Flaunt your holiday feline style while helping cats in need

Editor’s note:

Let’s face it: Cat people are a weird and wonderful bunch — and we’re not afraid to show it. Most cat lovers will agree that being a cat parent is much more than “having a pet.” It’s
a lifestyle. From clothes and accessories to “parties for paws,” cat people LOVE showing off their cat pride.

Hold an ugly sweater holiday party

I either throw or attend one every year, and, without fail, there are always a few cat people rocking the ugly cat sweater with style (myself included). Why not do some good for the cats who inspire your catwalk-worthy looks?

Many ugly sweater parties include a small fee to enter, with the winner taking home the pot. If you make the winner a local shelter or cat charity, you’ll get the best of both worlds: a chance to flaunt your kitty creativity and purrfect sense of style as well as help some cats in need.

If you need a little help with that ugly cat sweater, look no further than the Ugly Christmas Sweater Shop. The name says it all. Debby McClain and company proudly make sweaters that will crown you the belle of the ugly cat sweater ball. My favorite is the Here Kitty Kitty sweater with “light-up fiber-optic bow” and catnip toy. Yes, you read that right. There’s a catnip toy on the sweater.

Of course, there’s more to cat style than ugly sweaters. Taking some inspiration from cat cafes, why not have your cat host a “tea paw-ty”? Guests can practice their manners by bringing a “hostess gift” of a food or money donation for a local cat charity.

As every good host gives as well as receives, consider offering your guests cheeky, charming cat ornaments from StanleyAndStewart. I keep mine displayed all year long.

More wearable cattitude

With companies such as RCTees, you can flash your feline fashion sense and do good for cats.

Inspired by their rescue cat Abby, Toni Nicholson and her husband, Mark, create cat-themed clothes with a conscience. Aside from donating “roughly 10 percent of proceeds to various animal organizations,” RCTees also works with advocates to help abandoned cats. I love the “Crazy About Cats Lady” shirt. And don’t forget the cat guys! I’m geeking out over the “Cat, I Am Your Father” T-shirt.

With so many options out there, there’s no reason not to show off your cat pride. Onward, quirky cat lovers!

Order by Sunday, Dec. 14, to guarantee Christmas delivery in the U.S.

About the author: Louise Hung is a morbidly inclined cat lady living in Hong Kong, with her cat, her man, and probably a couple ghost cats. She also writes for xoJane. You can follow her on Twitter or drop her a line at [email protected].