Making your own cat gift baskets can be fun, whether the gift basket is for a cat or for someone who loves cats but doesn't own one. By making your own cat gift basket, you'll save money and be able to choose basket fillers that are the recipient's favorites or that have special meaning.

Gift Baskets for Cats
If you're looking for something more creative than the basic basket, consider using a cat bed or a sisal mat to hold the gifts. A cat bed with firm walls is about the same shape as a basket, making it easy to fill. Sisal mats can be bound up at the top with a collection of gifts inside; visually it's not as impressive as a basket, but it is a fun surprise to open. If you use a traditional basket, line the bottom of the basket with a blanket for the cat.

For fillers, add cat treats and toys. Cats like feathers and small balls. You can also add catnip toys and a bag of catnip for refills. Cats like to chase things that move, so try to find wind-up or battery-operated toys. Pull and chase toys are also big hits with cats. Practical supplies to add include nail clippers, collars, ID tags and food and water bowls.

Consider tossing a gift card to a favorite pet store for the cat's owner in the cat gift basket. Wrap the entire gift basket in colored cellophane and tie it off with a large bow.

Cat Lover's Gift Basket
To make a gift basket for a cat lover, start with a t-shirt or sweatshirt with a cat or the person's favorite cat character on it. Line the bottom of the basket with the t-shirt or sweatshirt. Depending on how you fold it, the decoration on the shirt will be visible as the gift recipient removes the goodies from the basket.

Add cat-themed items, such as cat coffee mugs for a coffee gift basket. Mix coffee and cookies or cheese and wine as special treats. You can also make a confection gift basket with chocolate and cookies. If your friend collects a lot of cat memorabilia, consider getting some decorative cat plates or cat figurines to add to the mix.

If you include breakable items in the cat gift basket, pad them with crinkle paper. Crinkle paper is available in many different colors. You can also use tissue paper to protect delicate items, but be sure to use several layers. As with all gift baskets, the finishing touch is a colored cellophane wrapper topped with a bow.