We had so much fun working with Danielle Yancey on her Christmas card for our Tastemaker Collection. While Danielle has many interests and talents – model, yoga instructor, interior decorator – it’s her passion for dogs that inspired her Dogwood Hill holiday card design. She has three adorable pooches, Willie, Sweet Pea and Trooper, and she also sits on the board of Hand and Paw, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve lives through Animal-Assisted Therapy. Naturally, she wanted to design a card to reflect all the things her pups love most.
Danielle has put together a gift guide, perfect for your favorite holiday hound.
1 // Holiday Plush found at Home Goods 2 // Dog Rain Coat 3 // One Lucky Dog Treats 4 // Sequin Bow 5 // Santa Collar 6 // Chiffon Flower 7 // Candy Cane Jammies 8 // Reindeer Bed 9 // LED Leash
HOLIDAY MEMORY: My favorite memory as a child was in 2nd grade. I woke up and ran into the front living room to see what Santa brought and there was a basset hound puppy running towards me. I was so happy I cried tears of joy. My mom said I had tears streaming down my face. Another memory is of me (when I was around 6 years old) and my older sister (who was around 12) putting on a holiday show with many skits for my parents and grandparents. The funniest of the skits is “The Twelve Days of Christmas” where we danced out the lyrics of the song. We have this on video and we try to watch it every Christmas to have many laughs!!
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY TRADITION: Growing up we always had a Christmas Eve dinner, got in the car and drove around and looked at Christmas lights around town, then went to Christmas Eve Candlelight service. I still love to do this each year.
GO TO HOSTESS GIFTS: OLI.O Organic Infused Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Set, Marble Cutting Board with Cheese Spreaders, Bamboo Salad Claws or Yucatan Trading Company Scented Candle with Decorative Matches.
A HOLIDAY PARTY IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT: Guests, music and lots of laugher!
HOLIDAY COLORS: Gold, Silver, White, Brown and Green
FAVORITE HOLIDAY MUSIC: Carol of the Bells is my favorite song. It can be any version!
DECK THE HALLS: My mother cross-stitched by hand an entire tree skirt. I have it under my large tree every year. It means a lot to me and this will always be my most treasured Christmas decoration. I also decorate with a lot of organic, natural looks for Christmas and incorporate many metallic, mercury glass and faux fur elements.
ON MY CHRISTMAS LIST: I love yoga and also teach. I have had my eye on new yoga leggings and also a gold yoga mat! A new pair of heels and a fun clutch are also on my list.
I’M STUFFING THE STOCKINGS WITH: Growing up, my Dad always stuffed our hand-made stockings with large mixed unshelled almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pecans, tangerines, oranges, chocolates and small gifts. It was always a surprise to find the gifts or even money mixed in with all of the nuts & fruit. This year I am stuffing our dogs stockings with Christmas Dog Toys & Yummy Treats.
NO HOLIDAY TABLE IS COMPLETE WITHOUT: A little sparkle of metallic adds to holiday table decor. I love the festive look of gold, silver or even glitter or sequins on the table for the holidays. Also, you cannot go wrong with a display of candles to add warmth to a table, making it very cozy and inviting. (As for food, I have always enjoyed Deviled Eggs as part of a holiday meal, too!)
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If you are in the Birmingham Area, don’t miss Danielle’s Holiday Home Tour benefiting Hand in Paw, next Tuesday, December 13th.
