Make your festive grooms feel magical, thoughtful, and unforgettable.

The Christmas season is the perfect opportunity to sprinkle a little extra joy into your clients’ lives — and their dogs’ too! A beautifully curated go-home bag not only adds a magical finishing touch to your Christmas grooms, but it also elevates your client experience, encourages repeat bookings, and helps you stand out from other groomers in your area. Even if go-home bags are not something you intend to do all year round I highly recommend you create one for your clients at Christmas-time.

They can be simple to create and inexpensive but at the same time create a huge impact on your client resulting in a memorable magical experience.

Here are some creative and budget-friendly gift ideas you can include in your festive go-home bags this year.

1. Home-Made Nose & Paw Balm

Handmade nose and paw balm is a thoughtful, practical gift that dog owners love. It feels luxurious, but it’s incredibly cost-effective to make in batches.

Pop it into a little tin or pot, add a festive label, and you’ve got a gift that shows real care and craftsmanship.

2. Small Festive-Themed Squeaker Toys

You can’t go wrong with a classic!
Mini squeak toys shaped like:

• Gingerbread men

• Christmas trees

• Snowmen

• Presents

They’re festive, fun, and guaranteed to get a tail wag as soon as the pup gets home. You can buy them in bulk so they don't have to be expensive to pick up.

3. Bumper Christmas Newsletter

Your Christmas edition newsletter is already packed full of value — so why not pop a printed copy into each go-home bag?

It reinforces your professionalism, showcases your knowledge, and gives clients something festive and engaging to read while their dog naps after their groom. It’s also a subtle reminder of the amazing service you provide all year round.

4. Festive Dog Treat Bag

A small bag of festive-themed dog treats is always a winner.
You can:

• Use shop-bought treats in cute Christmas shapes

• Bake your own with simple, dog-friendly ingredients

• Add a personalised sticker or tag for that extra touch

These can be super low-cost, but they make a big impact!

5. Bone-Shaped Dog Chew in a Mini Stocking

This idea is adorable and clients absolutely love it.
Pop a bone-shaped dog chew inside a tiny stocking — the kind originally designed as cutlery holders work perfectly and often come in affordable packs of four.

Add a little ribbon or bow, and you have a totally Instagram-worthy gift.

6. Personalised Keyring with the Dog’s Photo

If you want to deliver a heart-melting moment, this is it.
A personalised keyring featuring the dog’s photo is a gift the owner will treasure — and it costs very little to produce if you buy keyring blanks in bulk.

It’s meaningful, thoughtful, and guaranteed to set you apart from other groomers.

My clients absolutely loved these!

7. Personalised Christmas Tree Ornament

A festive tree ornament with the dog’s paw print on it is pure Christmas magic.

You can create these using:

• Air-dry clay

• Dough ornaments

• Simple wooden blanks (I used wooden blanks in the shape of snowmen that I picked up in bulk in "The Works". I picked them up on sale too so they cost very little)

• Acrylic baubles filled with paper paw-print cutouts

Wrap it in tissue paper, tie with a ribbon, and you’ve given your clients a keepsake they’ll hang every single Christmas.

Final Touches to Make Your Go-Home Bags Extra Special

A few little details can elevate the entire experience:

• Use kraft bags, festive paper bags, or recyclable gift bags (I decided to use recyclable gift bags as pictured above)

• Add a personalised tag with the dog’s name

• Include a “Thank You for Supporting My Small Business” card

• Sprinkle in a little tissue paper for a polished look

• Keep everything colour-coordinated with your brand (Pinterest-worthy!)

Wrap Up the Year With Magic

Your Christmas go-home bags don’t need to be expensive — they just need to feel thoughtful, festive, and full of heart.
Every item you add is a tiny piece of your brand, your care, and your passion for dogs and their owners.