Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

15 Free DIY Cat Christmas Ornaments You Can Create at Home (With Pictures)

Share

Cat christmas tree ornament

Cats and Christmas have a lot in common. They are both loved by millions of people around the world, they are both associated with love and happiness, and both cats and Christmas can bring joy and comfort to those who are feeling lonely or down. On the other hand, both can be a source of stress for those who are trying to keep everything perfect, and they can both leave a lot of torn-up paper around our houses!

Christmas is a great time to be a cat. Cats enjoy the holiday season just as much as humans do, if not more. They love to play with Christmas trees and decorations, and they love the extra attention they get from family members who are home for the holidays. Cats also enjoy all the holiday food, especially the turkey!

And what’s more festive than making your own Christmas decorations? If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to show off your love of cats this holiday season, look no further than these amazing DIY cat Christmas ornament plans. These easy-to-follow plans will have you creating beautiful, unique ornaments for your tree in no time. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, these plans are sure to please you or make great gifts for others. So, get your supplies and get crafting!

divider 2 cats

The 15 DIY Cat Christmas Ornaments

1. Cat Treat Hanging Christmas Gifts by Life Is Sweeter by Design

DIY Cat Christmas Ornament
Image Credit: lifeissweeterbydesign
Materials Needed: Fillable clear ornaments, cat treats, ribbon, and embellishments
Difficulty Level: Beginner

The Christmas season is a time for giving, and what better way to show your cat how much you love them than with a homemade gift? These hanging tree gifts are a great way to show your feline friend some holiday cheer, and they’re also a lot of fun to make! Your cat will be looking at your clear ornament all season long if you fill it with some of their favorite treats and embellish it with stickers. Your cat can enjoy the treats on Christmas morning.


2. Salt Dough Cat Heads by Scathingly Brilliant

DIY salt dough cat ornaments
Image Credit: scathingly-brilliant.blogspot
Materials Needed: Flour, salt, water, paint, ribbon or string, paintbrushes
Difficulty Level: Beginner

Salt dough cat Christmas ornaments are a fun and easy way to add some holiday cheer to your home décor. To make them, you’ll need flour, salt, water, and some patience. The dough is rolled out and cut into shapes, then baked until hard. Once cooled, the ornaments can be painted and decorated however you like.


3. Christmas Ornament with Paw Print by Dukes and Duchesses

Keepsake Pawprint Christmas Ornament
Image By: dukesandduchesses
Materials Needed: Handprint craft kit and a metal tag with letter stamps (optional)
Difficulty Level: Beginner

This Christmas, add a personal touch to your decorations with this easy DIY ornament. All you need is a handprint kit and your cat’s paw! Simply roll out the clay, press your cat’s paw into it, and use a straw to make a hole for hanging. Let the clay dry overnight, then add your cat’s name tag and a ribbon. Your unique ornament will be ready to hang on the tree!


4. Cat Paw Print Salt Dough Ornament by One Little Project

Paw Print Salt Dough Ornaments
Image Credit: onelittleproject
Materials Needed:
Paint, glitter, gold sharpie, ribbon, salt, water, flour, and modge-podge
Difficulty Level: Beginner

This project is a great way to create a keepsake of your cat’s paw print that you can hang on your Christmas tree. The salt dough is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Once you have made the dough, simply press your cat’s paw into it and then bake it. Once it is cooled, you can paint it and add a ribbon for hanging. The glitter brings extra joy and festivity to this fun craft!


5. Glitter Ball Ornament by Erin Reed Makes

Materials Needed: Air-dry clay, glue, clear ball ornaments
Difficulty Level: Beginner

This festive DIY cat glitter ball ornament is a fun and easy way to add some sparkle to your holiday decor! Made from a clear plastic ball and filled with glitter, this ornament is sure to catch the eye of all your holiday guests. Simply glue on a ribbon or string for hanging, and your ornament is ready to dazzle!


6. Cute Cat Butt Christmas Ornament by Orange Bettie

Cat butt Christmas ornament
Image Credit: orangebettie
Materials Needed: Felt, freezer paper, needle, thread, glue, pipe cleaner, polyfill
Difficulty Level: Beginner

Obviously, this ornament isn’t for everyone. You might laugh at these cat butt ornaments if you have a jolly sense of humor and a cat who loves sticking their tail up. A printable template is provided to help guide you in cutting out the ornaments. The project is assembled with glue and stitching, but it could easily be done without sewing.


7. Personalized Wood Slice Ornaments by Inspired by Charm

DIY Wood Slice Photo Ornaments1
Image Credit: inspiredbycharm
Materials Needed: Photos, modge-podge, drill, paintbrush, pencil, and ribbon
Difficulty Level: Medium

These charming DIY cat personalized wood slice ornaments are the perfect addition to your holiday decor! Made from natural wood slices, each ornament is personalized with your cat’s photo These ornaments are simple to make and can be enjoyed for years to come! The only difficult part of this tutorial is drilling the hanging hole in the wood slice, otherwise, this craft is a breeze.


8. Embroidery Hoop Ornaments by Polka Dot Chair

Cat Embroidery Hoop Christmas Ornaments1
Image Credit: polkadotchair
Materials Needed:
Embroidery hoops, black thread, sewing machine, buttons, fabric, and ribbons
Difficulty Level: Medium

These charming ornaments are made using embroidery hoops and some basic embroidery stitches. They are quick to make and are a great way to use up scraps of fabric. It is not the best tutorial for a complete beginner since it assumes you have basic sewing knowledge. That said, it could be completed quickly by anyone who has completed a few sewing projects.


9. Crocheted Cat Gift Box by Complicated Knots

Materials Needed: Crochet hook, yarn, stuffing, safety eyes
Difficulty Level: Medium

Adding this adorable ornament to your Christmas tree is sure to make it a hit. This design is styled to feature big round eyes peeking out of the present box. This heartwarming detail is sure to make this ornament stand out on your tree. You can match the color of your crochet yarn to your cat’s fur. We’ve marked this one as medium difficulty because you will need to be able to crochet—or learn how—in order to complete it.


10. Itty Bitty Crochet Cat Ornament by Thoresby Cottage

Itty Bitty Crochet Cat Ornament by Thoresby Cottage 
Image Credit: Thoresby Cottage
Materials Needed: 2.75mm hook, red and white yard
Difficulty Level: Moderate (Crotchet skills needed)

If a cute Christmas ornament in the shape of a kitty cat is what you want, these plans from Thoresby Cottage will be perfect. They are so adorable that you should probably make a dozen of them to give to all your friends at holiday time! They’re quite small and should be easy and fast to make if you already have crotchet DIY skills. The maker also has the original plans as a link on their website to help you along.


11. DIY Pom-Pom Cat Christmas Ornament from Mindy Hu

Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, various colored yarns, hot glue gun & glue, various colors of felt
Difficulty Level: Easy

Although they look like they might be difficult to make because they’re so elaborate, these delightful pom-pom DIY cat Christmas ornaments from Mindy Hu are surprisingly easy to craft. They will take a few minutes each, but you can make several at once to save time. They’re fluffy and round, like their namesake, and you can make them in any color you like. This project is ideal for making with your kids or, if you’re a teacher, your students during the holiday season.


12. DIY Cat Food Can Ornament by Drugstore Divas

DIY Cat Food Can Ornament by Drugstore Divas
Image Credit: Drugstore Divas
Materials Needed: Cat food can (empty), paper, spray paint, chip samples (various colors), scissors, glue, pipe cleaner, drill
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

As a cat parent, one thing you likely have around is empty cans of cat food. What better way to recycle them than to make DIY cat Christmas ornaments? These easy plans from Drugstore Divas take those old cans and turn them into something fun and frivolous you’ll be glad to hang on your Christmas tree! We’ve marked them as “easy to moderate” because you need to carefully drill a hole through the can to hang the ornament when finished.


13. Grumpy Cat Christmas Ornament by Tubby Paws

Grumpy Cat Christmas Ornament by Tubby Paws
Image Credit: Tubby Paws
Materials Needed: Printer, printer paper, yarn, hole punch, scissors
Difficulty Level: Super easy

While this project is technically a paper craft made to sit on a table or ledge, it can easily be turned into a Christmas ornament with yarn and a hole punch. It is the venerated Grumpy Cat in all its glory, ready to print out and fold together in a snap! All you do next is print the free, fully-colored pattern, cut it out, fold it up, and glue the edges together. Punch a hole and add the yarn to hang old Grumpy on your Christmas tree for a beautiful, albeit grumpy-looking, ornament this season!


14. DIY Felt Paw Print Ornament by Kunin Felt

DIY Felt Paw Print Ornament by Kunin Felt
Image Credit: Kunin Felt
Materials Needed: Various colors of felt, liquid glue, permanent markers, ribbon, pencil, chipboard, paper, printer, scissors
Difficulty Level: Easy

Kunin Felt, the felt company, gives us the gift of these charming felt cat paw Christmas ornaments using their brand of felt. You can use any felt you like, of course. You can make them in any colors you like, and with a pretty ribbon, you will have a unique cat ornament for your tree this year. Our suggestion: make a bunch of these paw print ornaments because everyone you know will want one!


15. Christmas Kitten DIY Felt Ornament by American Felt and Craft

Christmas Kitten DIY Felt Ornament by American Felt and Craft
Image Credit: American Felt and Craft
Materials Needed: Various colors of felt, embroidery thread, red sequins x 3, ribbon
Difficulty Level: Easy

Kittens are always a joy to have around during Christmas, but if you do not have any, you can now make one to hang on your tree! These ornaments are easy to make with various colors of felt and a handful of other materials you likely have around the house if you are a craft-centered DIY enthusiast. Like many of the ornaments on our list, this one will be a favorite of your cat-loving friends, family, and neighbors, so be sure to make a few to give them away as presents this year!

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

In conclusion, these DIY cat Christmas ornament plans are the perfect way to show your love for your feline friend this holiday season. With a little bit of creativity and some basic supplies, you can create a variety of unique and stylish Christmas decorations for your home that will be sure to put a smile on any cat lover’s face. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your holiday crafting today!

Related Reads: 


Featured Image Credit: utroja0, Pixabay

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Long After Flea Treatment Can I Pet My Cat? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Fleas are a pain for many pet owners. Though fleas can strike all year round, you are most likely to see them during...

Siamese Munchkin Cat Mix: Info, Pictures, Temperament & More

If you’ve ever seen a Siamese kitten, you’re familiar with how adorable they are and their tiny paws, noses, ears, and bodies. Of...

8 Must-Have Apps for Cat Owners in 2026

From apps that can help you work out what to do if your cat has an accident and needs first aid to those...

What to Say to Someone That Has Lost Their Cat: Helping Through Grieving Process

Every pet owner understands the gut-wrenching pain and grief that threaten to overwhelm their emotions when they lose a cat. They are keenly...

More related

11 Best Cat Foods for Nursing Mother Cats in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Motherhood is a tough job for humans and animals. One of the hardest parts of the job is pregnancy and nursing. Not only...

Cat Stung by Bee or Wasp? Our Vet Explains What To Do

When the sun is shining and the birds are singing, there’s also a good chance that bees and wasps will be stinging. If...

5 Best Nail Caps for Cats (2026) – Reviews & Top Picks

Most educated cat owners won’t even think of de-clawing their feline friends, but some people struggle with cats who scratch furniture, floors, people,...

Does Peppermint Oil Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Reviewed Effectiveness & Safety

Over the past decade, there has been an increased interest in using essential oils, including peppermint oil, to control fleas and ticks on...

Keep reading

Why Do Cats Like Milk? 2 Vet-Approved Reasons & FAQ

A cat lapping at a bowl of milk is something that we all think of when it comes to felines. This perception comes from farm cats from bygone eras lapping at the fatty topping of unprocessed cow’s milk and popular...

two cats drinking milk from the same bowl

Do Cats Like When You Sing to Them? Fun Facts

Even the shyest among us can feel confident belting out our favorite tunes in the comfort of home, and it’s even better when our cats are there to listen. As a perfect audience for our shameless rehearsals, cats listen on...

cute cat on owner's arms

How to Sedate a Cat for Car Travel: 3 Effective Methods & Application Tips

Preparing for a long-distance car trip with your cat can feel like planning a road trip with a reluctant passenger. Many cats dislike travel, and keeping them calm and comfortable for hours on the road might seem daunting. While sedation...

Cute grey cat inside pet carrier in car

Does Chlorine Safely Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Reviewed Effectiveness & Safety Explained

Fleas are a big problem, and finding out that your cat has them can make you turn to the cupboards for a quick fix. Unfortunately, chlorine is not an option if you want a fast, effective, and safe way to...

Cat with fleas

How to Stop a Cat From Climbing a Christmas Tree: 6 Vet-Reviewed Safety Tips

Christmas is a time to decorate your home with decorations to get you in the holiday spirit. One such decoration that is found in most homes is, you guessed it, Christmas trees. It’s fun to put up a tree, and...

cat hiding in the Christmas tree

Are Corn Plants Toxic to Cats? Our Vet-Approved Advice

The corn plant, Dracaena fragrans, goes by many names, including the ribbon plant, the dragon tree, and the cornstalk plant, but this plant is still toxic to cats by any other name. It’s also harmful to dogs and horses. Keep...

Catster_Are Corn Plants Toxic to Cats

Can Cats Eat Lima Beans? Vet-Reviewed Precautions & Health Guidelines

Beans are a popular staple throughout the world, used in many dishes, and enjoyed for their flavor and high protein content. While the most popular beans tend to be black beans, soybeans, and pinto beans, other beans do exist and...

Can Cats Eat Lima Beans

Cat Trilling: Meaning & Feline Sounds Facts (Vet-Verified)

Have you ever been greeted by the cute sound of your cat trilling? It’s slightly different from meowing, and most cats do it in response to something positive, like being offered their favorite treat. Trills and meows aren’t the only...

cat-meowing-or-trilling-by-the-door

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.