Thoughtful Small Gifts for Cat Lovers

A good small gift for a cat lover looks like a cat they might know: the right coat, a bit of character and a size that fits a shelf or desk. Hand-carved, hand-painted wooden cats work well because they are decorative, last for years and come in many looks, from a faceted tuxedo to a sleepy cat in a onesie. Pick by personality and occasion rather than by price alone.

What makes a thoughtful gift for a cat lover?

Cat lovers are generous gift recipients because they already have so much to say about their cats, and they are usually delighted when someone else has noticed. The most thoughtful gifts are not the most expensive. They are the ones that show you have paid attention, such as a cat with the right colouring, a pose that matches or a small detail that makes them laugh.

A decorative piece has an advantage over consumables. It does not run out, it does not need to be used and it can sit in a place where its owner sees it every day. A small hand-carved, hand-painted wooden cat is the kind of thing that stays on a desk or a bookshelf for years and quietly says that someone was thinking of them.

Keep in mind whether the person has a cat of their own. If they do, a figure that resembles their cat is a very personal gift. If they love cats without owning one, a character piece such as a cat in a onesie or holding a flower is often more fun.

Which wooden cats suit which kind of cat lover?

For the owner of a tabby, the Vintage Tabby Cat is a sitting tabby with a hand-painted vintage finish, a classic small-format cat that measures 4.2 × 3.9 × 6.5 cm. The Faceted Grey Tabby Cat and Faceted Ginger Tabby Cat are carved in the faceted, low-poly style and suit people who like a modern look. The Faceted Tuxedo Cat is a smart black-and-white cat and one of our best-loved small cats.

For a friend with a sense of humour, the Cat in a Midnight-Blue Onesie is a sleepy low-poly cat that is gentle and calming, and a good fit for nursery and gift shelves. The Orange Cat with Sunflower is a ginger cat holding a sunflower and a cheerful get-well or encouragement gift.

If you want to give a personalised piece, the Smiling Ginger Cat and the Black Bombay Cat both sit on bases that can be engraved with a name or date. Our personalised gifts page has the details.

• Classic and small: Vintage Tabby Cat
• Modern and faceted: Grey Tabby, Ginger Tabby, Tuxedo
• Funny or cosy: Cat in a Midnight-Blue Onesie
• Cheerful: Orange Cat with Sunflower

What works as a stocking filler or Secret Santa gift?

Stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts have to be small, safe to give to someone you may not know well and easy to wrap. A small wooden cat is a good answer because it is decorative, harmless and fits in a stocking. Choose a cat that is easy to like, such as a tabby or a tuxedo, rather than a very specific character.

If the recipient is a colleague, a desk-sized cat suits an office setting. The faceted cats are sized for a desk, and the Faceted Ginger Tabby Cat is described as sized for a desk, a bookshelf or a memorial shelf. Keep the gift tag light and avoid in-jokes unless you know the person well.

Check the sizes on the product pages before you order, as the pieces are small and the photographs can make them look larger than they are. The Faceted Tuxedo Cat is 7 cm tall and the Smiling Ginger Cat is 5.5 cm tall.

Are there cat gifts for Christmas trees and walls?

Yes. The Orange Cat Hanging Pendant is a long, low-poly orange tabby with a hanging cord, 18 × 8 cm, and it works on walls, in windows and on Christmas trees. It is a good choice for a cat lover who decorates with cats at Christmas, and it takes up no shelf space.

The Football Cat Ornament is a tuxedo cat in a hand-painted football strip, made as a hanging ornament, and is a fun gift for football fans who also love cats. It suits a person who is hard to buy for, because it combines two interests in one small present.

Both pieces are decorative items, not toys. If you give one to a household with young children, hang it out of reach.

How should you present a small wooden cat as a gift?

Presentation does a lot for a small gift. Wrap the piece in tissue paper, tuck it in a small box and add a short handwritten note. If the cat looks like the recipient's own, say so in the note, for example that it reminded you of Biscuit. That one line is what turns a small object into a thoughtful present.

Think about where the gift will go. A desk or a bookshelf is the usual place for a piece of this size, and a windowsill suits a cat that likes to sit in the light. If you know the person has limited space, a small piece such as the Smiling Ginger Cat or the Vintage Tabby Cat is a better fit than a larger figure.

If you are giving more than one gift, a wooden cat sits well beside a card, a book or a small plant. It does not need to be the whole present, and it will usually be the part that is kept on display after the rest has been used.

How do you pick the right cat if you do not know the cat?

If you do not know what colour of cat the recipient owns, ask a family member or look at their social media. Most cat lovers post photographs of their cats often, and a quick look will tell you whether to choose a tabby, a ginger or a black-and-white cat.

If you cannot find out, choose by personality instead. A cheerful, upright cat suits an energetic person, and a sleepy cat suits someone who likes a quiet home. A tuxedo cat is a safe choice, as it looks smart and is a popular colour.

You can look at everything in the range on our collection page, including the cats, and sizes are listed on each product page.

Frequently asked questions