To not get the children christmas presents this year and instead...

[pinkdolly]

Ok, so I know a pet is not just for christmas etc. But the girls are desperate for a pet. They have a cat but they want something else.
They will get lots of toys/gifts from our quite large family so if they dont get big prezzies from us they wont notice. I am thinking therefore of getting them token gifts for under the tree and instead pooling the money we would normally spend on them and buy a tortoise.

We cant really afford to buy the tortoise and christmas presents so I would buy this instead. But maybe not wait until christmas to get it and just sit them down and explain that this would be their main gift.

What do you think?

Do they actually want a tortoise or a would a cheapter pet do?

How old are they? Do you actually want a tortoise? What sort of garden do you have - they are v good at escaping....

Aren't tortoises asleep at Christmas?

Good idea if your dc's wouldn't miss the normal toys etc. But it may be a boring present - a hibernating pet :)

Get a book from the library about tortoises before you decide

Lol- Well you see they have made comments about rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs. But they have also seen tortoises in the pet stores and loved them. My youngest dd was allowed to hold one a few weeks back and she thought it was lovely.

I have to admit aswell, that I have always wanted one, so there is definately a bit of bias from me.

I have read up about keeping them and a few years back we baby sat a tortoise for a bit so we know a but about keeping them.
My garden is well enclosed but has lots of mature trees and plants so lots of hiding place.

Also I would be looking at getting the tortoise sooner rather than closer to christmas. And young some young tortoises do not hibernate until they are a few years old and big enough to last the winter.

Good advice bigchris. Please don't get a tortoise. My neighbours (in their 80s) have several they have rehomed - tortoises live for decades, and do you really want a pet for the rest of your life because I guarantee the kids won't be carting it with them when they leave home!

YOu need a HIGH fence - tortoises can climb

how old are your dc? I think the validity of this plan depends on their actual understanding of 'instead of presents'

YABU - you should never ever ever give pets as christmas presents.

I think a tortoise is an excellent idea. It will be lovely for you to have something to look after when your children have left home.

As a tortoise owner I would say they may be disappointed even a young tortoise in winter is not very entertaining they slow down when it is cold, if you want to get one I would say early spring. Also they need a particular type of light the bulb can cost about £30 for heat and UV and ongoing use of electricity. If you go away it's a bit tricky to get someone to babysit as well . I would say to read up or ask if you have more questions

My girls are 8, 7 and 4. I wouldn't be buying it at christmas but would be using the money I would otherwise be saving for their christmas presents and buying it within the next month.

My girls are ever so good about presents. Last year we didn't have much moeny at all, so they got cheap presents from us and non of them complained. It made me realise how all the money we had spent on them on previous christmas's was more for our benefit and not theirs ( I mean we wanted to buy them the big expensive toy, when actually they were equally happy with smaller toys).

They have so much already, but desperatly want another pet.

I know how long tortoises can live also, I have read up on them, albeit a few years back when we were babysitting, so a refresh probably wouldn't go amiss.

YOu want a tortoise don't you?

I think a rabbit or guinea pig each would be as much fun for them and a lot easier to look after - have to keep the cat out of the way though!

I vote for guinea pigs!! They are fantastic (and easy) pets for dc.

Would consider getting them when all the Christmas festivities have died down though. They are very shy and timid for the first couple of weeks and you have to take it slowly. After that, they are pretty robust! Can thoroughly recommend.

I have a tortiose, shes 1 next month, shes a herman and wont hibernate for another year yet, shes fab, but she is the most boring pet in the world, all kids love all the pets in the pet shop, its all interesting for five minute bursts, my DD is nearly 2 and every day she fetches the tortoise food, unpromted, she loves her for a 2 minute window once a day. But shes ours not the kids so it doesnt matter.

Honestly think its a shit christmas present, and thats as an enthusiastic owner!

Piggies will be better for them, get them one eacj and a decent set up, would still be cheaper than a tortoise and proper set up any way and they get to engage withtheir pets more, and they dont last forever like the tortoise.

If you do get a tortoise, be responsible and put it in your will. You WILL die before she does and you need to think about that before you buy.

Guinea pigs for your DDs would be ideal. If you were to get three females they could live together and your girls could have one each.

I had a tortoise as a kid and I loved him (Timothy!) but he didn't actually 'do' anything. Your girls could groom and cuddle guinea pigs.

The best place for information about tortoise care is the tortoise trust website I find a lot of books in print about tortoise are often out of date with current care guidelines.

They can be very lovely pets but you do need specialist equipment to get started (uv lights for example) and good outside space with lots of tortoise friendly weeds. Also just take care which type of tortoise you get - some can get very very big. A breeder or tortoise specialist will always give you better advice than a pet shop.

Why dont you get them a bearded dragon instead? a bit more interesting !! I love tortois's btw!!

Choked on my coffee then shineon!

shine I would have to disagree! :) but then I am biaised.

Seriously though OP Google TOrtoise Trust. Marvellous site

I think they're quite characterful - but that's not really going to engage little girls. They want something fluffy! I think the op should go fluff for Christmas - the girls will be thrilled and then get a tortoise for her birthday......