A full costume is a great deal to ask of a pet who dislikes being dressed. A ribbon bow at the throat asks almost nothing: it weighs four grams, goes on in a moment, and reads instantly in a photograph. For a lot of dogs and most cats that is the entire sensible extent of Christmas dressing-up, and there is no shame in stopping there.

These are made up from ribbon by hand rather than stamped out of printed polyester, and it shows in the way the loops hold their shape instead of flopping sideways after an hour. Twelve designs run through the red and green Christmas range. Because they are ribbon rather than a novelty print, they carry over to a wedding, a birthday or simply a smart day out — the maker lists this bow for everything from Easter to a carnival, which is another way of saying it is not shaped like a Santa.

• Ribbon construction with a handmade finish
• Weighs 4g
• Twelve designs across the red and green Christmas range
• Listed by the maker as suitable for dogs and cats
• Described as a four-season accessory
• Supplied as one bow tie

Check the measurement first. The manufacturer gives the specification as 'as shown in the figure' and publishes no dimensions and no fastening detail, so we will not quote you a size we have not verified. Ribbon and small fittings also need supervision with a determined chewer — this comes off before you leave the room.

Who it's for: Dogs and cats who will not tolerate a jumper or a costume, and owners who want a festive photograph that takes five seconds to set up.