt knitting needle and some contrasting colored yarn. Poke spaced holes around the edges of the felt, then stitch together the two shapes at the very edges with your yarn, but only halfway. Stuff the shape with cotton balls or torn up cotton fabric from old T-shirts- (your scent will attract your little dog), until it is nice and plump. Then complete the sewing to close up the other half of the toy. Just before you are done with the last few stitches leave about an inch open and stick in some more cotton balls or fabric to make the toy as full as possible. Use additional colored yarn to sew designs onto the felt such as eyes, names, etc.
The great thing about these homemade toys is that there's nothing risky about them so your dogs can play to their hearts' content without worry. Don't be alarmed if your pooch's first instinct is to tear out that cotton stuffing. Trust us - that's what they consider to be the most fun! And because these toys are so inexpensive and easy to make, you can create plenty of them for hours of enjoyment. After all, isn't that what the holiday season is all about?