Christmas in Heaven Pet Memorial Gifts

Updated November 2026.

The first Christmas without a dog or cat is quieter than anyone expects. A Christmas in heaven memorial gives them a place in the room: a likeness made from your photographs, their name in stone, or a small keepsake for the tree. These are the pieces we make for it, with what we need from you.

What is a Christmas in heaven memorial?

It is a keepsake that remembers someone who is not there for Christmas. For a pet, that is often a likeness made from photos, a stone with their name, or a bauble for the tree. There is no right way to do it. Some people want something that sits near the tree, some want something that stays on the shelf all year, and some simply want their pet's name written down somewhere that feels like home.

Choose by what you would like to keep

• Their name, simply: the personalised rainbow bridge cat grave marker or the personalised paw grave marker. Cast stone with your pet's name, for a shelf or the garden.
• For the tree: the personalised pet bauble from photo, which hangs on the tree each year.

A Christmas in heaven gift, in the room where they used to be

Many people choose a piece that can sit near the tree or on a shelf in the room where their pet used to be. The angel statue and the bust are for indoor display, and so is the bauble. The paw marker suits a shelf, a planter or a sheltered outdoor spot. Our first Christmas without them collection brings these together. For a bauble that hangs on the tree, see the personalised pet Christmas ornaments.

What we need from you

Pieces made from a photo need clear photos of your pet. The angel, bust and wall art all use your photos to shape the likeness. The angel statue takes two to five photos, and the bust two to five too, with an option to send them later when it is a gift. A sharp view from the front, then side angles in natural light, give the strongest reference. Blurred or heavily filtered pictures can hide important features. Read our custom pet bust buyer guide for what works best. For the custom pieces we send a digital preview before making, so you see the likeness first. Marker pieces need only your pet's name and, if you like, a short line. Not sure what to write? What to write on a pet memorial has ideas.

Giving one to someone who has lost a pet

A Christmas in heaven gift for a friend works best when it asks nothing of them. If you have good photos of their pet, a bust or angel can be made from those. If you only know the name, a marker needs nothing else. If you are unsure, a Ripleys Nest gift card lets them choose when they are ready. Our gift for someone who has lost a dog guide goes through the choice step by step, and the pet memorial gift chooser helps you pick by what you would like to keep.

Ordering in good time

Made-to-order pieces take time, so order early if you want one for a particular day. Check each product page for what is included, and for what we need from you before we start. Because custom pieces are made from your photos or wording, they cannot be cancelled once work starts or returned for a change of mind. Faulty or damaged items are always covered, and your statutory rights are unaffected.

Questions people ask

What is a Christmas in heaven memorial?

It is a keepsake that remembers someone who is not there for Christmas. For a pet, that is often a likeness made from photos, a stone with their name, or a bauble for the tree.

Which memorial is best for the first Christmas without a pet?

It depends on what you would like to keep. A likeness made from photos suits someone who wants their face; a marker suits someone who wants their name; a bauble hangs on the tree each year.

What do you need from me to make one?

Pieces made from a photo need clear photos of your pet. Marker pieces need only your pet's name and, if you like, a short line.

Can I order before Christmas?

Made-to-order pieces take time, so order early if you want one for a particular day. Check each product page for what is included.

Can I give one to a friend?

Yes. If you only know the pet's name, a marker needs nothing else. A gift card lets them choose when they are ready.

Are the pieces for indoors or outdoors?

The angel, bust, wall art and bauble are for indoor display. The paw marker suits a shelf, a planter or a sheltered outdoor spot.

Will I see it before it is made?

For the custom pieces we send a digital preview before making, so you can check the likeness first.

For a portrait keepsake, explore the cast stone pet bust or the pet memorial stone portrait.