Decorating the Christmas tree is altogether the most frustrating and entertaining activity of the holiday season, next to getting your mom to tell you what she actually wants, instead of “your presence is my present.” The process usually involves a ladder and stretching your body at unnatural angles as you hang ornaments on the tallest, most awkward branches of the tree. The entertainment part comes in as your dog watches you complete this ritual, while they cock their head in confusion and your cat looks at you with disdain and plots their plan to knock the tree topper to its death.
Even still, we get out the ornament box every year, taking special care to find the most worthy spots for the treasured ones. And, if we’re being honest, the best ornaments are the ones who remind us of our pets, who are heart-stoppingly cute but have no concept of holiday décor whatsoever. Below, the 15 look-alike Christmas ornaments that will help you celebrate your pet (or at least a miniature version of them) as they decorate the highest, most coveted branches on the tree.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
This handcrafted ornament brings a bit of whimsy to the holiday tradition of decorating the tree. Plus, it’ll make a great photo opportunity if you can get your real life Sheepdog to pose with their tiny doppelgänger.
Why opt for a smooth round ornament when you could select one of the cat-shaped bristled variety? They’re spiky, adorable, and perfectly depict one of the most meme-able animals out there (and add some other furry friends while you’re at it).
This miniature long-haired brunette Dachshund makes for an ideal compact tree ornament. Hand-knit in Brooklyn, New York with a soft alpaca blend yarn, it’s an eco-friendly and socially-conscious choice for the sustainabilityopens in a new tab devotee in your life.
What shouts festive more than colorful holiday lights? Just like this curly black Poodle ornament with tree lights nestled in their fur, the pets in your life will shine even brighter than usual this holiday season.
Finally, the pet on your tree will look as spoiled as your actual pet really is. Warning: They might see this ornament and try to steal from your stash of face masks and cozy robes and slippers that you reserve for holiday-movie nights.
Cats are pretty much the best gift out there, but this glass-blown ornament is a close second. For those with a cat who’s particularly frisky around the Christmas treeopens in a new tab, note that this one is definitely at risk for the ornament morgue. Hang with care!
If the “hang in there” meme were an ornament, this would be that ornament. And we could all use an extra reminder that we’re “doing amazing, sweetie.” (Truly, Kris Jenner’s genius should be celebrated all year long.)
Sometimes it‘s best to stick with the classics, and this beaded “I Love NY Dog” Bone is the perfect gift to honor the city dogs who pee on the sidewalk, enjoy off-leash hours at Central Park, and dive for discarded chicken bones like it’s an Olympic sport.
These felted ornaments were handcrafted by artisans in Nepal and are made of extra-soft New Zealand wool. Situated atop tiny skis, these felted animals exemplify our favorite parts of the holiday season — knit sweaters, cozy homewares, and sustainable gifting. Also, anthropomorphism (Rudolph, anyone?)!
This sleeping dog ornament toy is the perfect model of what you’d like your dog to be doing instead of barking non-stop at the Christmas tree. It’s made from mouth-blown glass and hand-crafted using holiday traditions that date back to the 1800s, so it’s rooted in timeless artisanal practices — and is adorable to boot.
Crafted from alpaca yarn, these ornaments add a bit of Iris Apfel-big-glasses-style whimsy to any tree. Plus, it’s a good reminder that, even if you don’t live in the climate for a winter scarf, it’s just good fashion sense to throw one on.
Topping-filled and tortilla-wrapped, this Chihuahua ornament is ideal for tiny-pup parents and taco aficionados — or those who identify as both. Points if you have a Chihuahua named Taco.
This soft linen cat ornament is the tiny dancer Elton John has been singing about all these years. Hand-decorated and embellished, it’s not only a socially conscious purchase but was designed to help reduce our environmental footprint. Tbh, one could use a holiday gift more than our planet.
Avery is a writer and producer. She has written for numerous publications, including Refinery29, BuzzFeed, and V Magazine. When she’s not at her computer, you can find her reading, practicing her Greek on Duolingo, and delving into the Sex and the City discourse. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their cat, Chicken, who rules with an iron fist.