Fun ways of telling daughter her gift is a puppy.

[Skippersocks]

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?

Boots and a waterproof coat. Watch her cringing over the practicality and 'ugly' present then make her try it on and watch her face as she puts her hands in the pockets and finds a dog lead
Brilliant

Also loving the coat idea and the voucher - she can then spend time picking where the crate goes/ bed goes and food bowls so everything is ready. We bought a really good dlk book which would mean she was ready for the onslaught!

Beautifully co-ordinated with your stair carpet Quokka

And getting more handsome by the minute!

I received a puppy as a Christmas present when I was 11. It was the best present ever. He was my dog until his death when I was 22. There wasn't any bullshit about "Oh, the dog is a family present". I think your dd will be thrilled. Hope they have many happy years together.

How did she react?

Giving a pet as a present to someone who is desperate for one and you know is able and willing to look after it is the best present. I hope your DD was as ecstatic as I was when DH gave me two Pygmy goats today (not the actual goats of course, we have to sort out their enclosure, house, toys, etc and wait for them to be born and be ready to leave their mum).

At the age of three, I received a tiny black kitten in a huge hessian sack for Xmas from my grandfather. I remember it being the best gift ever. That cat lived 22years.

Of course it was a gift, it cost money. But also it wasn't just bought willy nilly, it was discussed with my parents first, bought when we moved into a large house rather than tiny flat, and all the nessecary stuff was also bought in advance.

How did it go op?