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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sister told me to buy a Christmas present for her cat?! Wwyd?

275 replies

Bear18 · 18/12/2018 23:48

Two years ago my sister bought a cat. Her husband works shifts and she said it would be lovely to get a cat to keep her company, I thought nice idea.... the first year she had the cat I said sis what would you like for Christmas, got any ideas?! Sister says oh don’t worry about me just buy for my cat, I thought she was joking, but no she was serious. I asked again for any ideas as I do find her hard to buy for, it’s better to ask. Anyway she gave me some ideas then later on she said ‘your buying for my cat right?’ i say eh? You want me to buy for your cat and she said well yeah she’s my baby blah blah.

So I thought, bite the bullet just get her cat something, it will make her happy, so I did.

Now this year I have been asked to buy for her cat again.....

Every time I catch up there’s always a story about the cat. When my dd plays with the cat she always get told off by my sister, dd don’t do that, don’t sing too loud, don’t move too quick it will startle the cat. I have caught my sister shouting at my dd over the cat!!!! - tbh it’s doing my head in. My dd is good with pets and is very gentle with the cat, she doesn’t need to be constantly told off.

I can tell she is a bit obsessed with the cat. I don’t have pets so I don’t get it. But would you ask someone to buy for your pet??

I have a list of what the cat likes and doesn’t like.... I have spent half hr on amazon .... then logged out and thought I have too much sh&t to do...... plus I feel petty because of the way she snaps at dd.

Do I give in and buy the cat something??? Wwyd ???

OP posts:
unicorncheese · 20/12/2018 22:53

I buy for the cat every year, she joins in with cards, and she’s apart of the family. Wouldn’t have it any other way!

Marshmallow91 · 20/12/2018 23:17

If she buys for your daughter, then its only fair? Otherwise she can buy her own stuff. My dog is just as much a member of my family as anyone else

Saracen · 21/12/2018 00:26

You say that you find your sister hard to buy for. So you asked her what she wanted. She told you what she wanted. But you don't want to buy it for her. I don't understand why.

A cat toy is not expensive or difficult to find.

One of my relatives always wants cat toys these days. I am delighted. She is now the easiest person in the family to shop for.

jessstan2 · 21/12/2018 02:28

You can buy some smashing pet presents. I've had gifts bought for my cat by neighbours, they are lovely! The presents, not the neighbours - though they are nice too :-).

Yes, some people are obsessed with their pets. I would say my husband is more than I though I love them very much but sometimes he phones up from work and asks how they are.

They are not getting any Christmas presents from me this year, I've told them I will donate what I might have spent to the Chester Zoo fund.

flyingspaghettimonster · 21/12/2018 02:37

If she buys your daughter a gift, and wants one for her cat, i think that is fair. I bouggt a gift for my sisters dog before she had a kid.

MrsStrowman · 21/12/2018 04:00

Between us PIL, my parents and DB/SIL we all buy a little token gift for the various dogs/our cat even though there are three young DCs in that group. Pets are part of the family to all of us. You can usually get a nice little gift for a couple of pounds. Can I suggest a dreamies snacky mouse or the current festive snacky snowman for the cat? It's a little toy you put treats in and the cat has to work/play with it to get them out. I think snacky mouse was £2 and a bag of dreamies £1 and it'll make your sister very happy. We got the dreamies selection box with multiple bags of dreamies and the new snowman for £5 in Wilko for our cat for this year, as he already has and loves the mouse. Ours might also have a fish shaped Christmas stocking and gets a special organic Christmas dinner for cats, he was my baby long before I had a baby.....

Auntiepatricia · 21/12/2018 04:04

Please oh please buy this cat some outfits! There must be a cat fancy dress maker somewhere! I’m thinking Winston Churchill, Willy wonka, Alice in wonderland. You’d never run out of ideas.

I know this is annoying op but when you’re buying for the cat you’re really buying for your dsis. Does that make it more palatable?

Cherries101 · 21/12/2018 04:09

She’s asking you to buy for her cat instead of her, not declaring war. OP needs to put her big girl panties on, take her dd to the shops, and get the little girl involved in buying for the cat so the gift can be from her.

Bear18 · 21/12/2018 06:34

Cherries have you read the thread?? Put my big girl panties on 🤣 ha! Just to fill you in, I have already bought the toy ......

OP posts:
HeavyLoad · 21/12/2018 06:55

I loved this post OP 😂😂😂

I really want to meet your sister. I am very intrigued.

I wouldn't even give someone a list for my DCs let alone my non-existent pet. Only if someone asks me what they need will I respond, usually with 'they have enough stuff!'.

Tbf, if my sister had a cat, I would prob buy it a present but more as a joke and she would never ask for anything. I usually buy her something cat-themed anyway because she loves cats but she can't have one in her flat.

Anyone got any gift suggestions for a catless cat-lover? 😂

maddiemookins16mum · 21/12/2018 07:00

I wrapped the cats stinky sardines cat nip toy last night 🤗🤗.
It’s really quite harmless Op, get some of the Stinky Sardine cat nip toys off of Amazon (and some Weebox treat sticks), job done.

anniehm · 21/12/2018 07:10

Just buy a dreamies selection pack - and something for your sister. Pets, well dogs at least do understand gifts, mine sits patiently waiting in the for his as we take it in turns to hand out gifts, he's already been staking out the presents under the tree (he doesn't touch them but gives it all a good sniff and you could see he expression change when he sniffed the dog stocking!)

ClaryFray · 21/12/2018 07:23

Has she got children? Is there an issue there making her baby the cat? She isn't hurting anyone, and cats toys are fairly cheep. But for the cat and be done with it.

Chewinggumwalk · 21/12/2018 07:28

I see OP has bought a toy now, but for future or anyone else needing to buy a cat a Christmas present, maybe a small donation to a local cats’ home (food or money or toys)? Not trying to sound like a virtue signaller, I just thought maybe a cat lover would appreciate it Smile

Cheerbear23 · 21/12/2018 07:34

Ha ha, I’m acat lover but this is bat shit.
Cats love to sit on things that you are using at that particular moment in time, ie a magazine, a newspaper or even better getting into a cardboard box. Get one of those items, the 🐈 will love it!

Raven88 · 21/12/2018 07:36

I bought all the pets a present this year, but I would never say buy for the cat. I even bought a present for my sisters cat who hates everyone. My mum and one of my grannies do this so I thought it was normal. Xmas Grin

Iamtheoneandonly2018 · 21/12/2018 07:38

My cat loves wine! And chocolate! If anyone wants to buy for mine?

codenameduchess · 21/12/2018 07:58

I always buy for pets... I'm currently growing cat grass in secret so I don't ruin the surprise for my cats on Christmas Day 😂

My mums dog has a little gift baggy with his presents, loosely wrapped with plenty of paper as he loves to shred it and my brothers cats have treats and toys. They will have got my cats a little something too - although no one has given lists!

Pets are part of the family and we all love them so why not include them, granted the cats don't really give a shit but the dog gets so excited about the paper and then is forced to play with DD and her new toys it seems right to include him.

There could be any number of things going on that your sister has sought comfort in her cat that you don't know about as PPs have said.... but also she obviously loves the cat. (And did I read it's a main coon?! Good god they are freaking cute!)

Soopertooter · 21/12/2018 07:58

If your sister buys a gift for your dd then i think you should reciprocate with getting something for the cat. It's obviously very dear to her

RickOShay · 21/12/2018 08:06

My dog gets my sister’s dog a little something. She loves him with all her heart and sent him a beautiful Valentine’s card this year.

It gives my sister and I a huge amount of joy.

Bear18 · 21/12/2018 09:07

I have picked up quite a bit from this thread, as sister doesn’t have kids maybe she is treating it like her ‘baby’ I can see why she is pretty obsessed with that cat. Never saw it from that angle .....

OP posts:
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 21/12/2018 09:22

Awwww Get him a little kitten, so He can have an annoying sibling. WinkGrin

BarbaraofSevillle · 21/12/2018 09:26

Aww We did that for our cats last year.

She was a fostered kitten who had been with us for about six months and become great friends with both our older cats and because she was a shy little thing, she didn't do very well at saying hello to prospective adopters when they came to meet her, so we decided that the best thing all round was to adopt her ourselves Grin. A year on, the three of them are very happy together.

codenameduchess · 21/12/2018 09:33

@RickOShay do the dogs carry the cards and gifts to each other? Because that's what I'm picturing and I love it!

Elfinablender · 21/12/2018 09:37

I think it was sweet of you to get the cat a gift.

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