Gift Guides
Christmas Gifts for Dog and Cat Lovers: Personalized Ideas Made from a Pet Photo
Quick answer: The most personal Christmas gifts for dog and cat lovers are made from a photo of their own pet. A hand-drawn pet portrait mug ($29.99), a pet face pillow ($27.90–$47.50) or a pet photo moon lamp ($33.90–$50.90) can be ordered as late as December 1. Order a sterling silver pet photo necklace ($33.90) by November 27, and a felted keychain of their pet's face ($69.20) or a bobblehead of them with their pet (from $101.90) by November 16, for standard US delivery before Christmas.
Personalized pet gift ideas for Christmas
Every gift below starts with a favorite photo of the dog or cat, and the prices already include the personalization. You can see everything together in our personalized gifts for pet lovers collection.
Something to carry: a felted keychain of their pet
The custom pet face keychain is a mini portrait of the pet's head and face, needle-felted by hand in wool from your photos, with the markings and colors matched. It is about 3.5 inches (9 cm) tall on a key ring, so it can go on their keys or bag, and dogs, cats, horses, ducks and other animals are all welcome. It costs $69.20, just under the $70 free-shipping threshold, so adding a small item such as a pet mug brings the order to free standard shipping.
Put the pet in a bobblehead
Most of our single-person bobbleheads come in a 1 person + 1 pet style, so the dog or cat lover in your life can be sculpted with their pet at their side. The custom bobblehead for her and the custom bobblehead for him cost $101.90–$121.50 with a pet, and the custom family bobblehead fits two people plus one pet for $161.40–$204.80. Send a clear photo of the pet along with a photo of each face. Want a quick preview first? Our free pet bobblehead maker makes a 3D dog or cat bobblehead in your browser.
Something they will use every day
- Pet portrait mug ($29.99): a hand-drawn portrait of their dog or cat on a ceramic mug. Choose front only, the same design on both sides, or a different design on each side, which works well for two pets.
- Custom pet photo blanket ($54.90): a soft flannel throw printed with the pet's photo, in 3 sizes and 6 background colors.
- Pet portrait embroidered scarf ($59.90) and pet portrait baseball cap ($59.99): the pet's face embroidered from your photo. The scarf comes in 11 colors, and the adjustable cap can add the pet's name under the portrait.
Something to display
- Pet photo 3D moon lamp ($33.90–$50.90): printed with the pet's photo and an optional name, rechargeable, with three light colors and a stand.
- Pet face pillow ($27.90–$47.50): printed from your photo and cut to the shape of the pet's face, in 12, 16 or 20 inch sizes. It is a funny, cuddly gift for pet lovers and kids alike.
- Crystal ball music box ($79.90 with your photo): the pet's photo inside a 4-inch crystal ball on a wooden base that plays "Always with Me."
Something to wear, for them or their pet
The sterling silver pet photo necklace ($33.90) has the pet's face carved into a 925 sterling silver pendant, with a name or short phrase engraved on the back. For the pet itself, the leather pet photo tag ($59.00) carries the pet's photo, name and a special date, such as an adoption day, on a 5 cm tag for the collar, in emerald green, tobacco brown or pink.
A stocking for the dog or cat
Any of our personalized stockings can carry the pet's name on the cuff, so the dog or cat gets a spot on the mantel next to the family. The personalized burlap stocking is $39.90 with a name. Our personalized Christmas stockings guide has tips on names and matching sets.
Pet lover gifts compared
| Gift | Price | Made from | Order by for Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet portrait mug | $29.99 | Hand-drawn from your photo | December 1 |
| Pet face pillow | $27.90–$47.50 | Printed from your photo | December 1 |
| Pet photo moon lamp | $33.90–$50.90 | Photo plus an optional name | December 1 |
| Pet photo blanket | $54.90 | Printed from your photo | December 1 |
| Embroidered scarf or cap | $59.90 / $59.99 | Embroidered from your photo | December 1 |
| Leather pet photo tag | $59.00 | Photo, name and a date | December 1 |
| Stocking with the pet's name | $38.90–$41.90 | Embroidered name | December 1 |
| Sterling silver pet photo necklace | $33.90 | Carved from your photo | November 27 |
| Crystal ball music box | $79.90 (custom photo) | Your photo inside the ball | November 27 |
| Felted pet face keychain | $69.20 | Handmade from your photos | November 16 |
| Bobblehead with a pet | $101.90–$204.80 | Sculpted by hand from your photos | November 16 |
How to order and which photo to send
Pets rarely sit still for the camera, so it is worth a few minutes to pick the right photo:
- Sharp, front-facing and well lit: eyes toward the camera and the whole head in frame, ears included. Daylight from a window works well; skip blurry, dark or heavily filtered shots.
- Close-ups for carving and embroidery: the necklace, scarf and cap need a sharp close-up of the face, because low-resolution photos lose detail.
- Several angles for the felted keychain: send the front, both sides and the back so every marking can be matched.
- Buying for someone else's pet: their social media or a family member is often the best source. Pick the expression the owner would recognize.
Upload the photo with the Upload your photo button on the product page, add the pet's name in the personalization box, and reply to your order confirmation email if you find more photos. Items made from a photo come with a digital preview to approve before production starts.
When to order for Christmas
- By November 16: the felted pet keychain and bobbleheads, made in 10–15 business days after you approve the preview.
- By November 27: the pet photo necklace and crystal ball, made in 5–7 business days.
- By December 1: everything else. The moon lamp and pillow take 3–5 business days, and the mug, blanket, scarf, cap and stockings take 2–4.
Standard tracked US delivery usually takes 6–9 business days after dispatch. Standard shipping is free on orders of $70 or more and $7.99 under $70, and express shipping is $15. Ordering after a date has passed? Email support@giftsjourneyshop.com before you order and we will tell you honestly whether it can arrive in time, or send a Gifts Journey gift card by email so they can upload their pet's photo when they are ready. Every option is on our delivery information page.
If the pet has passed away
The holidays can be hard for someone who lost a dog or cat this year. A gentle keepsake made from a favorite photo, such as the felted keychain, the photo necklace or the moon lamp, can mean a lot. Our pet memorial gifts collection brings these together, and our pet memorial gift guide has advice on choosing a photo and giving a memorial gift to a grieving friend.
Shopping for Mom too, or running short on time? See our personalized Christmas gifts for Mom and our last-minute personalized Christmas gifts.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good personalized Christmas gift for a dog lover?
A gift made from a photo of their own dog: a hand-drawn portrait mug, a pet photo blanket, a pet face pillow, a sterling silver photo necklace or a felted keychain of the dog's face.
Can you make a gift from one photo of my pet?
For most items, one sharp, front-facing photo is enough. The felted keychain needs photos of the front, both sides and the back.
Can I include two pets?
The pet portrait mug can have a different design on each side, so it suits two pets. For a bobblehead with more than one pet, email support@giftsjourneyshop.com before ordering and we will quote the extra figures.
Will I see the design before it is made?
Yes. Items made from your photo come with a digital preview to approve before production starts.
What is the last day to order pet gifts for Christmas?
November 16 for the felted keychain and bobbleheads, November 27 for the necklace and crystal ball, and December 1 for everything else, with standard US shipping.
Is shipping free?
Standard US shipping is free on orders of $70 or more and $7.99 under $70. Express shipping is $15.