Anyone bought any unusual gifts?

[lucysmam]

Dd2 (almost 11yo) already has her main present...an orchid mantis named Errol. Fascinating (if slightly brutal) little creature. Even dd1, who doesn't like creepy crawlies, has been caught "checking on the bug"

It made me wonder, has anyone else bought anything unusual this year?

My dd had a mantis last year (giant Asian), they are really interesting, we loved watching him grow but was sad when he got his wings and then reached the end of his life, he’s now buried down the garden. We now have giant millipedes . I don’t really agree with buying pets for Christmas but bugs are totally different 🤣

that is really cool!! i cant say ive bought anything unusual this year, its a pretty boring year this year!

Lovemusic a giant asian was her next choice if I couldn't find an orchid in stock anywhere - they seem really popular so I thought I'd best buy it when I saw it in stock. Not sure giant millipedes appeal in the same way.

OneNightTimeMenace it is quite cool. I made her do lots of research too before I agreed to it.

Dd still keeps asking for a orchid but we have way too many pets at the moment so I have refused 🤣, she’s already had the millipedes and a new python this year. We did research before getting the millipedes but we seemed to have missed the bit that says they live for 7+ years.

Oh, wow! That's actually quite impressive.

I suggested a gecko (my friend's is very sweet) but she was dead set on the mantis. I'm not sure I fancy snakes so we visit my friend's "zoo" to see those atm.

That is gorgeous. Never really considered insects as pets (my 9yo would love a snake, but two grandparents with phobias)

The strangest present I've ever bought was a 1m tall wooden giraffe. He's called Geoff and still lives in my parents Sunroom, and has a little brother called Georg now. They decorate them at Christmas.

@lucysmam

Oh, wow! That's actually quite impressive.

I suggested a gecko (my friend's is very sweet) but she was dead set on the mantis. I'm not sure I fancy snakes so we visit my friend's "zoo" to see those atm.

This time last year we just had the mantis and one snake, we now have millipedes, giant snails, 2 pythons and a corn snake. Dd would have many more but I keep reminding her that when she goes to uni I will be the one left looking after them. The good thing about reptiles and bugs are you can leave them for a few days if you go away on holiday, they are pretty low maintenance unlike a cat or dog 😂. The one thing I refuse to add to our collection is a spider 🤣.

Dd wanted another python for Christmas but we won’t be getting another so no pet presents this year.

Ooh no, there won't be any spiders...she can get her fix of those via youtube 🤣🕷