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Original poster

pets for Christmas?

25 replies

hatwoman · 15/10/2006 21:00

for some time now dh and I have been thinking long and hard about new pets. having finally decided on getting 2 cats we suddenly realised today that it would be really lovely for dds if they arrived as Christmas "presents". I wondered if anyone has done this and how it has worked logistically. Were you able to pick them up on Christmas Eve? Or did you have to tell the dcs on Christmas day and pick them up another time? Also is Christmas Day really bad timing for kittens - from their pov - to put in their first appearance? On the one hand it could be lovely for dds but is it, in actual fact a bad idea? (and no lectures about cats being for life; we know, we;ve has cats before and, have been thinking this over for ages - we'll get the cats anyway iyswim - christmas is an after thought. )

OP posts:

wannaBe1974 · 15/10/2006 22:28

personally I disagree with giving animals as presents. Especially if you have young children I think that the excitement of having a kitten for christmas could be very overwhelming especially for the kitten. I would just get the kittens some other time, but obviously just my opinion

wannaBe1974 · 15/10/2006 22:28

SoMuchToBats · 15/10/2006 22:31

I would get them at another time. Christmas is just so exciting and different from normal. It would be much easier to settle them in to family life at a more normal time of year IYSWIM>

Tattie100 · 15/10/2006 22:38

I don't think I would give a pet as Christmas present, just because it is such a busy exciting time and it could be a bit overwhelming for everyone (cats especially). You obviously are not doing this on a whim, though, and you know the responsibility involved etc - maybe you could give your children some age-appropriate books on looking after cats on Christmas with a promise (in a note or card) of a post-Christmas trip to select the pets as a family? Have it organised for some time in Jan in advance so that pestering can be avoided . I remember going with my parents to choose a long-discussed and planned for puppy and it was sooo exciting - she was a loved family pet until she died when I was in my twenties. Have fun!

ilovecaboose · 15/10/2006 22:41

agree with others - pets should not be given as presents.

Discuss the idea of getting kittens and get them prepared for it. Let them know what the responsibilty of having a pet is. Also as others have said all the excitement of christmas would not be good thing to bring kittens into.

Very exciting getting new pet though

bottomburp · 15/10/2006 22:46

christmas not good time to get a pet IMO because so different to normal life, people in and out, noisy, over excitement (and thats just the parents), tree etc etc.how about that dreary week after christmas?

Original poster

hatwoman · 15/10/2006 22:48

tbh - they wouldn't really be dds'. they're not old enough to be responsible for them - we're under no illusions there. I guess that begs the question as to why get them for christmas. In a sense I didn;t really think of it in terms of the cats being a present from me and dh to the girls. The present would be getting the cats, not the cats themselves. if that makes sense. we had cats until about a year ago. and dds have been hassling us to get another. (as well as a dog...)

OP posts:

SoMuchToBats · 15/10/2006 22:49

Perhaps get some accessories (e.g. feeding bowls, collars etc) for Christmas, and get the cats a bit before or after. And yes, you can call me batwoman if you like, although I'm usually SoMuchToBits ( Bats is Hallowe'en name), so perhaps I should be Bitwoman

Original poster

hatwoman · 15/10/2006 22:50

maybe that's a good idea bottomburp - we could get them cuddly cats on Christmas day and perhaps a photo and then get the real things a few days later when things have calmed down a bit.

OP posts:

2shoescreepingthroughblood · 15/10/2006 22:50

if you are getting a cat get one but not at christmas.
all animal welfare groups advise against it. think it is due to the exciment at christmas and it not being the best time to settle a new animal in.

Original poster

hatwoman · 15/10/2006 22:51

good idea bitwoman.

OP posts:

SoMuchToBats · 15/10/2006 22:51

cod · 15/10/2006 22:53

Message withdrawn

FreakyFloss · 15/10/2006 22:55

I think the issue is of 'giving' an animal. an animal should be regarded as an addition to the family and not a belonging to be possessed [recalls ds carrying kitten around insessently much like one of his toys despite this with kitten crying pityingly].

Original poster

hatwoman · 15/10/2006 22:58

ff - as per my 10.48 post - i agree

OP posts:

handlemecarefully · 15/10/2006 23:16

Oh bunkum! - the advice about not getting pets as presents and not for Christmas is aimed at the dullards of this world who might get one on a mad impulse and are ill informed about the responsibilities involved.

Hatwoman is a responsible former cat owning parent.

Get a frickin cat for Christmas hatwoman and to hell with it

handlemecarefully · 15/10/2006 23:17

Of course I can well see how the excitement of a turkey roast dinner and the Queen's speech might be a bit too much for little Tiddles to take on board

FredBassett · 15/10/2006 23:21

I bought myself 2 kittens for christmas after DH finally saying I could, no animal shelters were looking to rehome up to Christmas - this could be a nationwide policy but I'm not sure. I ended up getting the trade it newspaper and driving 50 miles to West Brom to get my two. They slept most of Christmas Day

Tattie100 · 15/10/2006 23:22

lol handle.

yeah, I know i sound a bit precious, but was thinking about message of pets as presents for little kids (most in my experience are used to opening the present, squealing with excitement about quickly discared toy and then playing with the box for 2 weeks) maybe better to give message that pet is additional family member from the outset and something separate from the under the tree/stocking variety of toy? Any thoughts?

Tattie100 · 15/10/2006 23:22

meant "discarded toy"

handlemecarefully · 15/10/2006 23:26

Tattie - I do see what you mean, but I think that as long as the children have it impressed upon them that their new pet should be treated with respect / loved / cared for properly... that this can be managed

Tattie100 · 15/10/2006 23:30

yeah, you're probably right - just couldn't handle a new pet at christmas myself - but my house if full of in-laws, sister, great-granny DS, hubby and a few strays (people I mean)- BTW have a dog - v. planned for, but got it around my birthday 4 years ago. Guess I'm a hypocrite

handlemecarefully · 15/10/2006 23:38

It does sound like there is a lot of festive cheer at your place ....we only have a house of 6 adults and 2 children....

Joannie2 · 16/10/2006 19:08

I'd wait till after Christmas. 2 kittens + Christmas tree = mayhem . Also do you really want to be cleaning up cat shit while you are stuffing the turkey

I would also never buy from someone that has planned breeding pets to target the Christmas market. These people are more often than not just in it for the money with no regard for the health and temperament for the parents (this is more generally the case with puppies than kittens).

sullysmum · 17/10/2006 17:02

I like the idea of giving little 'cat' pressies first, like collars,bowls,toys etc then a real kitten a week or two later.

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