For the cat lover who wants to surround himself or herself with everything feline, cat calendars are an absolute must. Everyone in my family puts cat calendars in their winter gift-giving lists. These are my favorite cat calendars for 2008: desk calendars, wall calendars, mini wall calendars and lovely cat picture calendars.
If there is such a thing as the ubiquitous cat calendar, this desk calendar is it. Every year, without fail, I gift hubby with this calendar. The payoff for me is that every day he brings home a page or two - double the enjoyment. Published by Workman Publishing, with new photos daily, along with interesting tidbits of cat trivia.
Leslie Ann Ivory is renowned worldwide for her lovely cat paintings, and her calendars get more beautiful every year. This 13.8" x 10.8" wall calendar will satisfy the cravings of every Ivory fan, young or old. Published by Tide-Mark Pr Ltd.
I love cat calendars and usually buy several every year as holiday gifts for friends and family. This one really tickles my funny-bone, with great full-color cat drawings depicting the history of cats from the first cat mummy (cover) to the first cat on the moon (December). I have to say that the artist, Martine Carlsen, is my hero, and by way of disclaimer, I have an (unrelated) business association with her.
A cat calendar collection is not complete without a weekly engagement calendar. This handsome engagement book from Browntrout Publications is hardbound and features a full size cat photo opposite each week's appointments, with plenty of space for each day of the week.
Troutman Publishing comes through for lovers of black cats with this wall calendar. Each of the 12 months features a different photo of hauntingly beautiful black cats. If you love black cats, this calendar is a must.
If you haven't tired yet of beautiful cat photos, consider this mini box calendar, just large enough for a small desk. Exquisite photos of stunning cats, with a magnetic backing.
From Willow Creek Press, the Just Cats 2008 Calendar includes stunning photos of cats, and makes a great gift package, along with the book by the same name. The 16 month calendar includes September through December of 2007, so you can get a head start on the new year. Large date boxes give room to write in important appointments and events.
Readers familiar with the Stuff on my Cat web site will get a kick out of this calendar. Published by Chronicle Books Llc., this desk calendar holds 364 pages of funny pictures of cats piled high with hats, stuffed animals, office supplies - just about anything a self-respecting cat will stand for, and more.
Another beautiful page-a-day calendar from Workman, featuring winning photos from a user-submitted contest. You might even want to submit your own photos for the 2009 calendar!
One more wall calendar featuring the original art of Martine Carlsen rounds out this year's list. Martine gets her inspiration on cat behavior from her own two Abyssinian cats, Sonny and Cher, who rule her home. However, her comical drawings feature cats from "all walks of life." Be sure to view all the months' individual pages. January and June tickled my funny bone, with their reference to cats and fishbowls.
Disclosure: I have a non-related business association with Ms. Carlsen.