I love the holidays!

I think I must be part elf because I’m one of those people who starts planning their christmas presents in July, loves Christmas tunes on the radio and basically calls gift wrap stores my own personal heaven.

But two years ago, Christmas time in our family wasn’t an easy one. Our beautiful girl Soda spent her last Christmas with us before passing on 29 December.

She will be forever in my heart and I now smile when I think of her causing all sorts of mayhem up at Rainbow Bridge.

So now, when the time comes to put up the Christmas tree and unpack our Santa stockings in anticipation of the holiday season ahead, I’ve started a new tradition.

Soda’s stocking continues to hang pride of place alongside all the other family member’s stockings.

But now each year, instead of filling it with all sorts of goodies for her to open on Christmas Day, I fill it with all sorts of goodies to donate to a rescue shelter on December 25.

So while Soda may not be with us anymore, her joyful, crazy, loving spirit lives on by being an Angel Santa to shelter dogs at Christmas.

If you’ve lost a much loved furry family member, I can’t recommend this tradition enough. It’s the perfect way to honour your favourite pet and give back to dogs in need during the holidays.

REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR: FOR DOG LOVERS

Another tradition I’ve started this Christmas is the Reverse Advent Calendar.

Let’s face it, while real advent calendars (where you can fill up each of the 25 days of Christmas with a chocolate, note or gift) are super fun in theory, often all the chocolate gets eaten long before December 25 rolls around and all you’re left with is an empty calendar and your secret shame.

With a REVERSE Advent Calendar you don’t take something each day, but you add something.

So this year, I’m making a Reverse Advent Calendar for my favourite dog rescue shelter.

Starting December 1, each day I’m putting a cleaning product, dog treat, toy, old blanket or towel into my hamper with the goal that by Christmas day I have a great basket full of goodies that a dog rescue shelter would really appreciate.

The holidays can be a rough time for dog shelters, and it’s often their busiest season. So if you can consider these ideas for yourself, or just make a friendly donation at your RSPCA, ASPCA or local shelter, you’ll be able to help some lovely doggies in need this holiday season.

WANT MORE?

I’m over at IHeart Organizing today sharing my favourite ideas for giving back this holiday season – including more ideas for the reverse advent calendar, holiday parties and helping those in need this Christmas.