Anyone who loves cats owns the mug. Probably the tote bag, the socks and a calendar too. Friends and family keep buying them because they're the easy option, and after a while those gifts all blur together.
When we started AlwaysCat, the idea was to make the opposite: one object you'd actually want on display for years. So here's how we'd think about a present for a cat person, whether it ends up being one of our sculptures or not.
Buy for the human, not the cat
Toys and treats are lovely, and the cat will enjoy them for about a week. A gift for the person who loves the cat sticks around a lot longer. Look for something for their home that they wouldn't buy for themselves. That's what makes it feel like a present rather than a purchase.
Make it a little bit personal
It doesn't take much. Their favourite colour, their name, a date that means something to the two of you. Or, if they never stop talking about their own cat (they don't), a portrait of that cat. Any one of those turns a nice object into their object.
Depending on who it's for
A friend. We'd go bright. Klein Blue, Mint, Tangerine or Lilac from the Colors range are cheerful and fit in almost anywhere. Our gifts for a friend are a good place to start.
A cat mom or cat dad. Hard to beat Your Cat: you send us a few photos of their cat and we paint the sculpture to look like it. There's a selection for a cat mom and for a cat dad too.
Your partner. A plain finish with their name or your date painted by hand on the cat's left haunch. It's small and discreet, and only the two of you know why it's there. See our picks for your wife, your husband or your girlfriend.
A colleague. Chip in as a team. It takes the awkwardness out of the envelope going round the office, and everyone can add a word for the card. We explain how it works in a separate piece on group gifts, and there's a selection for colleagues.
Shopping for a particular day? We've grouped the cats for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's, Mother's Day, weddings, housewarmings, retirements and plain old thank yous.
What it costs
Prices include free shipping anywhere in the world and appear in your own currency at checkout. In Swiss francs, the Classic finishes are CHF 199, Colors CHF 229, the Art finishes CHF 249 and Signature CHF 289. Your Cat is CHF 349, and the Golden Stars limited edition, 50 pieces in total, is CHF 379. Adding a name or a date costs CHF 40 on Classic and Colors. If you'd rather let them choose, e-gift cards start at CHF 100 and are valid for two years.
If the birthday is next week
We'll be honest: every cat is painted to order and ships from Switzerland in 4 to 6 weeks, and we won't rush the painting. What we can do is send an e-gift card by email, so they still open something on the day and pick their cat themselves.
Questions we often get
What do you give someone who loves cats and already has everything?
Something lasting for their home that they wouldn't treat themselves to, ideally with a personal touch: their colour, their name, or a portrait of their own cat.
Do you ship outside Switzerland?
Yes, everywhere, and shipping is free. Outside Switzerland, the recipient may have to pay import duties and taxes on delivery. Our shipping page has the details.