12 Days of Gift Ideas: Day 5

For People: Home & Garden Décor

When my little Vixen had a consultation with pet psychic Laura Stinchfield, Vixen told her that she used to not know why I needed so many pictures of her when she was still with me, but now she understands people better and is okay with it.

For some reason, cat lovers just love to be surrounded by cats! And why not? I've read that dog owners value dogs for their loyalty, but cat lovers find their beauty to be the thing most cherished in cats. Don't know that I'd completely agree with its ranking highest in importance, but they certainly are beautiful. So for that cat lover on your list, why not add to their feline collection?

All cats may be beautiful, but ask any cat owner which is the most beautiful, and it's bound to be one of his own. So what better gift than a custom oil portrait of his or her very own beloved cat? The portraits we offer are available in four sizes that range in price from $79.95 to $119.95, with shipping included. You choose the orientation and background color, upload a photo of the cat, and an artist does the portrait from that. About three weeks later, your canvas will arrive rolled in a tube for you or your recipient to frame in any style preferred. The photo at the top of this blog post, as well as the one shown above, are examples of their work. It's a unique gift that will hold a very special place in your giftee's heart!

For the cat lover with a sense of humor (and reality), this throw pillow says it all! It's 12-1/2" x 9" and will only set you back $12.95 For more serious-minded individuals, we have several lovely hooked pillows, some designed by renowned artists, that come in a variety of sizes and range in price from $12.95 to $49.95.

Collectors will appreciate these assortments of antique reproduction cigarette cards that are matted in groups of 6, 9, 12, or 20. They depict various breeds of cats, or one set even has wild cats. Cigarette cards were produced from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s to promote various brands of smokes, with some of the images available here from the Players brand in the UK. They range in price from $42.95 to $99.95, depending on the number of cards in the set. You choose which cats to include in the set and whether to have them matted wide or tall, and they arrive unframed so you can custom-fit the frame to your piece. Another one-of-a-kind gift that's sure to please.

Lovers of big cats will adore this dramatic white tiger accent table. Rendered in lifelike detail in durable polyresin, he holds a round glass top that's the perfect place to park a small lamp, a drink, or your reading glasses. And he's even on sale for $119.95. Tiger snarl and all!

If you're buying for someone who owns a purebred cat, these wooden frames that hold a photo of their beloved will bring a smile! Available for Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Persian or Siamese, they retail for $22.95. And they even come vertically or horizontally oriented to accommodate either type of photo; specify which you prefer when ordering.

Know someone with an awkwardly placed litter box? Why not get them a cat washroom to hide it away?! It comes in white, as shown here ($83.95), as well as Espresso or Walnut ($90.95 each) that would look great as an end table or night stand. The door opens wide for cleaning, and it holds a litter box up to 18-1/2" x 16", which is not included.

Gardeners and those who have visited any of the stately gardens and homes in Europe and the UK will love this guardian lion statue that can sit regally by a front walkway, on a porch, or in its own special place in the back garden. He stands 25" tall and is made of durable fiber resin. Pick him up for just $79.95...or else he might chase after you!

Plate collectors and hostesses alike will appreciate this pair of Henry Cats porcelain plates. Artist Henry Lee has been painting cats on stones for years, and an assortment of them rims each 8-inch plate. Sale priced for only $10.95, they'll please both the recipient and your wallet!

Lots of people collect salt & pepper shakers, and if they're also cat lovers, these will bring a big smile to their faces! "Lovey" and "Dovey" are a part of artist Amy Lacombe's WhimsiClay line of collectible ceramics that have become wildly popular. Even if someone's not a S&P collector, cat lovers will still enjoy this duo...and Valentine's Day is not too far off. Pick them up for only $18.95.

Whoever gets this fancy little vanity mirror may have a hard time getting it away from the cats...those kitties do love to look at themselves! But whatever its eventual use, they'll love the cheetah print resin frame and the frou-frou metal stand. It reaches a full 12" tall with the stand, and is available for only $8.95. Such a steal!

We all need the occasional hostess gift during the holidays, and what better choice for a cat lover than these Peeping Toms kitchen towels! Large (17" x 31") 100% cotton towels have silk-screened curious kitties on both ends. There's a kitten design also available, and you can pick them up for $10.95.

Both cats and hostess will thank you for this Good Kitty treat canister ($17.95). It's glass with a stainless steel lid and holds 6 cups of treats!

Really make a statement with this golden tiger statue. The striking polyresin statue measures 18" long. It makes the perfect gift for someone who's cheering on a team whose mascot is a tiger! You're thinking about who it is already, aren't you?

The holidays may not be so merry for someone who's recently lost a cat, but this memory pendant ornament may help to cheer them. It's made of dichroic glass crafted by artist Linda Huffman, and no two are alike. Your recipient will receive a collection kit that allows them to choose the colors for the pendant and send in a portion of their cat's cremains which are incorporated into it. They can include a photo of the cat so that Linda can meditate on it as she creates their pendant to capture the cat's true personality in it. The ornament alone is $124.95, and you can add a wire stand for $18.95 or a wood-and-glass dome for  $58.95. It's a lovely reminder of their departed friend.

Click here to view all of OldMaidCatLady.com's Home Décor items.

Read More

12 Days of Gift Ideas: Day 4

For Cats: A New Bed

Cats have a reputation for sleeping most of the day away. Those of us who live with them know that they don't sleep anywhere near as much as "uncatted" people think they do, but those kitties do love to nap! Give yours sweet dreams this season with a soft and warm new bed. Here are a few for you to consider:

Shown above, the Thermo-Kitty Fashion Splash is not only a burst of color for the drabness of winter, but it's heated! On cold days, your cat will leave it only to go to the potty and grab a quick snack...trust me on this. In addition to the bright red shown, it comes in blue or mocha, and is available for $39.95 + shipping.

A cat condo gives your cats someplace to hide, as well as to sleep...and there are plenty of scratching and play spaces, as well. We have kitty condos covered in carpet or faux fur (shown above), in 1-, 2-, and some in 3-story versions. You'll even find some fancy geometric designs or tropical palm trees on some of them. There's even a "Tubby Tabby" version that's built bigger and more sturdily to hold larger cats! The condos range in price from $37.95 to $117.95. Some prices have shipping charges built into them, while others are + shipping. Check the descriptions with each to be sure.

Now, here's a nifty idea! If your cats are like mine, they love to get in your closet and be surrounded by your scent. With the Closet Sleeper from Kittywalk, you can give them a cozy hideaway that'll help keep the cat hair off your pants legs, skirts and shoes! It comes in a neutral tan color and is on sale for $69.95, or you can get a Royale version of it that's on sale for $79.95. 

Show your college team spirit with a collegiate licensed bed for kitty! Shown here is the pillow bed, and our supplier has them available for Alabama, Appalachian State, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Boise State, Boston College, Berkeley (California), Clemson, Connecticut, Duke, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Georgetown, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami (Florida), Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Each school also has a collegiate licensed roll-up cat bed available that is great for travel. We're still getting all the schools added to their items on our site!

A lot of cats like to sleep on their scratcher, and the corrugated scratchers we have from Imperial Cat are purr-fect for that! They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit every cat's fancy...and every cat parent's interior design scheme! The one shown here is the "Cozy Curl" style, and it comes in 23 different patterns. One's sure to be right for you! And if not, there are bunches of other shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns available. Because they're made from cardboard, they're eco-friendly, too.

It can get downright chilly on the floor in winter, and if you have tile or concrete floors, even a cozy bed isn't enough to stop the cold coming through. But getting elevated off that floor, even by a few inches, can make all the difference. This Flipo fuzzy cat bed comes in four colors, and if you don't like those there's also a nylon version available in four colors. Both versions have a foldable aluminum frame that can be adjusted to different heights. $50.95 - $56.95.

Some cats just aren't happy if they aren't sleeping on your furniture. If you're tired of cleaning cat hair off it, here's your answer! This attractive quilted furniture cover comes in sizes to fit a chair, loveseat, or sofa. The polyester microsuede fabric attracts cat hair like a magnet, keeping your furniture clean...and when it's dirty, you just throw it in the washer! Comes in tan or mocha colors, $43.95 - $88.95.

If you're caring for any outdoor cats, you know they need a refuge from the elements. The DezRez KatKabin outdoor cat house gives them a nice little place of safety. Rear holes provide ventilation, while a door in front keeps out the cold wind. It's elevated off the ground, too. Even the folks at Cat Fancy magazine selected it as one of their 2009 Editors' Choice products! Available in 6 colors, it sells for $117.95.

On those cold winter nights, nothing's better than an electric heated bed! The Kitty Cave, shown here, comes in both heated ($65.95) and unheated ($39.95) versions. And since a lot of cats like to have something protective around their backs, the little half-hood on it gives them a sense of security. The unheated version has a fun fish print that's perfect for summer. The snuggly cushions on both versions can be removed for washing.

If your cat likes to snooze in a sunny windowsill, this will make her experience even better! The deluxe window perch mounts in any window and comes with a fleece cover that's easily removed for laundering. We have a few other window perches, as well, and some are even heated. You can get this one for $37.95.

Cats with arthritis will enjoy this all-season Nature's Foundation bed. The two-chamber construction means it's both supportive and soft. Fragrant cedar is in the lower chamber to repel fleas while providing insulation and support. The upper chamber has soft orthopaedic foam to soothe kitty's aching joints. The cover can be removed for washing, and has a warm fleece top for winter that can be reversed to a cooler nylon top for summer! Available in two colors, it retails for $45.95 and won a 2007 Consumer's Digest Best Buy Award.

Cats with a wild side may enjoy this Safari Print bed that reminds them of their wild cousins. The metal-frame bed will hold cats up to 30 pounds, and requires some assembly. Bolsters on three sides keep drafts off kitty's back and give him a secure feeling while sleeping. It can be yours for $85.95.

Cats who like to sleep up high are in luck with the Salamanca cat tree! They have options from the open upper platform to a cozy little hideaway in the middle. And when they're not sleeping, they can play with the dangling toys or scratch on the sisal-covered posts. The 54-1/4" tall tree is on sale for $147.95, and requires some assembly. But your cat is worth it, right? If you don't like this design, we have numerous other cat trees from which you can choose.

Go all earth-friendly with this seagrass and burlap bed ($55.95) that's perfect for cats who like to curl up when sleeping! Made from renewable natural seagrass and jute burlap, it provides an aroma that is naturally appealing to cats. The pillow is removable for washing, and the neutral color palette blends in anywhere. There's also an oblong version ($53.95) available.

To really spoil those outdoor kitties, try this outdoor kitty house. It has a nylon cover with vinyl backing to make it waterproof. The roof overhang keeps snow and sleet from falling inside, while dual exits keep cats from being trapped inside by predators. Velcro® assembly is quick and easy. Comes in a heated ($97.95) or unheated ($52.95) version, but you know the cats would prefer the heated one...in fact, it's been so popular that it's backordered at our supplier until early January!

With all these and more to choose from, your kitty's sure to have sweet dreams all winter long!

Shop all of OldMaidCatLady.com's sleep products for cats in our Nap Time category.

Read More

12 Days of Gift Ideas: Day 3

For People: Jewelry

Every gal (and a guy or two) likes a little bling this time of year! Even before I started OldMaidCatLady.com, I was constantly looking for cat-related jewelry...earrings, rings, pendants, whatever -- it was one of the reasons I always enjoyed going to art shows, just to see what kinds of interesting new cat jewelry I could find!

Now that I'm shopping for all of you as well as myself, the sky's truly the limit. It's still always a thrill to find something cool and new. So in this list of gift ideas, I'll start with the lowest-priced items and work up to the ultimate. Let's just jump right in!

We all have folks who need little remembrances through the holidays, but on whom we don't spend a huge amount. That's where the Whimsiclay pins from artist Amy Lacombe come in handy! These look great on a collar, shoulder or lapel, so you can wear them with anything. They have all sorts of designs to match the personalities of all sorts of people -- there are even pins for Hanukkah gifts, or for your favorite Red Hat lady, as well as a few Christmas designs. Shown here is the Nurse pin. They're priced at $8.95 and $9.95, depending on design, and they make great stocking stuffers, too!

Although she passed away in 2007, Laurel Burch's jewelry is still quite popular. Our supplier has a limited number of her earrings and pins in great cat designs, but order quickly for the best selection, as they're down to just a few of each. They're priced from $26.95 to $38.95.

Who doesn't love a watch for Christmas? We have a couple of "Cat Mom" watches for you to choose from. This one is silver-toned with a metal mesh band; the other is gold-toned with a black leather band. Both are value-priced at $40.95.

A keychain makes a great gift for a man or a woman, and this one's extra-special for cat lovers! Artist Kay Fazio designs these sterling silver cat charms that fit great on the key holder included with each of them. And if your gift recipient is a fan of a specific breed of cat, you'll find them in Bengal, Maine Coon, Oriental Shorthair, Savannah, Serval, Sphynx, or Tonkinese breeds, as well as a Cat Angel charm that can commemorate a departed feline friend. They're priced from $29 - $99.

If your girl loves pearls, here's the perfect pendant for her! This little sterling silver cat named Nabi holds a 9mm cultured Akoya (seawater) pearl in white or black, and has eyes that are available in pink or blue sapphires. Hand made to order, it takes up to 14 days to arrive, so it won't be here for Christmas, but could make a special New Year's gift if you order it today! It's priced at $98. There are also sterling silver Nabi rings that wrap around a finger for the same price...no pearl, but they have those same beautiful sapphire eyes in pink or blue.

Devon Rex fans love the curly coats of this breed, and artist Kay Fazio has captured it perfectly in this sterling silver Devon Rex pendant! He's taking a nice stretch, and is priced at only $99. For an additional $40, you can also get genuine gemstone eyes in golden citrine, light blue topaz, light green peridot, or brown smoky quartz. Kay also makes sterling silver pendants in other styles at this price point: there's a Sphynx kitten, classic-style Siamese cat, British Shorthair, Angel cat with little wings, the plain "Cat" (which some say looks like a Tonkinese), Serval cat, medium-size Savannah cat, and even the engraveable Charity Have a Heart pendant that helps fight feline diseases with a donation to fund research with every purchase! You'll find several pair of earrings and other jewelry at the $99 price, as well, in our Fine Jewelry section.

Just look at all those great gifts of jewelry at under $100! But oh, there's so much more as we go up in price...

This colorful pendant will have a very special place in your recipient's heart. You see that tiny speck of white in the middle? It's actually a piece of bone from the cremains of a departed cat, worn close to the heart to remind them of their special friend. Artist Linda Huffman crafts each Memory Pendant by hand, which takes from 2-4 weeks...what you'll receive when you order it is a kit that can be put under the Christmas tree, and will be used to send in the piece of bone or lock of hair to be placed inside the pendant, as well as choose the colors of glass to include and its shape. The base price of this original style is $108.95, and you can add the cremains of up to 3 cats for a small upcharge. Click on Linda's name in this paragraph to see all the various designs of Memory Pendants she makes, which are priced from $91.95 to $249.95, along with other grief and remembrance items for someone who's lost a cat.

More sterling silver, this time in a ring. This one features a sterling silver mother cat and her kitten, the perfect gift for Mom! The mother cat has pink sapphire eyes, the kitten blue. It's priced at $119, and for $30 more you can add a sterling silver paw print bracelet to wear with it!

What a little beauty this is! Kay Fazio's sterling silver Maine Coon pendant has the lynx-tipped ears, beautiful mane and bushy tail characteristic of this breed. He starts at $129, and for $40 more can have eyes of golden citrine, blue topaz, green peridot, or brown smoky quartz. Other sterling silver Fazio pendants at this price include the medium-size Bengal cat (or Bengal cat hoop earrings), Bobcat, Ragdoll kitten (or Ragdoll kitten earrings), a waving Norwegian Forest Cat, Oriental Shorthair, Persian, Pixie-bob, large Savannah cat (or 3 styles of Savannah cat earrings), Selkirk Rex, Siberian cat, Sphynx, and modern style Siamese. (Want the Maine Coon in 14k gold? That'll run you $1,399.)

And speaking of gold, let's jump up to gold jewelry, shall we? The first selection here is Fazio's Savannah cat charm in 14k gold. He looks great swinging from a bracelet, or even on a necklace as a small pendant. Pick him up for only $199.

The song may sing of five gold rings, but you'll only need one to capture the heart of a cat lover with this mini-pawprints ring! You can even get it engraved on the inside, if you'd like. Priced at $232. Hand made to order, so allow at least 14 days for it to arrive.

Who says gold has to be yellow, and who says cats have to have both eyes the same color? For your loved one who marches to the beat of a different drummer, this white gold odd-eye Nabi cat ring is just the thing! Priced at $289, it has one eye in natural blue sapphire, and the other in natural yellow sapphire. Another made-to-order piece (because of sizing) that you can get engraved on the inside, if you wish, but don't count on its arriving by Christmas.

What lady doesn't love a pair of gold earrings? These Savannah cat hoops are from Kay Fazio -- you recognized the details that make her jewelry so exquisite, didn't you? Take these beauties home for $449. Other 14k gold earrings at this price point: Bengal cat leverbacks, Savannah cat posts, and Bengal cat kitten hoops.

 

Ah, they're a girl's best friend...both these Savannah cat pendants from Kay Fazio, and the black diamonds embedded in them! They have spots and eyes made of genuine black diamonds. The sterling silver pendant runs $549, and the 14k gold pendant is priced at $1,499. Your pendant will be custom made by Kay when you order it, so allow time for that.

While those pieces shown above aren't all the jewelry we offer on Old Maid Cat Lady, they're certainly a good representation of them! View all our costume jewelry and fine jewelry sections to shop for more. (All prices shown above are as of this posting, and may change in the future due to fluctuations in precious metal and gemstone prices. Actual current prices will be shown with the items on the site.)

A note about Christmas delivery: since many of these items are custom made, it's not likely that they'll arrive in time for Christmas if you order them today. In fact, today (December 15) is really the last ordering day that most items, even those that aren't custom made, could be sure of arrival by Christmas. The last-date guarantee varies by supplier, we have over 60 of those, and inventory can change hourly at this time of year, so there's no way for us to "guarantee" Christmas delivery of anything at this point. Despite that, we'll do our best to get it there to you on time, and keep you updated on its progress!

Read More

12 Days of Gift Ideas: Day 2

Multiple-use cat trees like the Cat Power Tower, pictured here, make a great gift for your cat!

For Cats: Trees and Perches

Cats have a natural need to climb. And think about it: if you were down on the floor all the time, while everybody else in your house was way up above you, wouldn't you want to get up on their level so you could see what was going on around you?

Of course you would! And so does your cat. Our feline companions are intelligent, curious creatures who like to survey their domain from a place of safety. When you provide appropriate climbing and perching furniture for them, everybody's happy. If you don't...guess who's going to be climbing the draperies, scratching the furniture, and jumping up on the kitchen countertops? Your cat's not being "bad" when he does these things, he's just doing what comes naturally.

So it's settled, then; you're going to get your cat a nice cat tree or perch for Christmas. But which kind should you get? Fortunately, the days of a big, carpeted monstrosity in your living room being your only option are no more. Here's a little information about several of items available from OldMaidCatLady.com's Cat Trees and Cat Perches & Shelves categories:

Pictured above, the Cat Power Tower ($399.95) offers the best of everything for both you and your cat. Available in two beautiful wood finishes and made from renewable rubber wood to be earth-friendly, the 56" tall tower has places for your cat to climb, scratch, perch, and play. Feathery rotating toys at the top of a sisal scratching post give kitty something to bat around, while a "hunting hole" platform near the bottom provides a spot to hide toys or treats to give your cats something to find. It's just a little slice of kitty heaven!

Don't have room for a whole tree? Not to worry. The Thermo-Kitty Sill, shown here, ($31.95 - $50.95) will not only give your cat a comfy, fleece-covered place to look out the window, but can also keep her warm...or not. It comes in both heated and unheated versions and mounts on any window sill, with braces that rest against the wall underneath. The sleeping surface is made with orthopedic foam to relieve kitty's aching joints, has a cover that can be removed for washing, and is roomy enough to hold even larger breeds of cats like Maine Coons. Your cat's already relaxing right now, just knowing that you're reading about it!

 

With a faux-fur version for indoors and a cedar for outdoors, the Tarzan Cat Tree ($269.95) gives you the best of both worlds. The indoor version has dangling toys, sisal-coated scratching posts, and a rope to climb. Both offer multiple perches, a hammock bed, and a little "tree house" for kitty to hide in, with a tiny circular window for peeking out. Admit it: you're smiling inside, imagining your cats playing on this, aren't you?

Bring a touch of the tropics to your home with a Kitty Palm! The 72" Kitty Palm, shown here (starting at $258), is next-to-largest of the "grove", and is customizable with additional perches, feeding dishes so kitty can eat up out of the dog's reach, and with your choice of light or dark sisal and carpet colors. Other sizes of Kitty Palms range from a scratching post ($118) to the 80" size ($278), with several options in between. They're for indoor use only. Make yourself a tropical cocktail, sprawl on your lounge chair, and watch your cats enjoy one; it'll be like a little vacation for you both!

You say your decor leans more toward the modern than the tropical? Got your cat tree right here! The Altea Cat Tree combines sleek, modern lines with sisal-wrapped scratching posts, neutral platinum-colored carpeted platforms for your cat's comfort, and even a fun, dangly toy! Even better, the 46" tree is sale priced at only $89.95.

I've included one of the trees from Pet Tree Houses here because they're the most beautiful cat trees I've ever seen. Sadly, we'll only have them available for a few more weeks on OldMaidCatLady.com, as the company is discontinuing their drop-shipping program and will only sell directly online. So if you want one of these, grab it quickly! They come in sizes from the smallest scratcher (41" tall for $99.95) to the 84" Mature size ($999.95). The Medium Tree House size shown here is $799.95. Each is made from actual tree branches with faux ficus leaves and will complement even the finest living room. They're pricey, but aren't they gorgeous?

Maybe you actually like the traditional, carpeted cat trees. If so, we have a nice selection of those in all shapes, colors, and sizes, too. Shown here is the Kitty Park ($169.95), which is 48" of fun posts, perches, and a hidey-hole at the bottom, with a dangling toy above. And the price of it includes shipping!

While it can cost some serious change to ship something as large and heavy as a cat tree, the wide selection available on OldMaidCatLady.com outshines that in pretty much any local store...and it gets delivered to your house, so you don't even have to worry about how to fit it into your trunk. But time's a wastin', so you'd better get your cat's new tree ordered today if you want it in time for Christmas!

See our full selection at the Cat Trees and Cat Perches & Shelves categories on OldMaidCatLady.com.

Read More

12 Days of Gift Ideas: Day 1

For People: Books
When I was a little girl, every Christmas my mother always made sure to give me at least one or two books to add to my library. It was in reading Black Beauty that my empathy for animals evolved from its bare beginnings, and in Stormy I imagined the horses running wild on Chincoteague Island, knowing that there really were wild horses there. I still have most of those books. Every year when I'm buying gifts for the Caring Tree kids whose ornaments I picked at church, I always include a little book in the package for them. They usually didn't ask for a book, but it's always a good addition.

Writers tend to collect books, but I think they make great gifts for anyone. The sheer diversity in book titles provides something for every taste. Even on OldMaidCatLady.com, where we only carry books related to cats, there are over 500 book titles available! Here are some of the ways those cater to diverse types of cat lovers:

Children's books are grouped in the category by age group/reading level. For toddlers, a board book like Big Cat by Mark Shulman has fun sliding panels the little ones can pull to choose whether the animal in the book gets something large or small. It's great for teaching them about different sizes of things. Or jump on their interest in the new animated movie with a Puss In Boots interactive book for kindergartners.

First and second graders will love the many books we have about specific cat breeds that teach them the difference between Abyssinians, Birmans and Burmese, or all about American Curls, Himalayans, Somali, Sphynx, Maine Coons, Siamese, and many more. There are even books on big cats like cheetahs, lions, and tigers, or about famous cats like Christian the Lion and Dewey, the Library Cat. There are actually books about these famous cats for several reading levels.

For ages 8-9, I'd suggest books that appeal to their sense of silliness. Kids that age still love to play, and they learn a lot through guided fun in books targeted to their age group. Getting children interested in a book series is a great way to entice them to read more. Choices include the Boing-Boing the Bionic Cat series by Larry Hench, or Norman E. Stephenson's Paw Prints in the Wind series, which begins at this reading level and has more advanced installments.

Ages 10-12 are the "tween" years, when kids begin to explore the wider world and their role in it. Daniel Manus Pinkwater tapped into their budding sense of self in his Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl. Adventure plays a part in many books for this age group, with detective books like The Big Catnap: A Sam the Cat Mystery, The Adventures of Sir Goblin, the Feline Knight and the ever-popular (and quite extensive) Warriors series about colonies of feral cats. And they're discovering fine literature in books like The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale and Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, which we have in editions for this level that are illustrated by the delightfully gothic Edward Gorey or the more traditional Nicolas Bentley.

Teenagers...ah, teenagers. Surly and reclusive as they may seem, their interest can be piqued by good books like 2000 Newberry Honor winner One-Eyed Cat by Paula Fox. Younger teens will enjoy Jennifer Charron Ward's Black of Night, about a cat facing despicable danger, while older ones may prefer the first books of the Curse Workers series that details the lives of a family that can turn humans into animals with a mere touch.

If you're shopping for crafty adults, rejoice! We have several books to spark their creativity, from the hilarious sing-along book with music CD Cat Hymns to the quirky Crafting With Cat Hair. Yes, it's a book about making things out of your cat's shed hair...now that's really turning a messy situation into something positive, isn't it?

If your giftee prefers to read a craftily spun yarn instead, there are bunches of mystery series involving cats, of which we carry several volumes: Shirley Rousseau Murphy's Joe Grey mysteries, Carole Nelson Douglas's Midnight Louie mysteries, Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy mysteries, Blaize Clement's Dixie Hemingway mysteries, Clea Simon's Theda Krakow series and new Dulcie Schwartz Feline Mysteries, Rebecca M. Hale's Cats and Curios mysteries, Leann Sweeney's Cats In Trouble Mysteries, and many more. You'll also find several delightful fiction books that aren't mysteries in our Fiction section.

Got a gift recipient who likes to laugh? They'll delight in the books in Old Maid Cat Lady's Humor section, which include several favorites like Garfield, Simon's Cat, I Can Has Cheezburger, the Bloom County books with the ever-quirky Bill the Cat, and books tailor-made for old maid cat ladies, such as A Woman Needs a Man Like a Cat Needs a Bicycle, Outing the Cat Lady: Embracing Your Feline Addiction With Style, and You Know You're a Cat Lover When.... You'll be reading them before you give them to enjoy a chuckle yourself!

If you're shopping for someone who's mired in reality, or who needs some good reference books about cats, try our Nonfiction section. A-Z of Cat Health and First Aid is a holistic guide to cat care that really covers it all, but there are also several other comprehensive cat care and health guides in that category. Behavioral problems? Try Outwitting Cats, The Cat Whisperer, or Petiquette for multi-pet households.  You'll also find charming true stories of real cats like artist Charles Wysocki's Cat Tales and Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul. There's even the seasonal Celebration: the Christmas Cat Book.

And for the true artist at heart, you'll find several good choices in Old Maid Cat Lady's Poetry, Art & Picture Books section. From beautifully illustrated books like The Cat and the Fiddle: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes to art books like The Cat: 3500 Years of the Cat in Art and photography books like Rachael Hale's The French Cat, the visual arts are well covered. There's poetry by T.S. Eliot, Chas McDougall, and Dexter Weeks, in addition to several anthologies of poetry and short stories honoring everything feline. This is the place to find a great coffee table book for a cat lover.

Even veterinarians on your shopping list don't have to be left out! We have an entire selection of veterinary medical cat books to complete the professional's library. They cover everything from feline anatomy to acupuncture, cardiology, genetics, geriatric oncology, infectious diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, ophthalmology, parasitology, and clinical cat-specialty veterinary practice management.

With such an array of options, is there really anybody on your list whose gift shopping can't be handled with a book? And that's one of the main reasons I love to give books as gifts. Doesn't fit you? Don't worry; we have 11 more shopping days of ideas to come in this series!

Read More