Tips To Help Make Things Easier For You and Your Dog

Do you have a special little pooch in your life? Or maybe more than one? As much as we may love our little ones, they are honestly a little bit of work. This post gives us all 38 great ideas of things you can do to make your life a little easier. Try some of these out and your dog may appreciate it as well.

Read the post here: 38 Unexpected Brilliant Tips For Dog Owners

Looking for more things to hand-make and DIY for your dog? Check out some of our favorite things to make for dogs. Owning a dog can be very expensive and not only does making your own dog beds, coats and toys seem like fun, it is also a great way to save money on pet supplies too. One of our puppy’s favorite homemade dog toy is a soda bottle ½ filled with rice. It is noisy, it flips and spins and has a spout for him to grab.

Looking for more sewing patterns for your fur baby doggies? Check out these sewing patterns over on Etsy.

No Sew Easy Dog Bed – Quick and easy to make, you will want this soft and fluffy dog bed for every room, if you are looking for more DIY dog beds check out these articles for making your own dog beds.

DIY Dog Shampoo for sensitive skin – Even doggies have allergies and this recipe is for dogs with sensitive skin.

Recycled TShirt – Dogs Tugga Toy This project was featured in Moderndog magazine and was so fun to make, the best part was ripping up all the old t-shirts. Such a great way to recycle.

Recycled Dog Collar – Pickup old shirts from thrift stores and make fun collars in different colors and sizes. Make sure to measure your dog’s neck before heading out so you know what size to shirt to buy.

Check out this article on 15 dog toys you can make at home.

No Sew Dog Wrap – Made from old human track pants, very affordable to make.

Peppermint Dog Soap – Stinky dogs are gone, peppermint is soothing and antibacterial too.

Dry Pet Shampoo – Sometimes they haven’t even dried from their bath before they are dirty again, this shampoo helps to brush out the grime.

Dog Cakes – Perfect for dog parties and doggie friend playdates

Dog Biscuits– 16 yummy dog treats you can make yourself at home in the kitchen.

Looking for pet supplies, toys, food, or gift ideas? Check these out.

Christmas decorating can become expensive one small purchase at a time.

A runner does not seem like much. Neither do the matching napkins. Then there are candles, place-card holders and a little arrangement for the middle.

Before you know it, the table has cost more to decorate than you intended.

This Christmas table plan sets a clear limit: less than A$50 in additional decorating costs for six people, using plates, glasses, cutlery and furniture you already own.

Food, drinks and household tableware are not included. The figures below are spending limits, not quoted retail prices.

You do not need to spend the full amount. Coming in at $12 because you reused nearly everything is an excellent result.

Make your budget before choosing your theme

Start with what is available at home, then allocate money only to missing details.

Possible purchase	Maximum allowance
Napkins, if needed	A$8
One roll of ribbon	A$6
Paper for cards or decorations	A$4
Battery lighting	A$10
One missing centrepiece element	A$8
Delivery, batteries or other extras	A$10
Planned maximum	A$46

The remaining $4 keeps the plan below $50 and gives you a little breathing room.

If an item costs more than its allowance, substitute something rather than automatically increasing the total.

Decide what you can skip

For this table, leave these off the shopping list:

New dinner plates.
Decorative charger plates.
Bought place-card holders.
Matching Christmas glasses.
Individual decorations for every chair.
A ready-made floral centrepiece.

None is essential to a welcoming Christmas lunch.

A bare timber table, everyday crockery and a consistent colour detail can look lovely.

Pick an inexpensive colour connection

Red and cream work well when you own plain dishes and traditional Christmas decorations.

For another option, use green paper cards and natural twine. If your plates are patterned, choose one colour from the pattern instead of introducing several more.

A single roll of Christmas ribbon on Amazon is an optional way to connect the place settings. Compare length and delivered cost, then make one sample bow to calculate how much you need.

Do not buy a second colour simply because it is suggested beside the first one.

Build the centrepiece from your decorations box

Use an existing shallow bowl and a few ornaments.

Our Christmas balls centrepiece gives you an arrangement idea, but a loose bowl display avoids buying glue and preserves your decorations for next year.

Choose colours that work with your ribbon.

If you do not own baubles, a bowl of whole fruit already included in your grocery plan can work instead. Keep it unpainted and separate from craft materials so it remains useful afterwards.

Make place cards from scraps

Cut six pieces of cardstock to the same size and fold them in half.

Write the names clearly. Add a small drawn star or a strip of leftover paper if you like.

Consistent size and placement matter more than elaborate lettering.

For another handmade detail, browse our Christmas napkin-holder ideas. Pick a design that uses materials you own rather than treating the entire collection as a supply list.

Decorate behind the table if space is tight

A small dining table can feel crowded quickly.

One paper-bag star on the wall nearby can provide a festive focal point while leaving room for serving dishes. Use suitable fixings and keep paper away from heat.

This is particularly useful when your everyday table is doing its best to accommodate extra guests.

Count the extras before paying

Include delivery fees, batteries, adhesive and any additional packets needed to finish the project.

Keep a running total on your phone. If a purchase would push you over budget, remove something or choose a simpler option.

After setting the table, take a photograph and note what you used. Next year, you can repeat the look without shopping from scratch.

A budget Christmas table works because you make deliberate choices. Spend where it helps, reuse where you can and leave the unnecessary extras in the shop.

Comments

Have you read?