Christmas Pet Photo Ideas: 16 Cheap DIY Backdrops That Make Your Dog or Cat the Star of the Card

Christmas pet photo ideas are the easiest way to make a holiday card everyone keeps on the fridge, and you do not need a studio to pull it off. One roll of wrapping paper turned a sweet Boxer named Layla into a Facebook star this season, with more than 73,000 reactions on a single video. Pet owners everywhere are copying the trick with boxes, blankets and paper they already have at home. Below are 16 cheap backdrops you can build in an afternoon, each with a short supply list and three easy steps. Keep treats close, use shatterproof ornaments, skip tinsel and leave lights switched off near curious noses. Shoot near a bright window, get down to your pet’s eye level and take lots of frames. Grab the camera and let’s make your furry friend the star of the card..

Christmas Pet Photo Ideas Start With a Wrapping Paper Wall

This is the setup that started the trend, and it takes about ten minutes. Tape shiny wrapping paper to a wall in long strips, add a giant paper bow up top and hang a small wreath to one side. Stack a few wrapped boxes on the floor and your dog or cat sits right in the middle like the best gift of all. Red paper makes golden fur glow. For prettier packages to stack around them, try our easy gift wrapping tricks..

You will need: 1 or 2 rolls of wrapping paper, painter’s tape, 1 large paper or ribbon bow, 1 small wreath, 3 to 5 wrapped empty boxes, pet treats.

How to make it: 1. Tape the paper to the wall in overlapping vertical strips from about 5 feet high down to the floor. 2. Tape the bow at the top center and hang the wreath with a removable hook. 3. Set the empty wrapped boxes on the floor, call your pet in with a treat and shoot at their eye level.

Paper Bow Wreath Frame to Peek Through

Stick-on gift bows make the cutest round frame for a little face. Cut a ring from a big piece of cardboard and cover it with red and green bows packed tight. Prop it up in front of your pet, or hold it just above their head, and let them peek through the middle. It looks like a magazine cover. Holiday cards have a long history, and you can read about the very first Christmas card on Wikipedia. Our Christmas wreaths offer even more wreath styles.

You will need: 1 large piece of cardboard, a dinner plate and a large bowl to trace, craft knife, 40 to 60 stick-on gift bows, 2 small boxes to prop it up.

How to make it: 1. Trace a big circle and a smaller circle inside it on the cardboard, then cut out the ring with adult help. 2. Press the bows on in alternating colors until no cardboard shows. 3. Stand the ring between two small boxes and place your pet just behind it.

Cardboard Gift Box With a Peek Window

Cats already love boxes, and dogs will happily sit in one for a treat. Wrap a large shipping box like a present, cut a square window in one side and let your pet poke their head out. The result is pure joy on a card. Make the window big enough that ears do not brush the edges. Line the inside with a soft towel so it feels like a bed. Our cardboard box crafts will give you more ideas for leftover boxes.

You will need: 1 large sturdy shipping box, green wrapping paper, tape, wide red ribbon, craft knife, 1 soft towel, treats.

How to make it: 1. Cut a square opening on one side of the box with adult help, a little wider than your pet’s head. 2. Wrap the box in paper and fold the paper neatly into the opening. 3. Add a ribbon cross and a big bow on top, lay a towel inside and coax your pet in with a treat.

Mini Cardboard Fireplace With Paper Stockings

A pretend fireplace gives your photo instant cozy charm, with zero real fire. Build a simple fireplace front from a big box, paint or print red brick on it and hang little paper stockings from the mantel. Your pet sits on a rug in front and looks like they are waiting for Santa. Leave the opening dark and empty. Of all the Christmas pet photo ideas here, this one gets the most smiles. For a sturdier version you can keep all season, see our DIY faux fireplace guide.

You will need: 1 large cardboard box, red and white craft paint, a small sponge, brown paper for the mantel, felt or paper for stockings, string, glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut the box into a fireplace front with an arched or square opening and a top shelf for the mantel. 2. Paint it red and sponge on white lines to look like brick, then let it dry. 3. Cut small stocking shapes, glue them to string and tape them under the mantel.

Christmas Pet Photo Ideas Using an Old Pallet

An old wooden pallet makes a rustic farmhouse backdrop in minutes. Lean it against a wall or a porch post, hang a small wreath in the center and drape a pine garland along the slats. Your pet sits in front and the wood adds warm texture behind them. Sand any rough spots first so paws stay safe. Many shops give pallets away for free. Our pallet Christmas decor has more ways to dress one up for the season.

You will need: 1 clean wooden pallet, sandpaper, 1 small wreath, 1 faux pine garland, zip ties or twine.

How to make it: 1. Sand the front slats smooth and brush off the dust. 2. Lean the pallet securely against a wall and make sure it cannot tip. 3. Tie the wreath to the center and wrap the garland along the slats with zip ties.

Plaid Blanket and Pillow Cozy Corner

Some pets are not posers, they are nappers. For them, build a cozy corner and wait for the sleepy moment. Lay a red plaid blanket on a chair or window seat, add a chunky knit pillow and set a small wrapped gift beside it. Soft window light does the rest. A curled up cat on plaid is the most relaxing card you can send. For more ways to use that classic pattern, see our plaid Christmas decor.

You will need: 1 red plaid blanket, 1 knit or cable pillow, 1 small wrapped gift box, a spot near a window.

How to make it: 1. Fold the blanket loosely on a chair or window seat near soft light. 2. Tuck the pillow at the back and set the gift on one side. 3. Let your pet settle in, wait for a calm moment and take the photo from a low angle.

Paper Snowflake Wall on a White Sheet

A white sheet covered in paper snowflakes looks like a winter wonderland, and kids can help make every flake. Hang the sheet with tape or clips, then pin or tape on as many snowflakes as you can cut. A white or light pet glows against it, and darker pets pop. It is soft, airy and perfect for a calm, classic card. Our paper snowflake ideas will show you prettier folds to try.

You will need: 1 white flat sheet, painter’s tape or clips, white printer paper, scissors, small pieces of double sided tape.

How to make it: 1. Hang the sheet smoothly on a wall from about 5 feet high down to the floor. 2. Fold and cut 20 to 30 paper snowflakes in different sizes. 3. Stick them to the sheet with double sided tape, spacing big and small ones evenly.

Christmas Pet Photo Ideas With Giant Paper Candy Canes

Giant candy canes framing a small dog look like a scene from a holiday storybook. Make them from cardboard tubes or poster board shaped into a hook and wrapped with red and white paper stripes. Stand one on each side of your pet against a plain wall. The simple setup lets their face be the star. Keep them steady with a little weight in the base. Our candy cane crafts have more sweet ways to use the stripes.

You will need: 2 long cardboard tubes or rolled poster boards, white poster board for the hooks, red paper or red tape, glue, 2 small boxes filled with books for bases.

How to make it: 1. Cut a hook shape from poster board and glue it to the top of each tube. 2. Wrap red paper or tape in diagonal stripes from top to bottom. 3. Tape each cane to a weighted box and stand them on either side of your pet.

Wooden Crate Sleigh With a Fleece Throw

Turn a wooden crate into a little sleigh and your pet becomes the Christmas passenger. No tools needed: glue two curved cardboard runners to the sides, fill the crate with a red fleece throw and add a small pine garland to the front. Small dogs and cats love curling up inside. Keep the crate on the floor so nobody tumbles out. It is one of the cutest Christmas pet photo ideas for small pets. For more crate looks, see our wooden crate Christmas decor ideas.

You will need: 1 wooden crate, thick cardboard, brown paint, strong craft glue, 1 red fleece throw, 1 short pine garland.

How to make it: 1. Cut two long curved runner shapes from thick cardboard and paint them brown. 2. Glue one runner to each long side of the crate and let it dry fully. 3. Fill the crate with the fleece throw and tie the garland across the front.

Cardboard Santa Mailbox With a Letter Slot

A bright red mailbox with a letter sticking out tells a story without a single word. Build it from a shoe box or a small shipping box, round the top with poster board and paint it red. Slide a blank envelope into the slot and set your pet beside it. It looks like they just mailed their wish list to Santa. For more mailbox fun, see our Christmas mailbox decor.

You will need: 1 shoe box or small box, 1 piece of poster board, red craft paint, a craft knife, 1 white envelope, tape.

How to make it: 1. Tape a curved piece of poster board over the top of the box to make the rounded mailbox shape. 2. Cut a thin slot near the front with adult help and paint the box red. 3. Once dry, slide the envelope halfway into the slot and set it next to your pet.

Craft Paper Triangle Tree Behind a Cat

This flat paper tree is perfect for small spaces and for cats who knock over real trees. Cut green craft paper into triangles in three sizes and tape them to a white wall in a tree shape, biggest at the bottom. Add a paper star on top. Your cat sits underneath and suddenly you have a minimalist card that looks very modern. Our cardboard Christmas decorations have more flat and fold-away ideas.

You will need: Green craft paper in two shades, yellow paper for the star, scissors, painter’s tape.

How to make it: 1. Cut 6 to 8 green triangles in large, medium and small sizes. 2. Tape them to the wall in overlapping rows, largest at the bottom and smallest at the top. 3. Cut a yellow star, tape it to the top point and seat your cat below.

Christmas Pet Photo Ideas With a Shatterproof Ornament Curtain

A curtain of hanging ornaments looks dazzling behind a pet, and it is easy to make safely. Tie shatterproof ornaments to ribbons at different lengths and hang them from a curtain rod or a tension rod. Red, gold and green look classic. Keep the lowest ornaments above nose height so nobody tries to play. Never use glass ornaments or tinsel near pets. Our pet proof Christmas guide has more ways to keep the season safe and pretty.

You will need: 20 to 30 shatterproof ornaments, a spool of narrow ribbon, 1 tension rod or curtain rod, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut ribbons in lengths from 1 to 3 feet. 2. Tie an ornament to the end of each ribbon and knot the other end around the rod. 3. Mix the lengths and colors, then check that the lowest ornaments hang above your pet’s head.

Painted Cardboard Gingerbread House Front

A giant gingerbread house front makes your pet look like they live in a cookie cottage. Cut a house shape from a large flat box, paint it brown and add white icing trim, candy dots and little windows. Cut a door in the center so a small pet can sit in the doorway. It is bright, sweet and fun for kids to decorate. For more cookie cottage inspiration, see our gingerbread house ideas.

You will need: 1 large flat cardboard box, brown, white, red and green craft paint, paint brushes, a craft knife, 2 boxes to prop it up.

How to make it: 1. Draw a house with a peaked roof, two windows and a center door, then cut it out with adult help. 2. Paint it brown and add white wavy trim, candy dots and window frames. 3. Prop it up from behind with boxes and seat your pet in the doorway.

Hot Cocoa Mugs and a Knit Scarf Scene

For a cozy card, wrap your pet in a soft knit scarf and set two mugs of cocoa beside them on a cream blanket. Marshmallows on top make it look sweet and wintry. Use empty mugs stuffed with cotton if your pet is the curious type, and never let them drink the cocoa, since chocolate is not safe for pets. The scene feels warm and calm. Our hot cocoa bar ideas can turn the leftovers into a treat for the humans.

You will need: 1 soft knit scarf, 2 plain white mugs, mini marshmallows or cotton, 1 cream or white knit blanket.

How to make it: 1. Spread the blanket on the floor or couch near a window. 2. Fill the mugs and top them with marshmallows, or use cotton as a safe stand-in. 3. Loop the scarf loosely around your pet’s neck, set the mugs nearby and shoot right away.

Kraft Paper Wrapped Front Door With a Big Bow

Wrap your front door like a present and you get a backdrop and a holiday decoration in one. Cover the door in brown kraft paper, add a wide red ribbon in a cross and finish with a big bow. Your dog sits on the welcome mat in front and the photo looks like a postcard. It is a great outdoor option for big dogs. Our Christmas classroom door ideas have more fun ways to wrap a door.

You will need: 1 roll of brown kraft paper, painter’s tape, 1 roll of wide red ribbon, 1 large red bow.

How to make it: 1. Cover the outside of the door in kraft paper, taping it on the inside edges so it still opens. 2. Run ribbon down the middle and across, taping the ends on the back. 3. Attach the big bow where the ribbons cross and seat your dog on the mat.

Christmas Pet Photo Ideas With Cotton Batting Snow

End with a snowy scene that never melts. Spread fluffy cotton batting on the floor in front of a pale blue sheet and scatter a few paper pinecones. A white cat looks magical here, and darker pets stand out beautifully. Stay close the entire time, because cotton is not a snack. It is one of the softest Christmas pet photo ideas of all and a lovely way to close your card set. For more snowy looks, see our faux snow Christmas decor.

You will need: 1 roll of cotton batting, 1 pale blue sheet or poster board, brown paper, scissors, tape.

How to make it: 1. Hang the blue sheet behind your setup and spread the batting in soft, lumpy drifts on the floor. 2. Cut small brown paper pinecones from layered scallop shapes and tape them together. 3. Scatter the pinecones, set your pet on the snow and take the photo quickly.