Cats don’t care about Christmas. Let’s just acknowledge that upfront.
They’ll knock ornaments off the tree, sit directly in front of the television during holiday movies, and look at you with complete indifference while you arrange the nativity scene for the fourth time. And yet—somehow—they’re the ones we want most on the tree.
There’s a reason for that. Anyone who loves a cat knows that what looks like indifference is actually just a very specific kind of personality. Your cat has a face, an expression, a way of sitting in the window or curling into a ridiculous shape that is entirely, unmistakably theirs. Personalized cat Christmas ornaments made from your photos capture that. A generic breed silhouette from a big-box store does not.
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right ornament, placing your order, and giving a cat lover—or yourself—something that earns a permanent spot on the tree.
Why Hand-Painted Is Different
There are plenty of cat ornaments out there. Ceramic cats, glitter cats, laser-engraved silhouettes, print-on-demand photo balls. Most of them are fine. None of them are your cat.
A hand-painted ornament starts with a photo of your specific cat, their coloring, their markings, the particular expression they make when they’ve decided they’re done with you for the evening. I paint each one by hand, one at a time, from that photo. The result isn’t a cat ornament. It’s a portrait of the cat who owns your couch.
Every ornament I make is one of a kind. That’s not a marketing phrase; it’s just the nature of painting by hand.
The Ornament Styles: Four Options for Every Kind of Cat Person
Every ornament is custom-created by hand by me, Karen Hesselbach, professional lifelong artist, and that makes each piece truly one-of-a-kind. Here’s a quick overview of my favorite, hand-painted options for capturing that special pet in your life:
Hand-Painted 3″ Glass Ball Ornament
The classic Christmas ornament, made personal. The iridescent glass surface catches light beautifully and gives the portrait a luminous quality that photographs can’t quite do justice. This ornament suits a different aesthetic, from maximalist holiday to quietly elegant.
This is the one for the cat lover who takes their tree seriously.
Shop the Glass Ball Ornament »
Hand-Painted 3.5″ Christmas Ornament on Acrylic
Clear, modern, and unexpectedly striking. The transparent acrylic disc gives the portrait a floating quality: your cat’s face suspended in light. It’s the style that tends to stop people mid-unwrap. Simple to hang, beautiful against twinkling lights, and versatile enough to work on any tree.
This is the one for the cat lover who appreciates clean lines and a cat who thinks they’re more sophisticated than everyone else in the room. They’re probably right.
Shop the Fully Rendered Acrylic Disc Ornament »
Shop the Silhouette-style Acrylic Disc Ornament »
Hand-Painted 3.5″ Wood Christmas Ornament
Warm, unpretentious, and genuinely charming. The wood slice has a natural texture that makes each one slightly different before a single brushstroke is applied. Your cat’s portrait sits against the grain in a way that feels handmade in the best sense, because it is. Available with a tinsel bow or buffalo plaid bow.
This is the one for the cat lover with a cozy, natural aesthetic and a cat who’d probably prefer to be outside.
Shop the Wood Slice Ornament »
Custom 4.5″ Mirror Disco Ball Ornament
The statement piece. The disco ball is the largest of the four styles and the most unapologetically extra: your cat’s portrait painted onto a reflective mirror surface that catches every light in the room. It spins. It sparkles. It demands attention.
If your cat has ever walked across your keyboard during an important meeting, knocked a full glass of water off the counter while making direct eye contact with you, or claimed the exact center of your bed every single night, this is their ornament.
Shop the Disco Ball Ornament »
Each ornament is made to order and tailored to your specifications, ensuring that the final product is a true reflection of your cat’s unique spirit.
Holiday Bundles: For the Multi-Cat Household
One ornament per cat is the only fair approach, and I offer bundles that make it easier to give each one their due:
Each ornament in a bundle features a different cat portrait. They work beautifully as a matching set for a multi-cat home, or as individual gifts for different family members who each have their own cat to celebrate.
Personalized Cat Ornaments as Gifts
For the cat lover who has everything
The person whose cat has their own Instagram, their own corner of the couch, their own set of opinions about dinnertime. A custom ornament made from a photo of their specific cat, painted by hand, unlike anything they’d find in a shop, is the gift that actually surprises them.
For someone who has lost a cat
A cat memorial ornament keeps them on the tree. Present in the holiday, part of the family still. I paint memorial ornaments with the same care I give every piece, and I understand the weight of the commission. Many clients tell me the memorial ornament becomes the one they look at first every December.
If you’re ordering for someone who’s grieving, I can ship directly to them. Just let me know.
For yourself
Some of my favorite orders are simply from people who want their cat on the tree. No occasion required. Your cat has earned it, probably by being completely unreasonable about something this week.
How the Process Works
Step 1: Choose your ornament style.
Browse the four options—glass ball, wood slice, acrylic disc, or disco ball—and decide which surface and size feels right. Note any finish preferences when you order.
Step 2: Share your photo.
Send a clear, well-lit photo of your cat. Face-forward or three-quarter angles show the most personality. I paint all breeds and coat types—tabbies, torties, long-haired, short-haired, one-eyed, magnificently fluffy. All of them.
Step 3: I paint your ornament.
The personalized cat Christmas ornaments are painted by hand, one at a time. I’ll keep you updated as the work progresses.
Step 4: Your ornament ships.
Carefully packaged and shipped anywhere in the United States.
Turnaround time is four weeks from order confirmation. The holiday season fills up faster than it seems like it should. Order early.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You captured Fiona’s spirit perfectly, thank you! I love, love, love it! I can’t wait to have you paint my boy next.
—Shanna
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint any cat breed or coat type?
Yes. Tabbies, solid colors, calicos, tortoiseshells, Siamese, Maine Coons, orange cats with enormous opinions, I paint them all. A clear photo is the most important thing.
How many cats can fit on one ornament?
Each ornament features one cat portrait. The ornament surfaces are small enough that adding a second cat would compromise the likeness of both. For multi-cat households, the bundle options are the way to go.
What photo works best?
Clear, well-lit, and showing your cat’s face as prominently as possible. Natural light is ideal. Avoid heavily filtered photos or images where the cat is mid-blink. If you have several options and aren’t sure which to use, send a few and I’ll help you choose.
Do you ship nationwide?
Yes. Ornaments ship across the United States. International shipping is not currently available.
How long does it take?
Four weeks from order confirmation. If you have a specific deadline, reach out before ordering and I’ll let you know whether it’s doable.
Can I order a memorial ornament for a cat who has passed?
Yes, and I’m honored when clients trust me with that. Please reach out if you’d like to talk through the commission before placing an order.
What if I want a cat portrait rather than an ornament?
Custom cat portraits on canvas are available as a separate commission. You can learn more about the portrait process and sizing options in the shop.
Order Your Personalized Cat Christmas Ornaments
Your cat probably won’t notice the ornament. They’ll walk past it, knock something else off the tree, and go sit somewhere inconvenient.
But you’ll notice it. Every December, when you hang it in the same spot and remember exactly who they are.
Browse all four styles in the shop and reach out with your photo. Four-week turnaround, so order early to ensure arrival before Christmas.
Shop Cat Christmas Ornaments »
Have a dog to celebrate too? Personalized dog Christmas ornaments are available here »
Interested in a full custom cat portrait on canvas? Learn more about portrait commissions »
Featured Gifts
Showing 1–3 of 10 resultsSorted by popularity
You might be interested in …
Custom Anniversary Gifts for Pet Lovers: Thoughtful, Unique, and Full of Heart
Looking for custom anniversary gifts that capture the love between you, your partner, and your pets? Discover unique, hand-painted pet portraits, ornaments, and more for a truly memorable anniversary.