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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Fun ways of telling daughter her gift is a puppy.

108 replies

Skippersocks · 08/12/2016 12:36

We have been waiting for years to get a puppy and at last the time is right. We have found the right breed and breeder for us and will be bringing the pup home at the end of January.
On Christmas day, my daughter will be completely over joyed just to know we are getting a puppy. However, in the absence of the actual puppy, I would like a fun/exciting way for her to discover what her gift is. I have thought of a picture in a frame or a box of dog toys, but I would like to do something a bit more cryptic - she is 12.
Does anyone have any good ideas?

OP posts:

Sukitakeitoff · 09/12/2016 04:07

If we told our kids on Christmas day that we were getting a dog, cat, or any pet for that matter, it would be the best present they could possibly imagine. And they're a lot younger than 12.

MelchettsTinslyMoustache · 09/12/2016 07:29

Perhaps opinion depends on how badly each poster would have wanted a puppy/ kitten/ hamster at that age.
Personally I would genuinely not have wanted or needed any other gifts if I had a surprise like that, such would be my joy. My DB OTOH would be horrified at the idea of a dog in the house that as his main present.
And surely we're not imaging that OP's DD will get a voucher and a dog book and not a stick more?

neonrainbow · 09/12/2016 07:39

Good what a bunch of joyless miserable fuckers some of you are. The problem with getting puppies at christmas time is if they aren't planned for, and that settling a puppy in at christmas is not fair to the dog. This dog has been planned for, the whole family wants it and the dd will be over the moon. Just cheer the fuck up!

Op im surprised you haven't been told you should rescue a dog. And to the poster with the rats as presents, youre safe...mn doesn't get frothy over rats.. just dogs!

Greenglassforvino · 09/12/2016 09:20

I like the fake dog poo idea..

Reality16 · 09/12/2016 09:45

Good what a bunch of joyless miserable fuckers not half as miserable as giving your kid a family pet for Christmas.

neonrainbow · 09/12/2016 09:52

Well the child isn't actually getting a dog for christmas is she? The family are getting a dog in January.

If the mumsnet dog people had their way nobody would ever get a dog.

GizmoFrisby · 09/12/2016 10:10

Op we got a dog 2 Christmas'a ago. We collected him on Christmas Eve and did our research like you. We wouldn't change him for the world. Yes he was expensive (shitzu x Lhasa apso) but the sheer joy on my ds face was something il always remember. He feeds him every day. Walks him every day. And dog waits for him every morning at the stair gate to get up. He lays on his bed with him watching films for hours and they are best buddies. Enjoy your puppy op. Obviously I'm no help at all but wanted to give u a bit of positivity

Reality16 · 09/12/2016 10:12

Well the child isn't actually getting a dog for christmas is she? The family are getting a dog in January.. That is exactly my point. The child isn't getting a dog for Christmas, so the OP shouldn't use the dog as a Christmas present. The dog is a family dog in January so should be completely separate from Christmas

ElfingHeck · 09/12/2016 10:14

For a child like OP's DD who desperately wants a pet, it's not a cop out. It's the most exciting thing in the world, and much better than Lego or clothes or whatever. For my DC1, this present would be a cop out, for my DC2 it would be the most wonderful present imaginable. I think we should trust OP to know which type her own DD is!

sparechange · 09/12/2016 10:19

THEY are getting an expensive dog. The DD's presents won't be plentiful because of that. Of course it's a bloody cop out. Get the kid some proper presents and leave the family dog out of it.

WTF?! So a present that has the potential to be enjoyed by more than the recipient is a cop out present?
There is no present I would have wanted more at that age than a dog. When I got mine as a teen, it was a joint birthday and Christmas present for the year, in acknowledgement of how expensive and special it was.

What on earth is a 'proper' present if it isn't something much wanted by OPs DD?
Not everyone wants piles and piles of poundshop tat to unwrap

greenfolder · 09/12/2016 10:21

You sound like a lovely mum. Im sure DD will mark this year down as the Christmas she will always remember. Love the lead in the pocket. I seem to have something in my eye

Chelazla · 09/12/2016 10:28

I don't think it's a cop out at all! My 3 and 4 year old were desperate for rabbits which I knew I would end up cleaning out, cost a fortune etc! We got them and they called it the best present ever! Of course they are family pets but they see them as there's and would have been more than happy to have them as a crimbo pressie! They adore the rabbits and the dog! I thinks pets make children kind and considerate in a loving family home. The dog will be a family pet but your dd will get the real joy!

IrianOfW · 09/12/2016 10:36

It sound amazing. I think your house is going to be a very happy place on Christmas day xx Could you visit the breeder on or near to Boxing Day to let meet the pup?

Re ratty books - Maurice and his amazing educated rodents by Terry Pratchett is brilliant! (I think that's the title?). We had rats for years - first ones were DS1's christmas present - lovely little beasts. Sadly I developed a massive allergic reaction after a few years so when the last ones died we didn't replace

confusedandemployed · 09/12/2016 11:09

Fuck me I'm glad I didn't griw up with a mother like some of you joyless witches.

I remember the year I was presented with a blurry Polaroid photo of our new puppy as the absolute best Christmas ever. DDog was the light of my childhood and I was utterly, utterly overjoyed when I realised what that Polaroid showed.

Funnily enough I didn't think to ask where my real presents were

OP I can't wait for the update to this thread when your DD realised!

IHeartKingThistle · 09/12/2016 12:07

Ooh irian I'd forgotten about Amazing Maurice! Two birds with one stone there as I'd been wondering how to encourageforce DD to discover Pratchett!

LumelaMme · 09/12/2016 12:34

Kitty yes but the OP won't even HAVE the puppy to give! And not for a month either! Its a bit lame if you ask me...calling that a Christmas present.
Bloody hell, if my parents had given me a postcard one Christmas saying, 'You're getting a puppy in a month' it would have gone down as the best Christmas ever.

Some posters need to cheer up and accept that not every child will feel hard done by because they didn't get a 'real' present.

OP, I hope your DD and all the rest of you enjoy the dog for many happy years.

MelchettsTinslyMoustache · 09/12/2016 14:56

For comparison sake, my DP's bought DS a driving experience at Donnington Park one year. He was only 11 and is a huge petrolhead so was thrilled and hugely over excited by it, even though we didn't hop in the car and head to Donnington on Christmas morning. I highly doubt my DM would have been flamed alive like the OP has, if she had come on here and asked for fun ways to present her DGS's gift that was six months in the future.
DH and I did endure six months of wittering about the merits of Ferrari vs Lamborghini in the meantime though

OP, will you please come back and tell us how it went?

CrazyGreyhoundLady · 09/12/2016 15:11

Read your title and was horrified until I read the thread. What a lovely idea!!! Glad everything has been researched and over the moon for your DD this would have been my dream as a kid even if I had to wait till the pup came home!

Have to say aswell the idea of a lead in the coat pocket is brilliant. Have a fantastic Christmas OP! Can't wait for the update. pupdate?

Flingmoo · 09/12/2016 15:12

OP never said the dog is her daughter's only Christmas present. Besides, even if she got her a million awesome presents, if DD wants a family dog more than anything else in the world, then in her mind it's going to be her main gift regardless of whether OP intends it to be or not! So she might as well make it a special and exciting moment. My parents bought a puppy when I was 15 and I wasn't expecting it at all until the day I came back from my babysitting job and saw a puppy in our living room! I'd never even felt any interest in getting a dog before but I can honestly say that moment was one of the happiest memories of my life. I don't care whether it was "my dog" or "the family dog" - it was an amazing thing to come home to, I cried with joy, and 11 years later that dog is still well-loved and happy. I'm sure this will be a magical Christmas surprise for your DD even though the dog isn't arriving yet.

Also, a family dog can still feel like "my dog" to a child/teenager - My mum took me along to dog training classes but I was the one who did all the training. Which gave me a great sense of achievement and I built a special bond with the puppy. It can actually be a really rewarding hobby for a teenager especially if you do agility as well

Ceaser1981 · 09/12/2016 16:44

Scavenger hunt for sure with clues and things you will use for the pup, maybe a name book,lead, toy, collar, blanket so your daughter can snuggle then pass to your breeder to have your pup get used to you scent before it comes home? Ud recomnend a teddy throw from dubelm my dog loves his

Ceaser1981 · 09/12/2016 16:53

Ps if it were me i would puke with excitement at getting a puppy and wouldnt give a toss about other pressies

Quokka12 · 09/12/2016 17:13

This is our family cams present he came a little early to 6 year old dd. Good luck op!

Fun ways of telling daughter her gift is a puppy.

Quokka12 · 09/12/2016 17:13

Xmas even

3luckystars · 09/12/2016 17:42

Oh! He is absolutely locely!

3luckystars · 09/12/2016 17:43

LOVELY. I wrote lovely! Oh congratulations on your new little puppy.

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