We have been investing in lots of interactive toys! There’s a great variety out there, but I can assure you that Macaroni has worn the batteries out a few times on his butterfly toy. He also has a toy that is basically a glorified cat version of whack a mole with a little feather and he greatly enjoys that. If you prefer something a little simpler you can’t go wrong with a traditional laser pointer. We all get a kick out him running all over the house trying to catch that annoying red light! We try to incorporate a variety of toys in his repertoire to prevent him from getting too bored. Just like with my kiddos, I also like to rotate toys with my kitties as well. This is a great way to keep things fresh and prevent boredom.

We’ve also purchased a few cat furniture pieces. This is a great way to give your pet a chance to utilize their natural instincts of climbing! We have a new cat tree that Macaroni can’t get enough of. We have a few cats in our household, so we do have multiple cat trees in our home. This is nice because Macaroni is a little much for my senior kitties at times. Everyone has their own space to explore and play! Don’t want to invest in a big cat tree? Try cutting a few holes in a cardboard box! I don’t think I’ve ever seen my cats turn down a new box to explore and play with. Crinkle up some packing paper and you will keep the entertained for at least a few hours!

Don’t be afraid to find some fun cat friendly videos online. Growing up, I vividly remember having a “Cat TV” VHS that I would put on for my kitties when I would be gone for extended periods during the day. Although I no longer have that video I have found similar videos on Youtube that my cats enjoy watching. This is a great way to stimulate their natural desire to hunt and observe wildlife! Depending on your location, you may be able to create the real thing for your pet with a window seat and a bird feeder.

I hope that some of these give your cat some great mental stimulation and ensure that you don’t suffer from too much boredom during these short winter days!

Join the Military Cat Club for savings and exclusive giveaways made just for military families and their PURR-fect cats and kittens.

Find Out More with MyMilitarySavings.com and Pets!

Lately, I’ve been completely hooked on this Danish idea called Hygge. It’s that perfect mix of coziness, warmth, and just… slowing down in a way that makes everyday life feel kind of magical. I first heard about it from a friend of mine, she’s an author, and in her book, she talks about little rituals that turn ordinary days into moments you actually savor. After reading it, I realized I wanted some of that magic in my own life, especially with Luna.

Hygge isn’t about fancy décor or Pinterest-worthy setups. It’s not about doing anything big. For me, it’s the little things that make it real: curling up on the couch under a soft blanket, a warm drink in hand, and Luna curled up against me. She’s full of personality, stubborn, funny, and endlessly curious, but somehow she makes cozy feel effortless. I love watching her stretch in the sunlight, or just nap in a sunbeam. It reminds me to pause and notice the small things I usually rush past.

Of course, part of keeping Hygge alive with a cat means keeping the space fresh. Nothing kills a cozy vibe faster than a litter box that smells funky. I’ve been using Tidy Cat, and it’s honestly one of those little practical things that makes relaxing with her possible without even thinking twice.

I’ve started trying to turn ordinary routines into these tiny Hygge rituals. Morning light streaming in through the windows is my cue for a slow stretch, a quiet coffee, and a little check-in with Luna as she inspects the room for “hidden treasures.” Evenings are my favorite: soft lighting, blankets tossed over the couch, and a few rounds of her favorite toys. Sometimes I light a candle (safely!) and just watch her explore or nap. There’s something so grounding about watching her do her thing, completely content.

The thing about Hygge is that it’s not something you schedule or force, it’s about noticing the little things and choosing to make them feel special. For me, it’s more than comfort, it’s gratitude, presence, and connection. Luna has been with me through moves, travels, and all the little chaos life throws at you, and practicing these cozy rituals with her makes me appreciate every day a little more.

Whether I’m curled up with a book, sipping tea, or just soaking in a quiet moment with her, I’ve realized that Hygge isn’t just a concept…it’s most definitely a lifestyle. And honestly, having Luna there to share it with is the best part of all. In 2026, I’m making it a goal to create more of these little Hygge moments with her. Soft blankets, warm drinks, gentle light, and a little help from Tidy Cat to keep our space fresh. It’s simple, it’s joyful, and it’s exactly the kind of mindful practice I didn’t know I needed, but now, I can’t imagine starting a day without it.

My youngest munchkin adores our kitties and, well, ANYTHING kitty related. Clothes. Curtains. Costumes. Toys. Jewelry. She has a kitty cat toothbrush for the love of… anyway.

I saw a photo of a pair of high heels that someone had turned into a feline and I immediately knew I had to recreate them for my daughter. Minus the high heel, of course. Our next trip to the store, I found some adorable polka dotted slip-ons and I got straight to crafting. In hindsight, a solid colored shoe would have worked best but I am in love with the way that these turned out, nevertheless.

This is all you need:

• A pair of shoes
• Painters tape
• Black fabric paint (I had a painters pen)
• White nail polish

Step 1) Use painters tape to mark a line straight across the toe of the shoe. You will paint everything below this line with black fabric paint. There is no specific brand for this… just visit your local craft store and look for something fabric safe. This is where polka dots became tricky – it took many coats to cover each white spot.

Step 2) Remove the tape. Do not worry about edges that may not be smooth – you will add little strokes all along this edge for “fur” and will also add 2 triangles for ears.

Step 3) Use the while nail polish to add eyes, a nose, and whiskers. I had a bottle of polish meant for making nail designs that came with a thin brush – if you do not, try using a toothpick.

And voilà, there you have it!

I officially have the happiest child in all of Southeast Georgia. 🙂

If you have a feline fur baby of your own, you may want to check out this DIY cat collar. My Bruno was the star of the show for that one, and it is the classiest collar in town. And cost less than $5!

Want to make a DIY cat house? All you need is a t-shirt, hanger, and a piece of cardboard! Check it out here!

For other fun, DIY projects visit MyMilitarySavings.com!!

This project was inspired by my cat-loving aunt, Marjorie. She offered to drive five hours just to babysit my four year old because you know how the military has a way of sending away our spouses when we already have plans made – for example, a three day school trip to Gettysburg for my ten year old that I signed up to chaperone. So for her to offer to drive to a completely different state to watch my youngest munchkin for me so I could attend that trip deserved a huuuuuge thank you. This craft seemed perfect. And it was certainly made with love. <3

To begin, I found a free newspaper printable online. I knew an actual newspaper would crinkle under the wet watercolor paint so I printed what appears to be a newspaper onto thick card stock that would hold up.

So this is what you’ll need: card stock (8.5″ x 11″), a thin black marker, watercolor paint, and this free newspaper printable from Knick of Time (there are a few different pages to choose from). Plus a frame if you’d like to make it fancy once you’re finished.

Once you have printed the newspaper on your card stock, draw any design that you’d like onto it. We obviously chose a cat. I prefer simple, basic shapes because drawing is not my forte but feel free to get crazy with it!

Next, paint your design with watercolor! I let my four year old completely have at it without any direction from me. She chose her own colors, decided to make “patches” and even began coloring in the background. I assisted with the cat’s stripes and eyes but she gets credit for absolutely everything else and my, what a fantastic job she did!!

After the paint dried I framed this beauty in a simple document frame. I didn’t want to use a frame with too much detail to keep the focus on the artwork. And voilà… a handmade, heartfelt gift. That is pretty contemporary, I might add.

I immediately determined that I’d like a few of these for myself so I have some extra “newspaper” printed and saved for a rainy day!

What designs would you choose to draw on your newspaper? I’d love to see your creations! Share them below in the comments!

For more family friendly crafts, visit MyMilitarySavings.com.

So the month of January tends to hold the “New Year, New Me” trend, right? I could not vow to make any abrupt changes to myself or lifestyle (I’m still on the fence about the purple mermaid hair… hmm…) but I could surely influence my fur babies to get a makeover! In fact, once I brought the materials home that I needed to make my little guys look so fancy dancy they went crazy and were rolling around in my shopping bags and meowing. A total sign that they were ecstatic about this project.

No, but seriously, they do love these awesome DIY Cat Collars that cost me less than $5 for BOTH OF THEM! They’re handsome and they know it!

The only real effort this DIY takes is scouting out your local thrift store. Unless you happen to have toddler button-up shirts on hand! That’s what you’ll be looking for… not necessarily a collared shirt but a button-up collared shirt because the material tends to be a bit different. You don’t want a knitted cloth but a woven cloth that won’t unravel once it is cut. The size of the shirt depends on your feline friend. My Bruno is a little over one year old and weighs 13 pounds and a 24 month shirt fits him perfectly. If your cat is more petite I would suggest a 12 month/18 month shirt. It is very important, obviously, that you don’t choke your cat and that this collar doesn’t make them uncomfortable or distressed so try the sizes on them before making this project. (Side note: My shirts only cost $2 a piece!! SCORE!)

Once you’ve found the perfect shirts for your kitties, grab a pair of scissors and an iron.

The only part of the shirt you’re going to be interested in is the actual collar. Unfold the collars and iron them so they are nice and flat and crisp.

Next you are going to cut right under the seem that holds the very first button of the shirt.

So you’ll end up with this:

Now simply button it around your cat’s neck and voilà!

That’s Bruno and Gus Gus, both named after Cinderella because I have two daughters so no further explanation necessary. I can’t get over how nice they look in their new attire!!

They also take their bird watching jobs much more seriously now that they’re professionally dressed.

If you give this a try (because it’s impossible to not want to after seeing how easy it really is, right?) then I would LOVE to see your finished products on your fur children! Share those photos in the comments below!!

For more crafty, clever, DIY projects or fun, family friendly, arts and crafts… visit MyMilitarySavings.com!