23 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Cat Lovers in 2023

The holiday season is the perfect time to show your love and appreciation for the cat lovers in your life. While store-bought gifts are always an option, there’s something truly special about receiving a thoughtful, handmade present. In this guide, we’ll explore a collection of DIY Christmas gift ideas for cat lovers that will not only warm the hearts of cat enthusiasts but also bring joy to their feline companions. Let’s dive into the world of creativity and craftiness to make this holiday season extra special.

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DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Cat Lovers

1. Catnip Toys:

• Materials:
  • Fabric (cotton or fleece)
  • Catnip
  • Sewing machine or needle and thread
  • Stuffing material (polyfill)
• Instructions:
  1. Cut two identical shapes (hearts, fish, mice) from your fabric.
  2. Sew them together, leaving a small opening.
  3. Fill with catnip and a bit of stuffing.
  4. Stitch the opening closed.
  5. Decorate with embroidery or fabric paint if desired.

2. Cat-Themed Coasters:

• Materials:
  • Cork coasters
  • Cat-themed paper or fabric
  • Mod Podge or craft glue
  • Scissors
  • Paintbrush
• Instructions:
  1. Cut the cat-themed paper or fabric into coaster-sized squares or circles.
  2. Apply a layer of Mod Podge or craft glue to the cork coaster.
  3. Carefully place the cut-out cat-themed design on the coaster.
  4. Press down to remove air bubbles and ensure it adheres well.
  5. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on top to seal and protect the design. Let it dry.

3. Cat Photo Frame:

• Materials:
  • Wooden photo frame
  • Paints and brushes
  • Cat-themed stickers or decals
  • Cat photos or illustrations
  • Mod Podge
• Instructions:
  1. Paint the photo frame in a color of your choice.
  2. Once dry, decorate it with cat-themed stickers or decals.
  3. Add a picture of their beloved cat or a cute cat illustration.
  4. Seal everything with a coat of Mod Podge for protection and shine.

4. Cat Ear Headband:

• Materials:
  • Plain headband
  • Craft foam (in cat colors)
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Scissors
• Instructions:
  1. Cut two cat ear shapes from the craft foam.
  2. Use hot glue to attach them to the headband.
  3. Add details like whiskers or a small felt nose if desired.
  4. You can also attach a small bell or bow for extra charm.

5. Cat Silhouette Wall Art:

• Materials:
  • Canvas or wooden board
  • Acrylic paints
  • Brushes
  • Cat silhouette stencil (you can print one from the internet)
• Instructions:
  1. Paint the canvas or board in a color of your choice.
  2. Once dry, use the cat silhouette stencil and paint the cat shape onto the canvas.
  3. You can add details like a moon or stars in the background.
  4. Let it dry, and your cat-themed wall art is ready to gift.

6. Cat Paw Print Jewelry:

• Materials:
  • Polymer clay (in various cat paw print colors)
  • Jewelry findings (e.g., earring hooks, necklace chains)
  • Small cookie cutters or a paw print stamp
  • Rolling pin
  • Oven
• Instructions:
  1. Roll out the polymer clay to your desired thickness.
  2. Use the cookie cutters or paw print stamp to create paw print shapes.
  3. Make a small hole at the top for attaching the findings.
  4. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  5. Once cool, attach the findings to create earrings, necklaces, or keychains.

7. Cat-Themed Tote Bag:

• Materials:
  • Plain canvas tote bag
  • Fabric paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Cat-shaped stencils or templates (you can find these online)
• Instructions:
  1. Place the cat-shaped stencil on the tote bag.
  2. Use fabric paint and a brush to fill in the stencil.
  3. Allow it to dry completely.
  4. Optionally, you can add a cat lover’s name or a cute cat-themed quote.

8. Cat Candle Holders:

• Materials:
  • Glass candle holders
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Tea light candles
• Instructions:
  1. Paint cat silhouettes or paw prints on the outside of the glass candle holders.
  2. Let the paint dry completely.
  3. Place tea light candles inside, and when lit, the painted designs will cast lovely shadows.

9. Cat-Inspired Pillow Covers:

• Materials:
  • Plain pillow covers
  • Fabric paint or fabric markers
  • Cat-themed stencils (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Place a piece of cardboard inside the pillow cover to prevent bleed-through.
  2. Use fabric paint or markers to create cat-themed designs, such as paw prints, whiskers, or a cat face.
  3. You can use stencils or freehand your designs.
  4. Allow the paint to dry completely before inserting a pillow.

10. Cat Hammock:

• Materials:
  • Sturdy fabric or canvas
  • Wooden dowels
  • Strong cord or rope
  • Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Instructions:
  1. Cut a piece of fabric into a rectangular shape.
  2. Hem the edges for durability.
  3. Attach wooden dowels to each end, creating a frame.
  4. Use cord or rope to hang the hammock securely between two points, such as chair legs or a window sill.
  5. Add a soft cushion or blanket for your cat to lounge on.

11. Cat Planters:

• Materials:
  • Small ceramic plant pots
  • Acrylic paints
  • Paintbrushes
  • Small indoor plants (e.g., succulents)
• Instructions:
  1. Paint cute cat faces or paw prints on the plant pots.
  2. Let the paint dry completely.
  3. Plant small indoor plants in the pots.
  4. These adorable planters add a touch of greenery and charm to any cat lover’s home.

12. Cat Tail Keychain:

• Materials:
  • Faux fur fabric
  • Keyring
  • Needle and thread
• Instructions:
  1. Cut a small piece of faux fur fabric into a tail shape.
  2. Fold it in half, right sides together, and sew along the edge, leaving a small opening.
  3. Turn it inside out, stuff with a bit of cotton or filler material, and sew the opening closed.
  4. Attach a keyring to one end of the tail.
  5. This playful keychain resembles a cat’s tail and can be a fun accessory.

13. Cat-themed Mug:

• Materials:
  • Plain ceramic mug
  • Porcelain paint or paint markers
• Instructions:
  1. Use porcelain paint or markers to create cat-themed designs on the mug.
  2. Allow the paint to dry completely.
  3. Bake the mug according to the paint manufacturer’s instructions to set the design.
  4. Fill the mug with cat-themed goodies like hot chocolate mix or cat-shaped cookies.

14. Cat Paw Print Clay Dish:

• Materials:
  • Air-dry clay
  • Rolling pin
  • Cat paw print stamp or stencil
  • Acrylic paint and paintbrushes
• Instructions:
  1. Roll out the air-dry clay into a flat, even surface.
  2. Use a cat paw print stamp or stencil to create paw prints on the clay.
  3. Allow the clay to dry completely.
  4. Paint the paw prints and add a clear varnish for a polished finish.
  5. The dish can be used to hold jewelry, keys, or as a decorative piece.

15. Cat-themed Plant Markers:

• Materials:
  • Wooden or plastic plant markers
  • Acrylic paint
  • Cat stickers or decals
• Instructions:
  1. Paint the plant markers in a cat-themed color (e.g., black or white).
  2. Once dry, apply cat stickers or decals to the markers.
  3. Use a waterproof sealant to protect the design if the markers will be used outdoors.
  4. Pair these markers with potted cat-friendly plants for a thoughtful gift.

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16. Cat Bookmarks:

• Materials:
  • Craft foam or cardstock paper
  • Cat-shaped cookie cutter or template
  • Ribbon or yarn
  • Scissors and hole punch
• Instructions:
  1. Trace and cut out cat shapes from the craft foam or cardstock paper.
  2. Punch a hole at the top of each cat shape.
  3. Thread a piece of ribbon or yarn through the hole and tie a knot to create a bookmark.
  4. Decorate the cat shapes with markers, stickers, or glitter for added charm.
  5. These bookmarks are great for cat-loving bookworms.

17. Cat-themed Scented Candles:

• Materials:
  • Plain unscented candles
  • Cat-shaped cookie cutters or silicone molds
  • Candle fragrance oil or essential oils
  • Candle dye (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Melt the plain candles and add candle fragrance oil or essential oils to create a cat-themed scent, like lavender or vanilla.
  2. Optionally, add candle dye to achieve the desired color.
  3. Pour the scented wax into cat-shaped cookie cutters or silicone molds.
  4. Allow the candles to cool and solidify.
  5. Pop the cat-shaped candles out of the molds, and you have beautifully scented cat-themed candles.

18. Cat-shaped Soap Bars:

• Materials:
  • Soap base (clear or opaque)
  • Cat-shaped silicone mold
  • Soap fragrance oil (catnip or lavender scents work well)
  • Soap coloring (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. Melt the soap base following the package instructions.
  2. Add soap fragrance oil and coloring if desired.
  3. Pour the melted soap into the cat-shaped silicone mold.
  4. Let the soap cool and harden completely before removing from the mold.
  5. Wrap the cat-shaped soap bars in cute packaging.

19. Cat-themed Cross-stitch Art:

• Materials:
  • Cross-stitch fabric
  • Embroidery floss in cat colors
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Cat-themed cross-stitch pattern (easily found online)
• Instructions:
  1. Stretch the cross-stitch fabric in an embroidery hoop.
  2. Follow the cat-themed cross-stitch pattern to create a cute design.
  3. Use various shades of embroidery floss to add depth and detail.
  4. Once completed, you can frame the cross-stitch art for a beautiful, handcrafted gift.

20. Cat-themed Wine Cork Trivet:

• Materials:
  • Wine corks
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Cardboard or corkboard
• Instructions:
  1. Arrange wine corks in a circular or rectangular pattern.
  2. Use a hot glue gun to secure the corks together.
  3. Glue the completed cork pattern onto a piece of cardboard or corkboard to create a trivet.
  4. You can paint cat paw prints or add cat-themed embellishments for extra flair.

21. Cat Face Pot Holders:

• Materials:
  • Fabric (heat-resistant material like insul-bright)
  • Cat face template (print from the internet)
  • Fabric paint or markers
  • Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Instructions:
  1. Cut two identical cat face shapes from the heat-resistant fabric.
  2. Paint or draw a cute cat face on one of the fabric pieces.
  3. Place the two fabric pieces together, right sides facing, and sew around the edges, leaving a small opening.
  4. Turn it inside out, sew the opening closed, and you have a cat-themed pot holder.

22. Cat-themed Garden Stones:

• Materials:
  • Cement or concrete mix
  • Cat-shaped silicone molds
  • Acrylic paints and brushes
• Instructions:
  1. Mix the cement or concrete according to the package instructions.
  2. Pour the mixture into cat-shaped silicone molds.
  3. Allow the cement to set and cure completely.
  4. Paint the cat-shaped garden stones with cat designs or messages.
  5. These stones can be placed in the garden or used as decorative paperweights.

23. Cat-themed Embroidered Tea Towels:

• Materials:
  • Plain tea towels
  • Embroidery floss in cat colors
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Cat-themed embroidery patterns
• Instructions:
  1. Stretch the tea towel in an embroidery hoop.
  2. Use cat-themed embroidery patterns to create charming designs.
  3. Embroider with different cat colors like black, gray, or orange.
  4. Once done, the tea towels can be wrapped with a ribbon for gifting.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Conclusion

As you embark on your DIY journey to create memorable Christmas gifts for cat lovers, remember that it’s the thought and effort you put into each project that truly counts. These handmade gifts will not only bring joy to your loved ones but will also leave a lasting impression on their beloved feline companions. This holiday season, let your creativity shine as you celebrate your shared love for cats through these heartwarming gifts.

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Have you created any memorable DIY gifts for cat lovers? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more pet-related DIY inspiration and updates on upcoming holiday-themed content and giveaways. Wishing you a crafty and cat-filled holiday season!