Pewter Wall Pegs

I've had these pewter wall pegs bookmarked forever, so when I went back to the link I was happy to see they're on sale for $14.99, down from the original $22.00! (I also note, though, that they've been discontinued -- so once they're gone they're gone.) Uncommon Goods often has stuff priced a little higher than I would like, but at the same time their merchandise always looks to be of very high quality. In any case, I think these pewter wall pegs would make great stocking stuffers, especially for cat or dog lovers. They're perfect for holding a key ring or two, or a dog leash. They're approximately 3 inches long by 1 inch wide.

What: Pewter Wall Pegs
Where: Uncommon Goods
How much (as of today's post): $14.99 (on sale from $22.00) (plus shipping)

Pet Food Can Covers

I've never been a fan of canned food for cats and dogs -- I'm not crazy about the way it smells -- but recently our vet recommended we add wet food to one of our cat's diets as he seemed like he might not be getting enough water. And I have been giving Pixel only a half-can at a time, so these covers might be just the thing for my own stocking this year! In any case, if you are looking for stocking stuffers for the cat or dog lover in your life, this set of 3 pet food lids is only $2.99 from the Container Store. Cats or dogs, your choice! Or maybe they choose us.... (I say this because I grew up a dog person and suddenly I find myself with a house full of cats!)

What: Colorful Pet Food Can Lids
Where: The Container Store
How much (as of today's post): $2.99 (plus shipping if ordering online)

Silicone Purple Paw Measuring Spoons

Surely almost everyone has at least one dog lover in their lives! If you have one, you can feel good about these silicone paws as measuring spoons because the Animal Rescue Site store contributes to animal rescue efforts with each purchase made. These spoons have stainless steel handles with silicone "paws" and are dishwasher safe. The set includes one each of tablespoon, teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon. Cute, don't you think? Plus they're on sale for $8.00, down from the regular $12.95 price.

What: Silicone Purple Paw Measuring Spoons
Where: Animal Rescue Site store
How much (as of today's post): $8.00 (on sale from $12.95) (plus shipping)

Sharon Montrose's Lightweight Note Cards

If you aren't following photographer Sharon Montrose's blog, you are really missing something special. Sharon has an amazing gift for capturing the beautiful, funny side of dogs, and all kinds of animals for that matter, and her photographs appear in books, in advertising (I remember seeing several at Target in the pets section), and in these adorable note cards that would make the perfect stocking stuffer for a dog lover.

The cards come in a cute little slipcase drawer -- I think there are 15 cards, but because Amazon thinks of everything as "books" they have it marked as 15 "pages". The dimensions are given as 6.1 x 4.7 x 2 inches, which I take to mean the little slipcase box, with the cards slightly smaller. The pictures themselves are from Sharon's Lightweights series of books, which feature tiny canines, most of them posed on a scale. Trust me, they are too cute for words!

What: Sharon Montrose's Lightweight Note Cards
Where: Amazon or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $11.01 (eligible for free super saver shipping on Amazon)

Dog Coin Purse

Some time ago, I posted about some adorable bunny coin purses -- which, incidentally, are now on sale for $5.99 down from $11.99. And now I see that Perpetual Kid also has a similar dog coin purse, also on sale for $5.99. Aren't they adorable? And I love that imitation leather instead of real leather, which I generally try to avoid. The coin purses measure 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall and come in a variety of colors. Perfect for kids and dog lovers!

What: Dog Coin Purse
Where: Perpetual Kid website
How much (as of today's post): $5.99 (on sale from $11.99) (plus shipping)

Dog Bone Paper Clips

I admit, I've featured a lot of different paper clips as stocking stuffers, including bunny paper clips, dragonfly paper clips, and animal-topped paper clips for kids. But since I had a cat lovers stocking stuffer a few days ago, am I not morally obligated to give equal attention to all the dog lovers out there? And these dog bone paper clips are too cute to pass up! They come from the Animal Rescue Site online store; 50 clips in a box currently cost $6.95 (on sale from the regular $9.95 price). I have several dog lovers in my extended family, so these are definitely on my list for next Christmas. (I'm actually a dog lover myself, but somehow a conspiracy of cats found me and took over my life, and they have forbidden me from having a dog in the house!)

What: Dog Bone Paper Clips
Where: Animal Rescue Site store
How much (as of today's post): $6.95 (plus shipping)

Pup Cups from Esty Seller "The Lab"

Several of my acquaintances have adopted dogs or puppies recently. With our veritable herd of cats, dogs are currently out of the question for us, but at least I'm able to get my dog fix now and again by visiting friends. Today's Etsy stocking stuffer, perfect for dog lovers, comes from Annie of The Lab shop. These pup cup "sleeves" fit around standard size (15-16 oz.) tin cans, making an eco-friendly holder for pencils, paint brushes, make-up brushes, candy, you name it! Or you can put the sleeve around a glass of the appropriate size and use it for a vase! The result is a holder or vase that looks like it came from an expensive gift shop but that actually costs less than $10.

Each pup cup has a description indicating the type of fabric it's made from. The labs are appliqués that have been cut out by hand and machine-stitched onto the fabric. According to Annie, the edges are "either double folded or have French seams for clean, fray-free edges." I think they're just lovely! And since most dog-related appliqués seem to be of Scotty terriers, it's refreshing to see these labs, which are one of my favorite dog breeds.

Be sure to look through the entire shop, because there's a wide selection of black, yellow, and chocolate labs to choose from. Some are holding flowers in their mouths, others have collars, others are carrying a leash, indicating "please walk me!" There's a wide variety of colors and patterns available, and the shop also has other lab-related merchandise.

What: Pup Cups from Esty Seller "The Lab"
Where: The Lab (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $7.00-$9.00 (plus shipping)

McTavish's Scotty Dog Shortbread Cookies

Here's a gift for someone who's both a food lover and a dog lover: a two-pack of McTavish Scotty Dog shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate. I found these on the Reigning Pets website, but I also saw a gift tin last year on the Williams Sonoma website -- it's since disappeared from there, but maybe they'll bring it back in time for the holidays. On the Reigning Pets website, the cookies come either chocolate dipped or covered with clear sprinkles, and cost $4.00 for a two-pack. (If you're a good baker, which I'm not, you could also make your own!)

What: McTavish's Scotty Dog Shortbread Cookies
Where: Reigning Pets website
How much (as of today's post): $4.00 for pack of two (plus shipping)

Silver Origami Jewelry

I've always considered origami to be a delicate, fascinating art form (one that is generally far beyond my capabilities!). Here, Etsy artist Gary from Allegro Arts goes one step further by turning origami into lovely silver jewelry -- and jewelry, as you know, is perfect for extra special stocking stuffers!

Naturally, I was first drawn to the pair of kitty earrings shown above. But I also love the seahorses! These and several of the other designs (goldfish, butterflies, angels, puppies) are available as earrings or pendants. I was also particularly taken with the elephant (shown at left). I'm amazed that such a simply shaped piece so clearly and unmistakeably evokes "elephant", but there it is. For each piece, Gary lists the size so you know exactly what to expect.

Don't forget to take a look at the rest of his wares, some of which incorporate beads and crystals. You'll especially want to see the gorgeous "Tres Mariposas" (three butterflies) bracelet, which combines handmade glass beads and sterling silver butterflies.

What: Silver Origami Jewelry
Where: Allegro Arts (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $20-$60 (plus shipping)

Cat and Dog Car Plaques

Now that I see these, I'm amazed someone didn't think of them earlier -- because we all know that cats are at the top of the evolutionary food chain, right? Well, at least they seem to think so! And I guess somebody figured they better make one for dogs just to throw them a bone.... (Yes, I admit it! That very bad pun was intentional!)

Anyway, these car plaques from One Nation Under Dog come in three varieties: cat, dog, and Dogwin. They are 5 inches long and come with adhesive on the back, so they can be stuck to bumpers, windows, computers, or any other flat surface you can think of. It's the perfect stocking stuffers for cat or dog lovers.

(Note: I first came across these car plaques at the Gifting Gumshoe blog, which has lots of great gift ideas.)

What: Cat and Dog Car Plaques
Where: One Nation Under Dog website
How much (as of today's post): $6.00 (plus shipping)

Paw Print Key Covers

I know I've featured key covers (also called key caps) before, but I just came across this particular style at the Animal Rescue Site and I had to list them because 1) they're too cute, and 2) at the moment they're super cheap!

Originally $6.95 for a set of four, these paw print key caps are now at an "anniverary special" price of only $2/set, with a limit of six sets per customer. You really can't beat that for an inexpensive and fun stocking stuffer! I will note one thing, though -- it looks like you have to use loop/ball chain to attach the key to a keyring, since there's not an opening big enough to go on your actually keyring without it. Still, these would be especially good for extra house keys for your family, neighbors, or petsitter.

[Note: Don't forget to enter my ongoing giveaway for a Swarovski rhinestone stretch bracelet. The giveaway runs through Saturday, July 11, 2009.]

What: Paw Print Key Covers
Where: Animal Rescue Store website
How much (as of today's post): $2.00 set of 4 (plus shipping)

James Thurber Reading Dog Pin

Current count shows I have listed seven stocking stuffers for cat lovers, but only two for dog lovers. Time to even up the score, say the canine enthusiasts! So here it is. At this price, it's definitely a Friday luxury item, but oh! I love this James Thurber reading dog pin from The Library Shop at the New York Public Library. It conveys both affection and humor with a few simple lines, and for me it combines two of my own loves: dogs and books.

The web page says it can worn as a pin or a pendant, and it has been cast in sterling silver via the lost-wax method (whatever that is). At approximately one inch in diameter, it's just the right size for an extra special stocking stuffer.

What: James Thurber Reading Dog Pin
Where: The Library Shop website
How much (as of today's post): $50.00 ($45.00 for members) (plus shipping)

Stocking Stuffers from The Animal Rescue Site

It always makes me feel good when I know that a purchase I've made, or a gift I've given, has also benefited somebody else. In a previous post, I wrote about Ten Thousand Villages, which operates on a nonprofit basis to bring handcrafted items to the United States and Canada, and -- most importantly -- does everything it can to get the maximum proceeds back to the artists and artisans in less affluent countries.

Today, I want to write about The Animal Rescue Site. This is one of those "click once a day" sites where sponsors pay for food and care for animals for each click made (and yes, it checks out on Snopes). As you'll see from the tabs across the top of the page, there are also opportunities to click and help fight against Hunger and Breast Cancer, and to help fight for Child Health, Literacy, and Rainforest preservation.

How does this fit in with stocking stuffers and gift ideas? There's also a shop associated with each of these causes, with some really terrific merchandise. For instance, this is one of the cutest mouse pads I've ever seen, and if your cats are anything like mine, it's completely true to life! (I have been at my computer with as many as five cats simultaneously on my lap, wedged behind me on my chair, or on top of my computer desk.) I chose this item in particular because most mouse pads are flexible enough to be rolled up and tied with a ribbon -- instant stocking stuffer! There are many other animal-related products, plus the other causes each have their own shops with appropriate products as well. It's worth checking out, and if you spend a lot of time online, don't forget to go there and click to help out these causes.

Dog and Cat Necklaces by Mark Poulin

I fell in love with these necklaces the minute I saw them. They're just so simple and satisfying, if that makes sense. I found them on the Uncommon Goods website, and I urge you to visit there semi-regularly and click on the "this just in" tab, because they really do carry unusual merchandise that you just don't see elsewhere. Some of it is a little pricier than I'd hope for in an ideal world, but it also appears to be quality merchandise.

In any case, these necklaces make the perfect gift for a wife, daughter, girlfriend, sister, or friend for whom cats and dogs are not just pets, but family members.

(Note: As of this writing, the website only allows you to choose the dog necklace, implying that the cat is out of stock, but I imagine it should be available again in the not-too-distant future.

What: Dog and Cat Necklaces by Mark Poulin
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $28.00 (plus shipping)