Twelve Days of Christmas Gift Ideas, Day 1: Cat Trees and Original Artwork

Twelve Days of Christmas Gift Ideas

Day 1: Cat Trees and Original Artwork

Once again, it's time to shop in earnest for Christmas, or whatever other holidays you celebrate at this time of year. And once again, Old Maid Cat Lady is here to help direct you to the best of what we offer for you!

With the shopping season being short due to a late Thanksgiving this year, we're starting a couple of days earlier to give you plenty of time. The items that take the longest tend to be made to order, so let's start with those!

Day 1 For Cats: Cat Trees

Every cat loves a good cat tree. And who wouldn't? You can still get the old-fashioned carpeted kind, if you like, but today's marketplace offers so many more options that look nicer in your living room.

Take, for example, the Kitty Palm, shown above. It has a sisal-wrapped trunk, which you can get in the lighter shade, as shown, or a darker brown color. Its branches are available in the palm, like those shown, or you can get ficus-style branches. They come in a multitude of heights, with varying numbers of platforms covered in tan or dark green. My boys love theirs, and scramble up that trunk like little monkeys! That's my Captain Roughy licking his lips while sitting on the upper platform of it.

You'll find Kitty Palms in Old Maid Cat Lady's Cat Trees section. Prices range from $178 to $278, plus shipping (all prices shown are without shipping). They're custom made when you order them, so it'll take a few weeks to get one. Order yours early.

Also in our Cat Trees section, you'll see some exciting new designs. The Catitude line from Midwest looks like modern art:

...and has a few heights and designs available. Priced from $52.95 to $94.95. Shown above is the "Salvadore" model.

Other cat trees look like fine furniture, like the Alexa from The Vertical Cat ($260), which is designed specifically to fit into a corner:

 

Or the Cat Power Tower ($399.95), which provides your cats with a veritable playground that includes a hunting maze and twirling feathers, and comes in different finishes to match your décor:

Don't have much space for a cat tree? Not to worry! If your ceilings are 9 feet, here's one that's only 6.5 inches wide, that stays in place with a spring-mounted top:

A bargain at only $49.95, it comes in blue or beige. Or you may wish to literally hang a spot for your cats to hang out with the Hanging Cat Condo from K&H ($112):

It hangs on the back of any door and gives kitties a safe place to climb and hide. 

And for the real Rolls-Royces of cat trees, you may be interested in the four custom designs from Cages By Design. All made to order, they can take up to five weeks to arrive, so they need to be ordered early. Some are available in a faux fur covering or bare cedar if you need an outdoor version. The Crystal Tower ($149.95 in faux fur or $399.95 in cedar) is a basic cat tree with platforms galore. The Roller Rink ($289.95, in faux fur only) stands over six feet and includes lots of sisal scratching surfaces, hanging tunnels and toys, all topped by a perch. The Purrsian Cat Tree is the next step up at $299.95 (faux fur only). It has elevated condos, hanging toys, and ramps. The Triple Tower ($399.95) is an outdoor version in cedar. Next up is the Tarzan ($322.95 in faux fur or $439.95 in cedar), with platforms, elevated condo, dangling toys and rope, and even a hammock! The Kitty Cabana ($399.95, in faux fur only), shown below, has a ladder, hammock, nest, teepee, condo, and perch...pretty much everything a cat could want, all in one cat tree!

Day 1 for People: Original Artwork

These items also take a little time to be created for you, so it's a good idea to order them early. Have you ever wanted an elegant oil portrait of your cat? Of course you have! It could be as easy as uploading your favorite photo and waiting a few weeks to receive your custom oil portrait! Below is the one I had made of my beloved little Vixen. Each portrait arrives rolled up in a tube so you can have it framed however you like. They're available in four sizes and priced from $79.95 to $119.95, including shipping!

How about a clock featuring the likeness of your adorable kitty? The Clock Lady's custom kaleidoscopic cat clocks can do just that! They're available in two sizes, and priced from $130 to $165.

If you've lost a special cat this year, artist Linda Huffman can take a bit of kitty's cremains and/or hair and make it into a beautiful dichroic glass Memory Pendant! This way, you'll always have a part of your beloved cat close to you. A variety of styles are available, priced from $91.95 to $194.95, all set in .925 Argentium® sterling silver. The one shown below is an example of one. Don't want jewelry? There's also a "worry stone" and an ornament available.

But while we're speaking of jewelry, artist Kay Fazio does beautiful pieces representing numerous cat breeds in sterling silver and 14 kt gold, many set with gemstones. Pendants, charms earrings, a few rings...and there are even rings for men! Bengals, Savannahs, Pixie-Bobs, and plenty more breeds are represented, and she's known for her incredible attention to detail on them. They're all custom made to order, as well, so get your orders for them in early. Prices range from $49 to $1,499. They are certain to please! Shown below is Fazio's stunning Savannah cat pendant in 14 kt gold with black diamonds...yes, it's that one priced at the top of the range (of course), and it's about 2 inches tall.

So, there you have it: a wide array of items to please both cats and people, and things that need to be ordered early if you want them before Christmas. What are you waiting for? It's Black Friday and time's a wastin'! Still not sure? There'll be another post here tomorrow with even more ideas for you on Day 2 of our 12 Days of Christmas Shopping Ideas for Cats and Cat Lovers.