#Middlebury #DogPark #YankeeSwap
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m invited to a Yankee swap party with friends I met at the dog park over the past year. The theme is not presents for humans, but for our dogs. I don’t want to get a gift that everyone else is buying, so what are the most popular pet items right now? That way I can hopefully avoid a duplicate gift. – Cheri in Somerville, Massachusetts
DEAR CHERI: If the item really is popular, I bet people won’t mind duplicate gifts – dog booties come to mind as items that wear out quickly in the winter and are expensive to replace.
For those not in the know, a Yankee swap (known as a Santa swap in other parts of the country) is a group gift-giving event where participants each bring a gift, then draw numbers to take turns picking a gift from somebody else – or opt to swap their gift for another gift. Things can get a bit wild, I know, but that’s how we party in the Northeast. The gifts are usually inexpensive – less than $50.
Concentrate on buying a practical gift that will make a dog more comfortable or happy. A box of treats, a raincoat or sweater, spare booties, a collar and leash, a chew toy or feeding bowl, or a stylish item like a bandanna or a bow tie. If your dog likes or needs something, then your friends’ dogs are almost certain to like or need the same thing.
And, since people rarely end up with exactly what they want at a Yankee swap, save a few dollars to buy something you think your dog will really like after the party.
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