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Original poster

Has anyone ever managed to pull of a pet as a Christmas gift?

25 replies

quirkyquerty · 15/10/2022 17:16

We lost our elderly cat earlier this year, and we didn't feel ready to get a new pet straight away, and I don't think the children were ready for that either. They are 5 and 2, and we are now looking for a kitten to join the family again.

I'm my head, it's a lovely idea to be there on Xmas morning from Santa. In reality, would that be impossible to arrange do you think?

OP posts:

Original poster

quirkyquerty · 15/10/2022 17:18

Okay I have already talked myself out of it but I don't know how to delete this thread. I was just imagining all the noise and excitement of Xmas morning and a terrified cat. I'll do it at a calmer time of year

OP posts:

bellinisurge · 15/10/2022 17:18

Probably better to get it before Christmas do you can help it settle before the Christmas craziness. Maybe Santa can bring some gifts for the kitten

Blush21 · 15/10/2022 17:18

Doable if you can arrange for someone to take care of the kitten for a few days before Christmas or arrange to pick up the kitten as close to Christmas as possible

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TheSpottedZebra · 15/10/2022 17:19

It's a stressful time to be hiding and then unveiling a cat. Stressful for the cat, i mean.

Plus I think it is a really bad idea to give pets as a gift. It suggests they're fads, or temporary things. And are the children meant to be doing the looking after?

If you're ready, better to welcome a new cat in when you're all calm and ready, not whrn you are ripping open paper and having guests and trying to cook a big dinner.

DreamingofItaly2023 · 15/10/2022 17:19

quirkyquerty · 15/10/2022 17:18

Good thinking OP :) kitten season is the spring so might be worth waiting until then.

TheSpottedZebra · 15/10/2022 17:20

Oh, cross post with... you, OP!

Blush21 · 15/10/2022 17:20

Or you could gift the children lots of bits for said kitten with a note from Santa saying the new arrival is making his way from the North Pole and should be here very soon or provide a date if you know when you collect? Or if rehoming a kitten you could say Santa has spoken to the rescue and arranged for them to get a new friend and they can pick?

Idyllicidealist · 15/10/2022 17:20

Yes.
Definitely a bad idea but perhaps once Christmas and New year are over a kitten would lift cold, damp February spirits.

WhineWhineWINE · 15/10/2022 17:20

Too much chaos at Xmas for a baby to be introduced to its new home. Buy the kids all the cat accessories to open Xmas morning, with a promise to go kitten shopping in the new year?

liveforsummer · 15/10/2022 17:21

I've done it with a giant millipede but don't think it's fair on a cat as you've already decided. What about birthdays? It could arrive ahead of time as there isn't the whole Santa game to keep up

TheSpottedZebra · 15/10/2022 17:21

Or, see if you can rescue one sooner, in half term and Santa's can then bring it gifts at Xmas.

And you gave the best reason no NOT do that pissing elf onnthe shelf.

notputtingtheheatingon · 15/10/2022 17:21

Why not pick the kitten beforehand but give your kids a 'cat voucher' on Christmas morning and let them know you'll be going to pick the kitty up a few days later. Lot less stressful that way...plus the kids have a couple of extra days excitement post Christmas while they're waiting to meet their new pet. 😊

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 15/10/2022 17:22

Many will disagree, but I think a pet as a Christmas present (or any present) gives the wrong impression of what a pet is. A gift is a treat. A pet is something that needs care, attention, work, love, that all family members should agree to be on board with before committing to, even if they are too young to really understand that commitment and the parents will do all the work.

Beamur · 15/10/2022 17:26

We got our kittens in November so had Christmas with madcap kittens which was great! They loved it 😁
In answer to your question - how about a toy kitten in a cat carrier...then tell your kids you're getting a kitten but it's not recommended to bring them home actually at Christmas, but you're getting one soon.

JulesCobb · 15/10/2022 17:27

I was just imagining all the noise and excitement of Xmas morning and a terrified cat.

i came on to say this.

but also, christmas starts on christmas day. They could come down a different morning to a kitten if youre getting one anyway. Depends how busy your house is over christmas. My cat hets very stressed during advdnt and christmas becUse furniture loves to accommodate the tree.

KendrickLamaze · 15/10/2022 17:34

DD 6 at the time got a dog for Christmas but we are dog people and a dog is for life so was more of a 2 birds situation.

If it's too soon, go as a birthday gift later.

KendrickLamaze · 15/10/2022 17:35

He was collected prior to Xmas day but all counted.

thankyouforthesun · 15/10/2022 22:19

I know someone who did a horse for Christmas. She had the pony on loan for her daughter who was about 8 and the daughter knew he wasn't hers and he would be going back to his owner, then on Christmas morning she went up to find him with a bow on his head collar (safely outside his stable) and a note saying happy Christmas I'm yours) and she was delighted.
The pony obviously didn't have any Christmas Day craziness to deal with, was an old hand, and had been loaned to the family for a few months so they knew he was a good fit.

Brigante9 · 15/10/2022 23:17

Glad you talked yourself out of it. Getting a pet at Christmas is a terrible idea, too noisy, busy, crazy time.

leccybill · 15/10/2022 23:20

We got a DD (then 10yo) a puppy for Christmas. Well, we actually picked her up on the 20th. Christmas is a pretty calm, lowkey affair in our house.
Every day has been like Christmas since then, best thing we ever did.

HighlandPony · 15/10/2022 23:30

We’ve done it before. Eldest got a ferret for Christmas. I just got my dad to keep it with his till Christmas Eve night. Same with the axolotls but my friend kept them till Christmas Day. I got my first pony for Christmas as a kid too. My grandad took me over to the field where the big work horses were and there was this wee Sheltie with a big bow round it’s neck. Not really a pet cat person so dunno how you’d manage a cat tbh

user1471538283 · 16/10/2022 08:12

I do not agree with pets as presents. We adopted one of our cats close to my DSs birthday but I made sure he knew that the cat was not a present.

I would not get a pet close to Christmas and I think rescue centres close. But you could do it a few weeks before or after?

YesitsBess · 16/10/2022 08:13

notputtingtheheatingon · 15/10/2022 17:21

Very much agree with this. Cat voucher!

Dinoteeth · 16/10/2022 08:21

Voucher from Santa.

Santa can't deliver live animals, they'd get far too cold coming from the North Pole on the sleigh, and its an issue if they need the toilet (Santa sometimes used peoples downstairs loo)🤓

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 16/10/2022 08:50

Not a good idea, have you ever tried wrapping up a kitten? Absolute nightmare and if you do manage it the constant mewing and rustling of paper for days before Christmas whilst is under the tree is a bit of a give away.

I certainly won't be doing it again! 😾

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