Making Memories: Creating Christmas Eve Traditions with Kids, Pets, and Santa Paws

There’s something magical about Christmas Eve – the anticipation, the twinkling lights, and the excited whispers of children (and pets!) waiting for Santa’s arrival. Creating family traditions that include your furry family members makes the evening even more special. Here’s our guide to making this Christmas Eve unforgettable for everyone in your household!

Setting the Scene: A Cozy Christmas Eve

Start your evening by creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that both kids and pets can enjoy. Consider setting up a special “family nest” in the living room with:

  • Comfy blankets and pillows
  • Pet beds placed strategically near the family gathering spot
  • Soft holiday music (at a pet-friendly volume)
  • Gentle lighting that won’t overwhelm sensitive pet eyes

Holiday Photo Time!

Before the evening’s festivities begin, capture some memories! Some fun photo ideas:

  • Kids and pets in matching pajamas
  • Your dog “helping” arrange presents under the tree
  • Your cat inevitably judging all the holiday decor
  • Family selfies with pets trying (and failing) to look at the camera

Santa’s Snacks with a Pet-Friendly Twist

Why should Santa’s reindeer have all the fun? Create a special snack station with:

  • Traditional cookies and milk for Santa
  • Carrots for the reindeer
  • Pet-safe Christmas treats for your furry friends
  • A special bowl of water with a festive ribbon (because staying hydrated is important!)

Holiday Story Time

Gather everyone around and read some Christmas stories! Some of our favorites include:

  • “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (pets often relate to Max the dog)
  • “Santa’s Dog”
  • “The Night Before Christmas” (with extra emphasis on “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”)

Tracking Santa: A Family Activity

When you check NORAD’s Santa Tracker, make sure to point out all the different countries to your kids – and explain to your pets that the flying object they might hear isn’t a squirrel they need to bark at!

Christmas Eve Boxes: Don’t Forget the Pets!

If your family does Christmas Eve boxes, include your pets in this tradition:

  • New holiday-themed collar or bandana
  • Special Christmas Eve treats
  • A new toy (that doesn’t squeak too much – you want some sleep tonight!)

The Great Christmas Eve Walk

Before bedtime, consider starting a new tradition: the Christmas Eve walk. This helps:

  • Tire out excited kids and pets
  • Give pets extra bathroom breaks before the big day
  • Look at neighborhood Christmas lights
  • Search the sky for Santa’s sleigh

Preparing for Santa’s Arrival

As bedtime approaches:

  • Help kids arrange Santa’s cookies and milk
  • Put out reindeer food in the yard (pet-safe, of course!)
  • Ensure pets have a quiet space to retreat if the Christmas morning excitement gets overwhelming
  • Set up pet-safe barriers around the tree and presents if needed

Christmas Morning Preparation

Before heading to bed, make sure:

  • Pet stockings are hung with care
  • Cameras are charged for morning memories
  • Pet supplies are ready for morning routines (excited kids might forget to feed pets!)
  • Any new pet gifts are securely wrapped (those noses can smell through paper!)

A Note About Pet Safety

Remember that while Christmas Eve is exciting, keeping your pets safe should be a priority:

  • Secure the tree and decorations
  • Keep wrapped chocolate gifts out of reach
  • Have emergency vet contact information handy
  • Ensure pets have ID tags updated (just in case of holiday escapes)

The best Christmas Eve traditions are those that include every family member, whether they have two legs or four. By creating inclusive holiday activities, you’re building memories that will last a lifetime – and maybe even starting traditions that will be passed down through generations.


We’d love to hear about your Christmas Eve traditions! How do you include your pets in the holiday magic? Share your stories and photos and signup for our newsletter!