For many children, and some adults, a new pet is at the top of their Christmas wishlist. Since children will be on school vacation during the holiday, and many parents will have at least a few days off from work as well, Christmas is a great time to introduce a new pet to the family. However, there’s one major difference between a new pet and other Christmas presents: pets are alive!
So, for parents who want to make sure that their child’s new pet is a surprise, there’s one major question: how in the world do you wrap a cat for Christmas, (or a dog)?
One Australian woman, Anne Holden, went viral in 2017 for her instructional video on the subject, though her suggestions are a lot more humorous than helpful.
As adorable as Anne’s cat might look all bundled up in wrapping paper with a shiny bow on top of his head, most cats will not take so kindly to being wrapped this way, especially if it lasts for longer than a minute or two.
However, here are three other options to wrap a cat that will leave both feline and family in a joyful holiday mood!
1. Poking holes in a box
This is the most classic method of giving a new pet for Christmas. Simply put the animal in a box and make sure that they are able to get enough air by poking plenty of holes in the box. Be sure not to cover any of them with wrapping paper or ribbon!
However, there are some major downsides to this method. A young kitten or puppy will likely already be feeling anxious about a new situation and be afraid of the box. One way to avoid this is to make sure the box gives them more than enough room to move around and leave a few toys and a blanket inside with them.
They might also chew on the box or relieve themselves inside it. If you decide to go with this method, do a test run to make sure that the animal is physically and mentally comfortable with being in the box, and never leave them in the box for more than a few minutes at a time.
2. Tying a ribbon
This is an option that is much more likely to be a pleasant experience for the animal, which should always be the priority when giving an animal as a gift. Simply tie or attach a festive bow to the cat or dog’s collar, and you are ready to go!
The downside to this method is that the recipient might not be quite as surprised if their new pet is simply waiting under the tree, but this can be dealt with by bringing in the animal as the last present of the day.
3. Giving a box of cat toys
The final option is the best of both worlds: it still involves the traditional excitement of unwrapping a shiny present while making sure that the new Christmas cat is safe and comfortable. Rather than wrapping the cat itself, put a few cat toys or treats in a box and present the gift to the soon-to-be pet owner.
After they open it and realize what’s about to happen, bring in their new cat and get ready to take plenty of pictures. This way, the new cat owner gets the joy of a new pet, while the cat gets to enjoy plenty of tasty treats.
No matter what, when giving an animal as a Christmas present, make sure that the new pet owner is fully equipped for an animal and ready to take on the new responsibility. Additionally, remember that a cat is a living creature who deserves to be treated with love and care. As long as you keep these things in mind, no matter how you wrap a cat, it’s sure to be a very merry Christmas!