Animal Christmas Cards and Wrapping Paper: Pets in Antlers by Lorna Syson

Who says reindeer should have all the fun at Christmas? In my festive illustrations, dogs, cats and even zoo animals get their own pair of antlers.

My animal Christmas cards and wrapping paper bring together my love of illustration, animals and a little seasonal silliness. Whether you’re sending Christmas wishes to a devoted dog owner or wrapping a present for someone who loves wildlife, these characters offer a cheerful way to make it personal.

How Jenkins inspired my Christmas antler designs

Like many of my designs, this collection started with something close to home: my dog, Jenkins.

At home, his first Christmas we dressed Jenkins up in a antler headband me had, and then I had a spark of inspriation, a range  of illustrated dogs and cats wearing antlers. The idea proved so popular that I went on to give zoo animals a festive makeover, too, creating Christmas wrapping paper featuring penguins, giraffes and pandas wearing antlers.

There’s something wonderfully funny about a familiar animal dressed for Christmas. A simple pair of illustrated antlers can turn a pet portrait into a festive character while keeping the animal’s personality at the heart of the design.

Dog Christmas cards for the pet lovers in your life

If you know someone whose dog is very much part of the family, choosing a dog Christmas card is a lovely way to show you’ve thought about them.

My Black Labrador Christmas card features an illustrated black Lab wearing gold foil reindeer antlers. The foil adds a little festive shine, making it a cheerful choice for a Labrador owner or anyone with a soft spot for dogs.

I love the idea of choosing a card because it reminds you of someone’s pet. It gives that small seasonal gesture a personal connection before you’ve even written your message.

Christmas Bolt – Black Labrador

Cats wearing antlers: a playful festive twist

Cats were part of my original pets-in-antlers collection, too. Their familiar silhouettes lend themselves beautifully to illustration, and adding festive antlers gives them an unexpected Christmas twist.

For a cat lover, an animal-themed card can feel especially thoughtful. It reflects something they love and brings a little humour to their Christmas post.

The collection is about enjoying those personalities through drawing, with festive accessories added on paper.

Strawberry Hill House Christmas Fair – Festive Gifts – Lorna Syson

Go Wild: zoo animals wearing Christmas antlers

Once I’d illustrated pets in antlers, I couldn’t resist exploring some more unexpected animals.

My Go Wild Christmas collection includes characters such as:

• Zoe the Zebra, wearing red reindeer antlers against a snowy green background.
• Barry the Baboon, joining in with his own festive antlers.
• Harold the Hippo, bringing a wonderfully unexpected face to the Christmas card display.

Each takes the familiar idea of Christmas antlers and gives it a playful animal twist.

There’s also my Christmas Koala card, featuring a koala sitting in a tree, holding a candy cane and wearing reindeer antlers as snow falls around it. A little festive imagination goes a long way!

Zebra sustainable greeting card chrsistmas card FSC plastic free skiing dog Ski Chihuahua illustration made in uk british designer Christmas Card Zebra called Zoe

Christmas wrapping paper with animals in antlers

The fun continues onto the wrapping paper.

My zoo-animal antler illustrations developed into a Christmas gift-wrap design featuring orangutans, giraffes and pandas. Repeating these characters across the paper turns the wrapping itself into part of the surprise.

Animal Christmas wrapping paper is a lovely choice for children and adults alike. You might choose it for a wildlife enthusiast, a pet-loving friend or simply someone who enjoys a less traditional festive design.

For finishing touches, I would keep things simple: plain ribbon or string lets the illustrations stand out. You can also save suitable offcuts for smaller presents or handmade gift tags.

Go wild Christmas wrapping paper, panda, giraffe and penguin luxury gift wrap, wrapping paper, christmas paper, christmas wrapping paper

Pair your Christmas card with your gift wrap

Choosing coordinating cards and wrapping paper helps bring your presents together without needing lots of extra decoration.

The Go Wild Christmas card listings include coordinating wrapping paper within the collection, so you can carry the animal theme from the envelope to the gift.

You don’t have to match everything perfectly. Choose a favourite animal for the card, then use a shared colour or festive theme to connect it with the wrapping.

Illustrated Christmas cards printed in the UK

As an independent British designer based in South Oxfordshire, I care about the details of the finished card as well as the illustration.

The featured Black Labrador and Go Wild cards are printed in the UK on high-quality paper from an FSC-certified supplier. They are blank inside, leaving room for your own Christmas message.

A few handwritten words can make a card feel special. Mention a memory from the year, send a little encouragement or let someone know you’re looking forward to seeing them.

Send a little animal-inspired Christmas cheer

From a Labrador in gold foil antlers to a hippo joining the reindeer dress code, my festive animal illustrations are designed to bring a smile.

Choosing a card that reminds you of someone—or their much-loved pet—is a small way to make Christmas feel more personal. Add playful animal wrapping paper, and the gift can bring a little joy before it’s even opened.

Explore my Christmas card collection and discover your favourite festive characters at Lorna Syson.