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Original poster

Is this a strange/offencive gift?

140 replies

moanycoo · 29/04/2026 12:55

I have a client couple whom ive got to know over a few years. I see them weekly at home.
I got to know and love their Dcat. All our chats were about her, always made a big fuss each week. Cat died, quite young suddenly a couple of months ago. The couple just got engaged.
Here's the question... I am a very amateur artist. I joined a club and have painted the cat. Now it looks quite good, i'm really chuffed. Its not an uncanny resemblance but you can tell its her. Could I cause offence by framing it and gifting it to them as part of their engagement gift? Thoughtful or weird??

OP posts:
scrivette · 29/04/2026 13:17

Might be better to have it printed onto a card and given as a congratulations on your engagement card (then they don’t have to keep it up all year unless they want to frame it!)

TheChosenTwo · 29/04/2026 13:16

It’s very thoughtful but no, not a suitable engagement present!!!
I don’t display artwork really in my house anyway so this wouldn’t be put up here, not a judgement on your artwork at all, I’m just picky about what I put up in my house.

Original poster
moanycoo · 29/04/2026 13:14

Thanks everyone. I knew I'd get the truth here!
My family all think its sweet but I'm just not sure.
I'm thier PT and I know I'm being invited to their wedding. Not sure if all or evening yet. So we are friends i guess 🤔

OP posts:
Roads · 29/04/2026 13:12

They are clients not friends so I wouldn't be giving them any present let alone one which is a picture of their deceased cat. You seem to have crossed some professional boundaries here.

ArtAngel · 29/04/2026 13:08

Sounds a bit over-invested.

And definitely weird as an engagement gift.

BudgetBuster · 29/04/2026 13:06

Dead cat picture - might be a nice gesture if it's actually a good picture. Would need to see or at least get someone else to comment.

Dead cat picture as an engagement gift - very very very weird

Engagement gift to clients - depend what your job is?

sallymonella · 29/04/2026 13:05

I wouldn't give it as an engagement present. I'd ask if they'd like it first before giving it to them as they may feel like they have to put it on the wall if you come round often.

Personally, I don't want any pictures of my pets, dead or alive, on my walls.

xILikeJamx · 29/04/2026 13:02

Gifting them a painting of a dead cat = not weird

Gifting them a painting of a dead cat as an engagement present = really quite weird

Jinxy1 · 29/04/2026 13:01

It’s a lovely gesture but I would give it as a general gift, not an engagement present.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 29/04/2026 13:01

Depends on the people. I wouldn’t want a framed painting of my dead cat, especially if you can just ‘tell it’s her’. But some people may be totally into that. If you are in their house every week then giving them a framed painting is a bit much for me anyway though, they will feel
obliged to put it up

BobbySheenSomethingNewToDoNsoul · 29/04/2026 13:00

Could be viewed as strange a picture of the deceased cat as an engagement present.
Side note..enjoy your painting classes.

Beeswacks · 29/04/2026 13:00

I’d love it!

Enko · 29/04/2026 12:59

I love the idea

LimbOnTheTreeTheTreeInTheHoleTheHoleInTheGround · 29/04/2026 12:59

Not as an engagement present.

Firstly I would post on some kind of art group and get opinions on the painting, then if it's all positive give it to your client at a separate time.

"Congrats on your engagement, oh here's a reminder of your dead cat" seems a bit odd to me.

Allthegoodhorses · 29/04/2026 12:58

I think we need to see the picture before deciding to be honest. I am not sure though it is appropriate for an engagement gift though.