Holiday Treats And Gifts For Your Pet Sitter

26/11/2021

Fun, easy, festive gifts for your pet sitter (and anyone else who deserves a little treat this holiday season).

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Ollie lounges on the living room floor with plants and a table in the backgroundPicture

Like many pets, Ollie is part adventurer, part home body.

People ask me all the time what’s the hardest part about planning my trips. They probably expect me to say that it’s arranging the visas or searching for cheap flights or maybe even just deciding where to go. But my surprising answer is always the same. My biggest challenge is Ollie!

Ollie is my beloved dog and he often does accompany me on road trips but for most of my travels, figuring out his care is a bit of an adventure. He can’t exactly come along when I’m on safari in Botswana or even when I’m at a conference in New York City. I want Ollie to be happy and relaxed when I’m gone and I want his pet sitters to feel the exact same way. I do everything I can to make sure their job goes smoothly. I set up meet and greets, I leave long lists of emergency information, and I make sure the house is well stocked with everything Ollie needs. And I go the extra mile over the holiday season. You can bet the cupboard is filled with ALL of Oliver’s favourite treats. And you’ll probably find a few gifts from Santa-Paws in there as well. But what about the sitters themselves? What do they need to feel comfy and cozy in my home? And how can I make sure their holidays are special too?

Afterall, you are counting on your sitter to take care of someone you deeply love, while they are counting on you to provide a safe, warm, welcoming work environment. You’ll talk about things you might not share with anyone else. But other things are more opaque. You probably know their professional qualifications much more than you actually know them. They’re staying in your home and caring for your beloved pet – but you don’t even know their favourite colour!

No wonder it’s so hard to find the perfect gift for your pet sitter. It’s a quandary! You want something professional but not formal, personal but not presumptive. Most of all, you want something that shows how much you value their work and the relationship they have with your pet. Here are some ideas to help you find that perfect present.

A hometown adventure kit

Large trees and small farm buildings are covered in colorful Christmas light Picture

An Ottawa hometown adventure might include tickets to Alight At Night, at nearby Upper Canada Village. It's the perfect festive adventure!

Not all pet sitters are nomadic but many are, and they love what they do because it allows them to see the world, one community at a time. Help them discover yours! A hometown adventure kit can consist of just about anything you can imagine, like maps and bus tickets, passes for a local museum or gallery, or perhaps tickets for a show at a community theatre. You might also want to include gift cards to your favourite restaurant or even “downtown dollars” if your community has its own currency to use at the local shops. Don’t forget to include a note that outlines all of your personal favourite spots and recommendations.

A selection of local treats

Three jars of different BBQ sauce in clear jars with white labels Picture

Jars of local BBQ sauce and hot sauce are a great gift!

Who doesn’t love local wine, craft beer, freshly roasted coffee, jams, pickles, and sauces? Absolutely no one. A pretty basket filled with goodies is a wonderfully warm way to welcome someone both to your house and your community. It’s also a nice way to include some holiday specific treats (like a seasonal beer or special candies) without being over the top.

Fancy - really fancy! - tea

Different colorful sample size packages of tea sit in a box

Who wouldn't want to unwrap a gift like this?

You don’t have to be a tea fanatic to fall in love with Tealeaves tea. This British Columbia based company is the go-to tea provider for some of the world’s most elegant hotels. They offer everything from high quality classics like Earl Grey to unique creations . You can buy canisters of the custom blends they create for the Ritz-Carlton Naples and the Four Seasons Hong Kong. There are even teas for jetlag! My favourite product are their teas inspired by Pantone’s color of the year series. All their packaging is so pretty that no gift wrap is needed at all save for a bow on top.

A sneaky stocking

Oliver investigates his red Christmas stocking, surrounded by gifts wrapped in colorful paperPicture

OF COURSE Ollie has a Christmas stocking - and a mini version (for humans!) makes a great gift for pet sitters.

A Christmas stocking is a highly personal thing – or it might not be a ‘thing’ at all if your sitter doesn’t celebrate Christmas. If you want to give a bunch of little gifts without the pressure or presumption of a "real" stocking, there’s a clever alternative for travel lovers. Consider buying them a pair of high-quality, travel-friendly socks (I love Smartwool’s hiking socks but there are plenty of great brands). You can stick a few classic stocking stuffers inside so they can enjoy some festive treats without it being too holiday focused.

A few always-safe ideas include gourmet chocolate truffles, a moisturizing sheet mask or multi-purpose lip and skin balm, and high-quality pens and pencils (I love LePen (Find them in Canada and the US) and Blackwing pencils (Canada/US). If their accommodations include a bathtub, include some fancy bath bombs (LUSH makes fun seasonal ones) or Epsom salts infused with essential oils, perfect for relaxing after hiking with the pooch.

If you’re being extra sneaky and hiding the stocking so you can send them a message about it on Christmas day, choose a location that no curious dog will sniff out, like the top of a closet. Safety first!

A pewter ornament

A pewter sanddollar hands from a Christmas tree Picture

A pretty pewter sanddollar looks great on any Christmas tree.

Normally, I’d argue that Christmas ornaments are just about the trickiest thing. Fragility and pets are not a good match! But the exception is pewter. This gorgeous, affordable material looks like silver and is just as tough. It will never smash or break. Amos Pewter in Nova Scotia has lots of seasonal designs but they also have ornaments that aren’t Christmas-y too. I love their nature themed ornaments, including birds at a feeder, a sand dollar, and a spectacular sea urchin. They’re the perfect token for, say, someone who does light pet sitting such as popping in to feed your fish or birds or lizards. Plus, they’re so pretty, they can be used all year as a window charm, a car decoration, or even a keychain.

A National Parks pass or gift certificate

Ollie, a black and white dog, peers over the edge of a grey floating dock to look into the water.

Ollie gets curious about marine life at Rideau River Provincial Park.

A national, state, or provincial parks pass is a fantastic way to show your appreciation in a way that will last for an entire year. Perfect for vanlife-ers and road warriors, this gift also includes a sneaky bonus. Most parks have a separate admission line for those who carry a pass, which can save hours at popular destinations like the Grand Canyon. If you’re a bit worried that your sitter might already have a pass, a gift certificate to the park store is a nice alternative. It can be used to cover the cost of a pass or for other practicalities like maps and stuffed animals (hey, they’re important too!)

A multi-service salon gift certificate

Ryan and Vanessa in bathrobes at a spa, holding coffee mugsPicture

One of my favourite treats: Spa day!

I would love nothing more than a gift certificate for a massage or a pedicure – but I know plenty of people who don’t exactly relish the idea of a stranger touching them (especially their feet!) Meanwhile, I wouldn’t relish being sent to a high stylist I don’t know but many people are the opposite, embracing the chance to try out a new look from a new artist. Personal care is a picky thing! However, a gift certificate to a multi-service salon is a sweet solution. A large center that offers everything from manicures and make-up applications to highlights and old-fashioned barber shaves means that there’ll be something for everyone. Whether your sitter is a student who needs a quality cut before the next semester begins or a luxury lover who can’t get enough hot towels and paraffin treatments, they’ll appreciate this treat.

A titanium camping mug (or similar gear upgrade)

Vanessa stands under a tent shelter in the rainPicture

Good gear always makes for happy camping.

I’m obsessed with the cooking section of my local outdoor gear store. Who knew there were so many ways to make coffee in the great outdoors? I particularly love the titanium camping mugs. (Find them in Canada and the US). They more or less look like regular ol’ mugs, except they’re made from ultralight titanium. Saving a few grams of weight here and there is everything to outdoor enthusiasts, but splurgy titanium mugs definitely fall into the category of things you’d love for a gift but probably won’t buy for yourself. If you know your pet sitter is a nature enthusiast, this is the kind of gear upgrade they’ll love. Add in a few flavoured hot chocolate sachets to round out the festive appeal. (And if you’re not sure what mug to choose, here’s a great review of several options.)

Other possible gear upgrades include a high-quality travel umbrella (you can read about the best of the best here), perhaps paired with some write-anywhere pens, which is nice for those living in rainy locations. Frequent flyers might appreciate ultra-rugged Ovener silicone and metal luggage tags (Find them in Canada and the US) and Tile tags and stickers for tracking lost luggage. (Find them in Canada and the US). And those road-tripping in northern climates for the first time will be glad to have an emergency shovel in their trunk, just-in-case (here's a good model for Canada and one for the US). (Maybe add in some nice gloves so it's not TOO much of a practical gift!)

E-Books and audiobooks

A stack of colorful travel books sit horzontally on top of each other on a white desk with cups of pens and art in the back groundPicture

Even small books can take up a lot of space.

Books are the perfect way to pass the time on a long trip. Perfect, that is, save for their size and weight. Oh, there’s also that little problem of having absolutely no idea what someone else’s taste and preferences are. A gift certificate to purchase e-books or audiobooks is a convenient alternative. (We should know: Audiobooks.com is one of our partners.) Your sitter can choose any book they like and they don’t have to worry about the room in their bag. You can augment this gift with a couple of popular magazines (perhaps including some local publications) tied up in a jaunty bow.

Grocery and market gift certificates

White countertop covered with groceries including several eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and bunches of herbs, also containers of spices, feta cheese, olive oil, nutsPicture

These delicious groceries were my supplies for an online Turkish cooking class.

It sounds practical to the point of being boring but there’s a number of reasons why this gift is a winner. It covers the cost of necessary items, freeing up the pet sitter’s budget to get the kind of gift that they really want. Gift certificates also augment their regular grocery budget to allow for some splurges – hello, wheels of cheese and packages of Swiss chocolate! And you can personalize it. Consider leaving a note listing some of your favourite local products.

A lot of farmer’s markets offer gift certificates if a grocery store certificate feels a bit impersonal.

Car detailing

Oliver, a black and white dog, lounges in the backseat of the car on top a grey hammock and blanketPicture

Ollie travels in the lap of luxury, sprawling on top of his bed and his quilted hammock. Car still needs a good scrub regardless. This boy is a shedding demon!

If your sitter is staying for a long time or you’re leaving them in charge of several rambunctious pets, a more generous gift might be in order. A car detailing package is the perfect gesture and comes with the added bonus of dealing with all the pet fur and smells that would have accumulated over the course of their visit. When possible, choose a mobile detailing service that comes to the house or one that’s connected with a bus route or a nearby coffee shop so your sitter isn’t stuck sitting at the service bay until they’re done.

A present for their pet

Two turquoise and white metal dog treat cannisters sit on a white kitchen counter along with a red Kong toy Picture

Some of Oliver's favourite things: The treat cannisters and his Kong.

Many pet sitters travel with their own pet or perhaps have a special furry friend home with their roommates or parents. Regardless of the arrangement, they’re definitely a good boi or grrl who is most deserving of their own gift from Santa-paws. Pet ownership will naturally come up when making arrangement with your sitter. Don’t be shy to ask a few questions about their furry friend. Do they love squeaky balls or fluffy toys? Do they love hiking or lounging? Getting a sense of their personality and preferences will help you include a personalized toy for their pet.

Gifts to avoid (really!)

Oliver the dog lies on the floor and looks up with sad eyes Picture

Behold the sad eyes of someone who didn't get exactly what they wanted....

Looking a gift horse in the mouth? Say it ain’t so! While it’s always the thought that counts, there’s no denying that some gifts are a bit more tricky than others.

Take, for example, journals and notebooks. Folks either love them, in which case they are very particular and likely have a very specific brand, size, and style in mind. Or they hate them, in which case the well-intentioned gift will never be used. (For the record, I love them and I've been travelling with soft cover Moleskin notebooks like these for over a decade.)

It’s the same for document organizers and passport covers. This is either a very personal thing that a frequent traveller would have to pick for themselves or something that they’ll never use.

Beware the giant, chunky novelty mug. Granted, I still have the oversized Starbucks “Scotland” mug I brought home from Glasgow in 2003. Yep, its handle broke in my backpack but a little crazy glue has been holding, well, like crazy ever since. (You can catch a glimpse of it in my earlier photo of the books). Though I’m glad I brought my chunky mug home, there’s no denying that they’re just about the most awkward thing to pack and travel with. I suspect most travellers feel exactly the same way.

Finally, while your pet sitter may indeed be nuts about pets, try to avoid dog and cat-themed memorabilia. Pawprint sweatshirts, water bottles, and keychains might be welcomed treats for some but for most, they’ve maxed out on the theme long ago.