Animal lover gifts are some of the most fun, I think. Gosh, I give people dog, cat, bunny, etc. gifts all the time!... Celebrating the importance of pets in people’s lives is meaningful in itself. Besides, lots of people with animal companions love to include them in the festivities. (Our dogs are real party animals - if anyone is opening a present, they want one too!)

Treats and toys get used up and are always welcome. (They don’t have to be given out all at once - kids might notice that you squirrel away some of their stuff, rabbits won’t!)

Speaking of squirrels, we had a porch squirrel one year who expected his daily ration. Many people feed the birds in their yards, or at the park... Yes, even dry bread can be a great gift for those with ducks nearby! Bird feeders and bird houses are popular gift items, as is the feed that goes in them. Protein blocks for the deer and elk? Give someone else a gift of creating a wildlife Christmas tree.

Another angle on giving to wildlife is providing workable, humane ways of keeping critters out of the house or garden... Maybe your friends don’t know about Hav-A-Heart traps for mice; or need a better garden fence to keep the deer at bay.

How about a gift certificate to a do-it-yourself pet washing place? Or for those on a tight budget, you could pay for their pet/s' training, grooming, or veterinary visits.

Or perhaps a portrait of their critter/s?