The best Christmas gift for your dog is something he will actually use or enjoy right away: something tasty to devour, something to play with or snuggle into, and a festive outfit for the family photo. Decorative items that merely look pretty quickly end up in a drawer. In this guide you will find gift ideas for every type of dog, an honest comparison between a Christmas hat and a full costume, and a few notes on what has no place under the Christmas tree.
What should you give your dog?
Take your cue from your dog, not from a catalogue. What does he love most? The right gift follows almost by itself:
- For foodies: high-quality treats with a short ingredient list. The gift gets even better if you hide the treats in a sniffing game on the big day instead of simply putting them in the bowl.
- For playful dogs: a new tug or food puzzle toy. More important than the quantity is that you plan time to play together on the day itself.
- For comfort lovers: a warm sleeping spot or a new blanket. Especially over the holidays, a quiet, draught-free retreat is worth its weight in gold when things get busy.
- For the festive appearance: a Christmas outfit for the family photo. More on that in a moment.
Remember: treats are part of the daily ration. Even at Christmas, the rule of thumb is that snacks should make up no more than around ten percent of the daily food amount.
For the festive photo: hat or full costume?
For many families, a Christmas photo with the dog is part of the tradition. The only question is how much dressing up it should involve.
The small option is the SantaPaw Christmas hat set (CHF 14.95): a soft plush hat with an adjustable chin strap plus a matching bandana, available with reindeer antlers, as a Christmas tree or in a Santa look. It comes in two sizes (S for dogs up to about 4 kg, L up to about 7.5 kg) and also suits cats. Our Vico wears the reindeer hat exactly as long as there are treats involved, and that is plenty for a few lovely photos.
The big option is the SantaPaw Christmas costume (CHF 24.95): a red Santa-style onesie with white plush trim, belt and hat, available in five sizes from XS to XL for small dogs. It is designed for short festive appearances, such as the family photo under the tree or a visit to the grandparents, not as everyday clothing.
Our honest recommendation: for a few nice pictures the hat set is usually enough, and many dogs accept it more easily than a full costume. The costume is worth it if your dog already knows dressing up and the festive appearance may last a little longer.
What should you look out for with Christmas outfits?
Three things decide whether the outfit is a success. First, the fit: measure chest girth and back length before ordering and compare them with the size chart on the product page. If you are between two sizes, take the larger one. Second, familiarisation: let your dog get to know the outfit a few days before the celebration, reward calm wearing with treats and increase the wearing time slowly. Third, your dog's limits: if he shows stress signals such as a tucked tail, freezing or constant scratching at the outfit, take it off. A relaxed dog without a hat makes a better Christmas photo than a stressed one with it. And as with any costume: only let him wear it under supervision and never pull anything over his eyes or ears.
Gift ideas for dog lovers
Looking for a gift for friends or family with a dog? Anything personal that gets used every day works well, for example an engraved collar with name and phone number or a picture frame with a paw print as a keepsake. And if you really do not know what fits, you can never go wrong with a gift card, so the lucky dog person can choose for themselves. You will find these and more ideas collected in our Christmas & Gifts collection.
What does not belong under the Christmas tree?
Chocolate, Christmas biscuits, raisins and seasoned holiday leftovers are off limits for dogs, even as a well-meant extra from visitors. So keep sweets out of reach and tell your guests too. Also be careful with gift ribbons and small decorations: whatever rustles and sparkles is fascinating for curious dog noses, but it can be swallowed. If your dog does get hold of something, call your veterinary practice or the emergency service straight away when in doubt, rather than waiting.
Prefer to browse in person? Off to the dog Christmas market
If you would rather pick gifts in person, two dates are coming up in the next few weeks: the dog Christmas market in Zollikon on 22 November and Doggy's Christmas in Lenzburg on 13 December. You will find all verified dates and tips for your visit in our overview of dog Christmas markets in Switzerland 2026.
One more note on timing: personalised gifts such as engraved collars need a few extra days. Order them at the beginning of December rather than in the last week before the celebration.
Frequently asked questions
Does my dog even notice that it is Christmas?
Your dog does not understand the celebration, but he certainly notices that something special is going on, and he enjoys rituals. The best gift is therefore shared time: a quiet walk in the afternoon, a sniffing game, a long cuddle session. The material gift is the bonus.
Which size do I need for the Christmas costume?
Measure your dog's chest girth and back length and compare them with the size chart on the product page. The chest girth is the more important measurement. Between two sizes, the larger one is recommended so that enough freedom of movement remains.
Can my dog try Christmas biscuits?
No. Christmas biscuits often contain chocolate, raisins, lots of sugar or spices that your dog cannot tolerate; chocolate is actually toxic for dogs. Give him dog treats instead, which he can enjoy safely. If he does get hold of something, contact your veterinary practice when in doubt.
