RE-TAIL THERAPY...Best Pet Gifts If You’re Flat Broke!

By Katy Cable-A 4 min. Read

Happy Holidays! I hope all of you are delighting in the merriment of the season and not stressing out over schedules, finances, obligations and expectations. I'll be honest with you, when it comes to Christmas, I tend to be a bit of a "Grinch"! I over-commit and never remember to take traffic, crowds, budgets, or my own energy levels into consideration. I’m usually left sick, tired, broke and frustrated before most people have their Christmas lights up.

Every year I promise I'm going to "scale-back" and do things differently but it never happens. I would do much better if the holidays came every FOUR years like the Olympics or Presidential elections. So, if you’re re anything like me, here are a few suggestions that I’m trying out this year. I’m hoping to have a much less chaotic, “happier” holidays!

🎁It's all about the gifts🎁
It astounds me, all these catalogs and websites showcasing “perfect” gift ideas that START at $500! If I had funds like that, I sure wouldn’t need a gift guide for assistance. But coming up with a personal, unique wonderful gift on a minimal budget is difficult. And honestly, most of us don’t remember what we gifts we got from people anyway. This year, instead of all my favorite products and finds, I’m doing something completely different.

When it comes to the hottest gifts this year, the big trend is not presents that need to be wrapped but “experiences!” I love this! Instead of your closet overflowing with thoughtful items you’re just dying to re-gift, now you can have some fun making memories with your recipients AND possibly treat yourself at the same time.

I’m going to start with my BIG IDEA for the pug lover, while this isn’t inexpensive, or something you can consider if you’re flat-broke, but if you CAN swing it, I promise you it will be the gift that keeps on giving and worth every penny you spend and more. That gift is to attend the 2020 Vegas Pug Party.

What could be more fun for a pug-obsessed person than an entire weekend of pugs. The last two year’s have been AMAZING! And I know if you attend, you’ll have the time of your life! So my one extravaganza is THIS! Put it on YOUR wish list, make plans with a friend, or just treat yourself! This is what I’m asking Santa for after having the time of my life last year. Please read my blogs and watch the videos to get a glimpse! (#Pugs Take Vegas)

This year the party takes takes place Thursday, February 20-23rd, 2020 at the Platinum Hotel &Spa. All the fun parties (PJ’s, Party Buses) from last year are offered, as well as the pug convention with vendors, seminars, auctions, games, contests, and a pug adoption fair. That evening will be the 80’s themed “PUG PROM! So, if funds are tight, start saving NOW or talk to friends and look into ways to keep costs down by carpooling, sharing hotel rooms and attending select activities. (Click here for link with details: Vegas Pug Party)

Back to my great gift ideas when you’re broke. If you have even less money than time, don't feel bad. Some of the most cherished gifts are those that come from the heart and don’t cost much money. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
🎁Are you great with a camera or love social media? How about offering to set up an Instagram for a friend’s new pet. Last year I made holiday videos for my friends. I used clips and photos of fun things we did all year long. On Christmas morning I sent them in a text message.

🎁Have a flair for fashion? Why not take a friend shopping and help them select some nice pieces for an occasion or work. Maybe hit a vintage store and get a special piece not found in stores.

🎁How about giving a friend a facial, massage, or show them how to make that amazing dish of your grandmother’s that they rave about.

🎁Have a cookie swap with some friends and place them on an inexpensive pretty plate.

🎁Fill small sachets or jars with Epsom salts and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Tie them with a holiday ribbon.

🎁Buy a pretty vintage tea cup and add a sachet of tea.

🎁Fill a small holiday stocking and with a coupon offering to do some dog walking or pet sitting for a friend.

My favorite holiday tradition is my “White Elephant Christmas” Postpartum Party. In between Christmas and New Year’s, I invite a few friends over. Everyone brings a favorite dish and a “re-gift” We have a “re-gift” exchange and play some fun games like PUG-OPOLY or Jenga. Some years we decorate gingerbread houses, others we make vision boards by cutting inspirational photos from magazines and making collages. It’s such fun to spend quality time with friends and it doesn’t cost much money. Plus we usually trade an unwanted gift for something we like better.

Other ideas are movie nights, a sporting tail-gate party or meet for pedicures or massages where everyone can treat themselves to some post-holiday pampering.

Another wonderful idea is treat yourself to a shelter pet. Many rescues and shelters offer “Home Fur The Holidays” programs where families can foster a shelter pet for the holidays. This allows prospective adopters to try things out before committing and gets a needy animal out of the stressful shelter for the holidays. Hopefully the pet will end up being a “foster-fail” and become a new family member. Check your local shelters or rescues for info.
​
I hope this year you’ll spend much less money and have much more fun by trying a few of these ideas. -And wIth all the money you save on gifts, I’m hoping all you pug lovers can make it to the 2020 Vegas Pug Party! 😜 HAPPY HOWLIDAYS!
​

🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

​