Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the Holiday 2015 issue of Catster print magazine. Click here to subscribe to Catster magazine.
Each year the editors of Catster.com and Dogster.com share their holiday gift ideas around this time of year. This is the first holiday season the two sites have been owned by i-5 Publishing, and the print editions of Catster and Dogster have come into being because of that ownership. So here are holiday suggestions from three people involved in the print edition of Catster Magazine: group editor Melissa Kauffman, managing editor Annie Shirreffs, and assistant editor Samar Khoury.
1. Cat/celebrity artwork by Heather Soodak
In an attempt to get some culture, my husband and I recently went to a local Friday night art walk. We were pleasantly surprised to find a small exhibit featuring cat art by Heather Soodak. Her cartoon watercolor illustrations are wonderful. They really capture the expression and movements of cats (and other animals).
Heather told me she grew up with cats and enjoyed drawing them as they pounced around the house getting into mischief. As an adult, she still loves drawing them.
“Drawing cats now makes me feel like a kid again,” she said.
A really cool aspect of her art is something called You Are Now a Cat, a website featuring her paintings of celebrities, friends, and pop culture icons drawn as cats.
“It started as an outlet for me to go on sketching, and I’m pleased that it has spread into something more and is continually growing,” she said.
Her recent show, 100 Cats, helped raise money for the Orange County SPCA and gave her a chance to meet other like-minded cat lovers (including me).
“There is something magical about being able to connect with others and help animals through this medium. It comes naturally to me,” she said.
To see more of Heather’s cat art, visit her website. — Annie
2. Cat Gift Tags from Idlewild Co.
A present is good already. A cat makes it better. As soon as I saw this cute little guy, I knew he’d liven up my holiday gifts. The tags measure 2 1⁄2 by 3 1⁄2 inches and are made from high-quality recycled paper, printed locally, and assembled by hand in Idlewild Co.’s studio. For $8, you get a set of 10 tags, plus plenty of coordinating baker’s twine to affix them to packages.
See all of the company’s gift tags and cards at its website. — Annie
3. Cat-themed holiday stockings
These stockings from Peking Handicraft are made of hooked wool and sturdy enough to use year after year. They measure 11 by 18 inches, so they have lots of room for cool cat treats and toys.
I love the Fish Bones stocking, but there are plenty of others, like the Kitty Paw Prints and Mice and the Paw Prints.
Starting at $20; Wayfair.com. — Melissa
4. Expressive Emoticat Stickers from Ulysses Press
What do you get when you mix an emoticon and a cat? An emoticat. Here’s a set of, ahem, expressive Emoticat Stickers from Ulysses Press.
Featuring a booklet with 10 stickers on each page, the collection contains pictures of cats with expressions including anger, shock, and surprise.
$14.95; UlyssesPress.com. — Samar Khoury
5. Seasonal cat-themed throw pillows
Seasons change, and I change the throw pillows on my couch with them (much to my husband’s amusement). Of course, I found the cat-themed seasonal wool hook pillows by Peking Handicraft adorable.
The company makes a variety of pillows in different sizes and prices. (The Black Cat with Christmas Lights is 14 by 18 inches and retails for $55.95.) Perfect for yourself or other cat lovers in your life.
Starting at $20; Wayfair.com. — Melissa
Read more on Catster about the holidays:
