11 Adorable DIY Christmas Gifts for Cats & Cat Lovers (With Pictures)
Pets are an important part of the family, and that means they're a special part of the holidays, too. They bring joy to your home, and they're always there for you, so it seems perfectly reasonable that they would be on your holiday gift list! Whether it's a gift for your own cat, or a gift for someone else's cat, you can find plenty of great DIY ideas on how to give your feline friend a present they'll love.
Top 11 DIY Christmas Gifts for Cats & Cat Lovers
1. Homesthetics Crinkly Sock Toy
| Materials: | Sock, water bottle, string or yarn, catnip (optional) |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Does your cat like things that crinkle? This easy DIY toy will have them entertained for hours. Simply take an old sock and fill it with a water bottle, then tie it off at the top. You can add some catnip inside for extra fun. It's easy enough to do with kids and there's a good chance your cat will actually play with it, especially if you add catnip.
2. Paw Print Salt Dough Ornament by Cats Herd You
| Materials: | Salt, flour, water, food coloring (optional) |
| Tools: | Mixing bowl, measuring cup, mixing spoon |
| Difficulty Level: | Medium |
Imagine it: the tiniest, cutest little paw print just barely pressed into your homemade clay! We can't think of a single cat owner who wouldn't want this. Salt dough ornaments are simple and fun to make, and you can add food coloring to the dough for extra pizzazz. This is a great activity to do with kids since it's not too messy. Just mix up the ingredients, form into balls, flatten them out, and press your cat's paw into the dough. So cute. So thoughtful.
3. Funny Gingerbread Person in Distress from Dream a Little Bigger
| Materials: | Felt, ribbon, Rick rack, |
| Tools: | Scissors, needle & thread or sewing machine |
| Difficulty Level: | Beginning sewer |
This gingerbread person is in distress, and your cat is the only one who can save him! This funny little toy is made out of felt and can be easily sewn by hand or with a sewing machine. Be sure to choose ribbon or Rick rack that's safe for pets if you're going to use this as a cat toy. It's sure to be a hit with any cat, and it will make you smile every time you see it.
4. Massiel Dominguez's Cardboard Tube Puzzle Toy
| Materials: | Empty cardboard box, empty toilet paper roll tubes |
| Tools: | Glue |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Cats are smart and they need to be challenged to stay mentally sharp. One way to challenge them is with puzzle toys. This is simply a box filled with toilet paper tubes (glued down, of course). What it makes is a bunch of little nooks to hide food, treats, catnip, and toys. It can also help your cat's prey drive and hunting instincts by making them "catch" their food.
5. Cat Christmas Tree by Chirpy Cats
| Materials: | Cat-safe sticks, vines, and ornaments |
| Tools: | Electric drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This is the ultimate gift for a cat lover. It's a real, live Christmas tree... for your cat! This one is made out of cat-safe sticks, vines, and ornaments. You can find all of these things at your local pet store. Be sure to use an electric drill to make holes for the sticks, so your cat doesn't get hurt. This is a fun project that will keep your cat entertained for hours, and it's sure to be a hit with any cat lover on your holiday list.
6. Felt Catnip Pouch from Finding Our Frugal
| Materials: | Felt, thread, scissors, catnip |
| Tools: | Needle |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This is a quick and easy project that's sure to please any cat. Simply take a piece of felt and cut it into a small pouch. Fill the pouch with catnip and stitch it closed. You can make a bunch of these and keep them on hand for when guests come over or a gifting occasion arises.
7. Hobby Lesson Sock Kitten by hobby lesson
| Materials: | 1 sock, poly-fill stuffing, googly eyes, ribbon |
| Tools: | Needle |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This is probably the easiest "toy" on the list. Simply take an old sock and stuff it with poly-fill. Tie a ribbon around the neck and add googly eyes. That's it! You can make a whole litter of these in no time. Or, if you want to get fancy with it, you can make your sock into the shape of an actual kitten by following this tutorial. Be sure to use socks that are clean and free of any chemicals or detergents.
8. Homesteading Fleece Hammock
| Materials: | Fleece, scissors |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Who doesn't love a cozy place to nap? Right? This is such a simple but appreciated gift for any cat who loves to nap (which is all of them). All you need is a piece of fleece and a pair of scissors. Cut the fleece into a rectangle and then cut two slits in the center. Tie the corners together and you have a cozy little hammock for your cat! You can even add a pillow for extra comfort.
9. Chunky Cat Bed by The Owner Builder Network
| Materials: | Chunky yarn |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Medium |
This is a great DIY gift for any cat who loves to cuddle. It's a chunky, knit bed that they can curl up in and stay warm all winter long. You will need some chunky yarn and a pair of scissors. This project does require some basic knitting knowledge, but if you're not a knitter, you can easily find a tutorial online. Once you have your bed knit, simply stuff it with poly-fil and you're all set!
10. Rachel Miller's Feather Toy by one crazy house
| Materials: | 4-6 craft feathers, paper towel tube, string |
| Tools: | Scissors or a craft knife |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Is that a bird or is that your cat's newest toy? These are so cute and easy to make year-round. To customize them for Christmas, try covering the tubes in wrapping paper and color coordinating the feathers and string. So cute. So easy. So much fun for your cat.
11. Wine Bottle Cork Toy by The Links Site
| Materials: | Wine corks, string |
| Tools: | Scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This is such a fun and unique toy for any cat lover. It's a wine bottle cork toy! Simply take some old wine corks and string them together with some string. You can make them as long or as short as you like. Just be sure to knot the string securely so your cat can't pull it apart and choke on the corks.
Additional Tips
Conclusion
With a little effort and a few household supplies, you can make your own holiday cat toys. These toys are fun and easy to make, and they’re a great way to bring a little joy to your feline friends this holiday season. So, get creative and have fun! Your cat (actually, everyone's cats!) will thank you for it.
Related reads:
10 Adorable DIY Christmas Sweaters for Cats You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
14 Amazing DIY Cat Christmas Ornaments You Can Create at Home (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Bogdan Sonjachnyj, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
