Puppy's First Christmas: Ideas, Keepsakes and Safety Tips
There's something extra special about a puppy's first Christmas: the first stocking, the first photo in front of the tree, and the first time someone discovers the puppy has unwrapped the presents early. Here's how to make it memorable, with keepsake ideas and puppy-safe treats, and, most importantly, how to keep your puppy safe and calm through the busiest week of the year.
A quick note on honesty: Waggle & Ink sells some of the gifts in this guide, and we've linked to them. Everything else is a general idea. Nobody has paid us to mention it. Our products show original breed illustrations with your dog's name, not portraits drawn from a photo. Prices were correct in October 2026.
Keepsake ideas for a puppy's first Christmas
A first-Christmas decoration
A decoration with the puppy's name becomes a family tradition. Each year it comes out of the box, and each year the puppy is a little bit bigger (and a little bit less likely to chew the tinsel). Our wooden dog Christmas decoration is printed in full colour with your puppy's breed, coat and name, in a heart, oval or bell shape. Read more in our guide to personalised dog Christmas decorations.
A "first Christmas" photo
Take a photo in the same spot by the tree every year to see how much they grow. Keep it short and fun, use treats, and don't dress them up in anything they don't enjoy.
A portrait for the wall
A personalised dog print with the puppy's new name makes a lovely Christmas present for the whole household, and a reminder of the year they arrived.
A family mug
For all those cold, early-morning toilet trips in the garden: a mug with the puppy's portrait and name. Already have an older dog? The Two-Dog Mug keeps everyone happy.
Puppy-safe stocking fillers
- A puppy-safe chew or rubber toy, sized for their adult size.
- A soft toy without small, easily chewed-off parts (and supervise them with it).
- A lick mat with a little of their usual food or a puppy-safe spread.
- Puppy training treats, so Christmas Day can also include some brilliant training.
- A snuggly new blanket for their bed or crate.
Wrap the puppy's gifts in plain paper with no ribbon or sticky tape, or skip the wrapping altogether. Many puppies enjoy shredding a paper bag, but supervise so they don't swallow any of it.
Keeping your puppy safe at Christmas
Around the tree
To a puppy, a decorated tree looks like the world's best toy. The Royal Kennel Club suggests:
- Using a strong stand or tethering the tree so it can't be pulled over.
- Putting the tree up a few days before you decorate it.
- Keeping the bottom branches bare, with lights, tinsel and baubles high up.
- Taping down cables, and covering the tree's water.
- Using a pet gate or tree guard, and only putting presents under the tree on Christmas Eve.
- Avoiding chocolate, sweets and salt-dough decorations on the tree.
Our wooden decorations are for the tree, not for chewing. Printful's wooden ornaments have a magnetic back, so please hang them well out of reach.
Festive food
The Royal Kennel Club's Christmas food advice and Dogs Trust both warn against giving dogs:
- Chocolate, including selection boxes, advent calendars and chocolate tree decorations.
- Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding, which contain raisins, currants or sultanas.
- Onions, garlic, leeks and other alliums, found in stuffing and gravy.
- Cooked bones, rich fatty trimmings, macadamia nuts, alcohol and xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free foods.
Ask visitors not to feed the puppy, and keep bins secure. If you think your puppy has eaten something harmful, call your vet straight away and don't try to make them sick. Find out your vet's out-of-hours arrangements before Christmas.
Visitors and noise
For a young puppy, a house full of new people can be a lot. Dogs Trust recommends:
- Sticking to their usual routine of meals, walks (if they're old enough) and naps as much as possible.
- Giving them a quiet place to retreat to, with a bed and fresh water. A doggy den works well.
- Offering a long-lasting chew or food toy when guests arrive.
- Making sure children know to leave the puppy alone when they're eating or sleeping, and never leaving a child alone with a dog.
Puppies need a lot of sleep. Protect nap time, even on Christmas Day.
New Year fireworks
For many puppies, New Year's Eve brings their first fireworks. Dogs Trust has fireworks advice, including preparing a safe space in advance and walking earlier in the day.
A first Christmas plan
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Early December | Order keepsakes before our Christmas order date. Put the tree up undecorated. |
| Mid-December | Decorate high. Set up a quiet den. Check your vet's holiday opening hours. |
| Christmas Eve | Presents under the tree. Chocolate out of reach. Brief visitors on "no feeding the puppy". |
| Christmas Day | Keep the routine, protect nap time, open the puppy's stocking, take that photo. |
| New Year's Eve | Fireworks plan: early walk, den ready, curtains closed, background noise on. |
And a gentle reminder
Puppies make the best Christmases, but they should never be a surprise present. A dog needs years of care, so the decision should always belong to the people who'll be looking after them. If you're thinking about a dog this winter, Dogs Trust's advice on whether you're ready for a dog is a good place to start.
Shop the Christmas collection, or browse by breed: Cockapoo, Labrador, French Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel and Dachshund.
Frequently asked questions
What can I give my puppy for their first Christmas?
Puppy-safe chews and toys, a lick mat, training treats and a cosy blanket. For the family, a decoration or print with the puppy's name makes a lasting keepsake.
What Christmas foods are dangerous for puppies?
The Royal Kennel Club and Dogs Trust warn against chocolate, Christmas cake, mince pies and pudding (raisins, currants and sultanas), onions and garlic, cooked bones, fatty trimmings, macadamia nuts, alcohol and xylitol. Call your vet if you're worried.
How do I puppy-proof my Christmas tree?
Use a strong stand or tether, keep the bottom branches bare, tape down cables, cover the water and consider a pet gate. Put decorations up high and presents out on Christmas Eve.
When should I order a first Christmas decoration?
As early as possible, and before our Christmas order date. Items are printed in 2-5 working days and delivered in 2-5 working days.
Is a wooden decoration safe for a puppy?
It's a decoration, not a toy, and it has a magnetic back, so hang it high and out of reach. If your puppy swallows any decoration, call your vet.