Christmas Gift Ideas for Someone Who Has Lost a Pet

Buying Christmas presents is usually fairly straightforward. You think about what someone likes, what they might need or something they've been talking about wanting for months.

But when someone has recently lost a pet, it can be harder to know what to buy.

Would they like something to remember their pet by? Would it be upsetting to receive a memorial they weren't expecting? And how do you choose something so personal on someone else's behalf?

It's something we come across regularly at Mia Cooper & Co. A lot of our work involves creating memorials for people who've lost their pets, and we've been on the receiving end of that grief ourselves.

Having lost both Mia and Cooper, we know how strange it can feel when Christmas comes around and they're no longer part of it. There are the obvious things, like their stockings, but also all the little routines you don't necessarily think about until they're missing.

We understand why people want to do something for someone who's grieving. The difficult part is knowing what that person would actually appreciate.

So, here are a few Christmas gift ideas we'd consider, along with some things worth thinking about before buying.

1. Print and frame their favourite photograph

Most of us have hundreds of photos of our pets on our phones, but surprisingly few printed and displayed around the house.

If you know someone has a favourite photograph of their pet, why not have it printed and framed? You don't need to spend a fortune on framing. A nice frame with a photograph they already love is plenty.

And don't worry if the photo isn't perfect. Some of our favourite pictures of Mia and Cooper aren't particularly good photographs, but we wouldn't swap them for anything.

2. Have a portrait made from their pet's photograph

If you'd like something a little more customised, you could have a portrait made from a photograph of their pet.

There are plenty of options, including pencil drawings, paintings, digital illustrations and metal artwork.

At MCC, we create laser-cut steel portraits from customers' own photographs. They're designed around the individual animal rather than a generic breed image and can be displayed indoors or in the garden.

One thing we'd suggest if you're arranging a portrait as a surprise is choosing a photograph you know the recipient loves. What you consider the best photo might not be the one they'd choose themselves.

3. A plant for the garden

If their pet spent a lot of time outside, you could buy something to plant in a favourite spot in the garden. A small tree, a flowering shrub or even something they can grow in a pot if they don't have much space.

Some people like having a particular place to remember their pet, while others might simply appreciate a new addition to their garden.

Just check that whatever you choose suits their garden and isn't toxic to any other animals they have.

4. Make a donation to an animal rescue

All four of our dogs, Mia, Cooper, Henley and Harper, came to us through rescue and adoption, so this is something we'd personally appreciate.

If the person you're buying for adopted their pet, you could make a donation to the rescue organisation they came from.

Most rescues have ongoing veterinary bills, food costs and animals needing rehabilitation before they're ready for new homes. Donations help them keep doing that work. Some organisations also provide a certificate or acknowledgement you can include in a Christmas card.

5. A keepsake with their pet's name

Not everyone wants a custom portrait or a large memorial.

An engraved timber keepsake, a small garden plaque or a piece of jewellery with their pet's name might be more their style. These are generally based on an existing design, with a name or dates added, rather than being created from a photograph.

We also have a range of pre-designed pet memorials that can be personalised with a pet's name or dates, if that's more along the lines of what you're looking for.

Whatever you choose, double-check the spelling and any dates before ordering. And don't feel obliged to add a long sentimental message. Sometimes their name is enough.

6. Let them choose their own memorial

If you know someone would like a memorial but you're unsure what to choose, a gift card is another option.

Choosing a photograph, deciding on a design and working out where to display something are all fairly personal decisions. They might also want a bit more time before having anything made.

We offer MCC gift cards, although you could do the same with another artist or maker whose work you think they'd like. That way, they can choose something themselves when they're ready.

Before you buy

Through our own experiences and the families we've worked with, we've learnt that people can have very different feelings about memorial gifts.

Some love having photographs and keepsakes of their pets around the house. Others find those reminders difficult, especially when the loss is recent. If you're unsure how someone feels about receiving a memorial, ask them. It doesn't need to be a big conversation, and taking away the element of surprise isn't necessarily a bad thing.

It's also worth remembering that you don't have to buy something related to their pet at all. Someone who's grieving might appreciate having their pet acknowledged, but that doesn't mean they want every gift or conversation to be about their loss. They might be perfectly happy receiving the same sort of Christmas present you'd have bought them any other year.

We've got plenty of photographs and memories of Mia and Cooper that still make us laugh when we think about the ridiculous things they used to do. But we also know that what brings us comfort might not be what someone else needs.

If you're buying for someone who's lost a pet this Christmas, don't put too much pressure on finding the perfect present. Sometimes remembering their dog or cat, mentioning their name or sharing a funny memory can mean more than you'd realise.

We certainly appreciate it when people remember Mia and Cooper. They're still very much part of our family, even though they're no longer here.