2020 Pawliday Gift Guide - featuring local RVA small businesses
Can you believe there’s 5 weeks until Christmas!? Yeah, it snuck up on me too. And with the whirlwind of 2020, I think it’s even more important now to support local small businesses as much as possible.
So if you’ve got pets or pet lovers on your list to shop for, here are a few of my favorite locally made goods & services that’s sure to make them smile & check them off your list! Oh, and at the bottom of this list, we have a great grand prize giveaway, so be sure to enter to win.
Swim Lessons
From: Paws to Swim
Why: Whether your dog is a beginner who needs to learn how to swim, or a seasoned dock diving pro, they’ll have a blast at Paws to Swim. With heated indoor pools in Rockville and off Patterson, you can keep your pup in shape and give them much needed exercise that’s easy on their joints this winter. (Rockville’s outdoor dock diving pool is open seasonally.)
Cost: from $30
Where to buy: Book your session online
All Natural Dog Treats
From: Cool Canines
Why: These locally made treats are made with limited, recognizable ingredients your pup will love! No by-products, meat meals, preservatives, artificial flavors, chemicals, and colors. And, they try to source from local growers and producers as much as possible. Our pups especially love their RAW essentials.
Cost: $10-$14
Where to buy: Libbie Market, Ellwood Thompson’s, Good Foods Grocery, Little House Green Grocery, Shields Market, Paws to Swim, Jon Henry General Store, The Dog Food Truck RVA, and online.
A New Collar
From: Collars by Carrie
Why: Just like the toothbrushes your mom always got you, a new collar is a staple of every dog’s stocking. Pick up one and get yourself a matching key fob this season.
Cost: $13-$24
Where to buy: Purchase locally from The Dog Food Truck, Lazy Daisy in Mechanicsville, or online.
Felted Cat Cave
From: FeltnCraft
Why: Does your kitty like sleeping in weird spots? Freya LOVES sleeping in random things: A shoe box, the hamper - any type of little enclosed space she can get into, she’ll sleep there. These felted cat caves have to be more comfortable than a Coconut La Croix box. And oh man, how cute is this little mouse?! You can also find other dog beds and toys on their Etsy shop.
Cost: Around $50
Where to buy: FeltnCraft’s Etsy Shop
*Photo from their Etsy shop
Custom Pup Cakes & Treats
From: Clementine’s Dog Bakery
Why: While you’re chowing down on Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham, your pup can be thankful for their own delicious pup cake! We ordered a 6’’ paw cake for Kona’s birthday and it was plenty to share with her 2 brothers.
Having a pawty? Go all out with a beautifully decorated two tier cake, cupcakes, and treats.
Cost: from $13
Where to buy: Place your order online. Treats and other goodies can be found at the South of the James Farmer’s Market.
Dog Bone Ornaments
From: Pencraft + Post
Why: Also available is a cat’s head, these acrylic ornaments can be personalized with your furry friends name and will make the cutest stocking stuffer.
Cost: $16
Where to buy: Pencraft + Post's Etsy Shop
Home Fragrance
From: Sydney Hale Co.
Why: I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely gone nose blind. And living with 3 doggos, that’s not necessarily a good thing. These room sprays will keep your home smelling delicious, (and not like a kennel, I’m looking at you Deeks) and you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping animal rescues with each spritz. My personal autumn favorite is Woods. And you can’t go wrong with Coconut Milk + Vetiver for summer. (PS: their candles are also amazing!)
Cost: Home Fragrance $24, Candles $30
Where to buy: online and in stores
A Custom Pet Slate
From: The Painted Garden
Why: Celebrate your pet by dedicating a spot in your garden to them! Local artists Karri & Mike take your favorite photo of your pet and meticulously hand paint all their features onto a 10x10 slate. Display on stand in your garden, or with a tabletop display.
The Painted Garden also has ready-to-go slates with popular dog breeds available.
Cost: Custom pet portraits from $178, standard breeds from $42.50
Where to buy: online - custom slates and online - breed slates
And of course I can’t end this Holiday Guide without two of my favorite things you can get from me.
Tails of the River City
Why: This book project has been near and dear to my heart and with the support of everyone who’s participated in the project, we’ve already raised $3,600 for the Richmond SPCA! How fantastic is that?
And there’s still more ways to help. A portion of proceeds from each book sale will be donated to the Richmond SPCA, and there’s a special contest in the works as well, so stay tuned for that!
About the book: Raise money for animals in need at the Richmond SPCA while reading this hardcover coffee table book. Filled with beautiful photographs highlighting the dog-friendly, adventurous side of our city and the outdoorsy dogs who call it home, this dog-lovers guide to Richmond is sure to inspire your pup’s next local exploration.
Cost: Pre-order your copy for $80. (This book is still in production and is projected for a mid-2021 release.)
Where to buy: Online here
A Pet Photography Session
Why: Celebrate the bond you share and tell your pet’s story with custom artwork of your best friend. Whether wall art, album, or a signature collection, we’ll create treasured memories to last a lifetime.
Cost: $299 retainer which becomes money to spend on artwork* after our session.
BONUS: Book a 2021 session before December 15th and receive an additional $200 artwork credit.
*Artwork pricing from $750, view guide here.
Where to buy: Book online here or purchase gift cards here.
Curious to see what a pet photography session is like? Watch the video to go behind the scenes with me during Kora’s outdoor session at Reedy Creek.
Do you have a favorite local Richmond maker (of animal related gifts) who should be featured in this guide? Comment below or send me a message, I’d love to meet them!
Want to win big!? Enter below for your chance to win our grand prize of:
• 30 minute swim session from Paws to Swim
• All Natural Treats from Cool Canines
• A new collar
• A personalized dog bone ornament
• A personalized dog themed slate
• Clementine’s dog bakery paw cake
• $300 artwork voucher from Kristen Murray Photography
— GIVEAWAY CLOSED —
Contest Rules:
Contest ends 11:59pm on December 18th, 2020.
Must be 18+ years of age to enter.
Pet photography voucher is valid for purchases of artwork and is not redeemable for the session retainer or cash. Must be used before November 15th, 2021 and session must be held in KMP’s normal service area.. (Richmond, Powhatan, Goochland, Chesterfield)
By entering this contest, you are giving consent to receive emails from Kristen Murray Photography, Paws to Swim, Cool Canines, Collars by Carrie, Pencraft + Post, The Painted Garden, and Clementine’s Dog Bakery. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Winner will be chosen randomly and announced December 19th, 2020.