A Cozy, Pet-Friendly Christmas: How We Decorate With Dogs in the House
There’s just something about Christmastime that wraps the heart in velvet — the soft hush of pine needles, the glow of warm lights, a steaming mug of café au lait nearby, and a pup doing that long exhale as they settle into their favorite corner.
And listen — we’ve been through our share of ornament casualties and tree-tilting incidents. At some point, we just had to laugh and say, “Alright… how do we make this Christmas dog-proof and still downright enchanting?”
So here’s how we welcome the season with a pet friendly Christmas tree and truly pet friendly Christmas decorations, while keeping our spaces feeling soulful, stylish, and oh-so-homey.
Pull up a cozy seat — let’s chat.
Choosing a Pet-Friendly Christmas Tree (Real vs. Faux)
For us, the pet friendly Christmas tree really starts with the tree itself. And we’ll tell you right now — we’re team faux all the way.
Not because we don’t adore the smell of real pine… but because:
no sharp needles,
no sticky sap,
no accidental dog snacks,
no sweeping every 14 minutes.
A good faux tree lets us relax. And the dogs relax too — nothing smells edible.
We also love placing a smaller tree up on a table or sideboard — a very “cozy New Orleans parlor room” moment. It feels intimate and intentional.
Anthropologie moment:
We’ve got a soft spot for Anthropologie’s their woven tree collars — they have that handmade, honey-colored texture that feels like something pulled
from a cottage shop on Magazine Street. And the best part? Dogs can’t crawl inside or tug on the base.
Pet-Friendly Christmas Decorations (the gentle kind)
We’ve learned that pet friendly Christmas decorations are all about softness.
So we say yes, yes, yes to:
felt ornaments
carved wood accents
linen or cotton ornaments
plush or knit textures
yarn garlands
ribbon ties
natural materials
These feel less big-box and more curated-interior-with-soul.
Anthro moment #2:
Anthropologie does ornaments that look like tiny art objects — quirky, whimsical, folkloric. They feel like treasures, not hazards.
And importantly — nothing sharp, nothing shatter-ready, nothing that glitters itself into a dog’s digestive system.
The Bottom-Third Rule (our secret trick)
Here’s where we use both style and strategy.
On our pet friendly Christmas tree, we keep the bottom third nearly bare.
A little sparse.
A little poetic.
A little Scandinavian restraint with Southern storytelling.
That means:
meaningful ornaments go up high
nothing edible or scented near dog level
no dangling ribbons
no glitter or tinsel (just no)
visual interest starts higher on the tree
It gives a calm, uncluttered vibe — and the dogs don’t even look twice.
Styling the Room: soft, soulful, dog-welcoming
This might be our favorite part.
Think cozy café corner meets home-for-the-holidays.
We love layering in:
washable rugs (because life happens)
soft throws that look as inviting as they feel
seasonal pillows
perhaps a little velvet
a gentle candle aroma — pine, bourbon vanilla, or cinnamon clove
and a cozy dog bed or mat nearby, because they’re part of the scene
This is where we lean into a curated-holiday approach:
We adore using a holiday decor from our Bark subscription — it’s like having a personal stylist for your home ambiance. Each month, a new little set of seasonal treasures arrives — textiles, accents, little delights — and suddenly the whole room evolves with the season.
This feels luxurious but lived-in, like stepping into a warm old house filled with soulful objects collected over time.
Holiday harmony
At the end of the day, here’s what we believe:
A dog-friendly holiday home isn’t something to “work around” — it’s something to celebrate.
A pet friendly Christmas tree means fewer worries.
Pet friendly Christmas decorations mean greater peace.
It’s the sound of paws padding across the floor.
It’s the glow of warm light on soft fur.
It’s knowing you can step out of the room for five minutes
and your tree will still be standing when you come back.
This is Christmas y’all—
Want our Holiday Home Checklist (with our top dog-safe decor brands, Anthropologie picks, and seasonal styling tips)? Join the Cozy Canine Club — we’ll send it right to your inbox.
