So it seems we’re headlong into the Christmas shopping period and I’m already way behind. Why can’t I be that woman who has all the Christmas shopping sorted by October and then just has to spend November and December weaving holly wreaths and hand making cards?

The Boy Wonder has this year decided absolutely that Father Christmas doesn’t exist. He’s also decided that he believes in the Big Bang Theory and Jesus was a hoax, but that’s a whole other blog post. I’m refusing to qualify the Boy Wonder’s claims until we watch the Polar Express – I’m wondering if it’s still possible to pull him back from the brink like we did last year.

It seems to be the year of the pet in our household. We already have a dog and now the Boy Wonder wants a bearded dragon – I have done a little bit of research into this and I’m thinking that keeping a reptile alive will be beyond us and our ‘pet maintenance budget’. No, we don’t really have a pet maintenance budget, we have an overdraft like normal people and that overdraft doesn’t extend to a vivarium and heating lamps and live mice or whatever these things eat.

The 5yo is being eminently sensible and bypassing all things living for Barbie dolls. I can live with this purely on the basis that they aren’t Bratz and we’ve got time to save up for her counselling for future body issues.

The 4yo is the real animal lover in the household. She’s lowered her expectations slightly – this time last month she wanted a new baby – and has fallen in love with the idea of a guinea pig. We even went looking at guinea pigs and I had to carry a sobbing 4yo out of the shop when she realised that she wasn’t getting one ‘NOW!’. I’m assured that Guinea Pigs are pretty low maintenance, but where do you keep one? She has a pretty small bedroom so that’s not really an option, and the ground floor is the dog’s domain. Can you keep a Guinea Pig outdoors all the time?

All of these issues and more were discussed at the weekend as we settled down to watch Night at The Museum. In typical 4yo fashion we made it about halfway through before she got bored and tried to return to the Christmas list question. Fixing me with a serious gaze she told me:

“It’s ok mummy I don’t want a Guinea Pig any more.”

*phew*

“But, can I have a monkey please?”

The Christmas List agony….
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18 thoughts on “The Christmas List agony….

  • November 16, 2010 at 3:58 am
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    I’m pretty sure pet monkeys are illegal in the UK, you could always invoke the old “mum will go to prison” chestnut. If not you’re in trouble. Oh and on the small rodent question, our dog once ate one of those. My father said “I told you he would”.

  • November 16, 2010 at 8:37 am
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    My eldest, think he is the same age as Boy Wonder, still seems to believe but he hasn’t a clue what he wants and is very upset by that. We blitzed the shopping at the weekend,thanks to my parents, so now I have to convince him to ask for the things I bought 😀 Luckily there are no live animals up in our attic (with the other gifts!! not mice). Good luck with Boy Wonder. Jen

  • November 16, 2010 at 10:04 am
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    We are running the ‘real hamster’ gauntlet this year.

    She wants a guinea pig or a rabbit, I said no because they live outside for most of the year and we’ll forget to feed it if it’s out of sight.

    She’s coming round to the idea. The Husband keeps chuntering about smelly little rodents which isn’t helping.

  • November 16, 2010 at 10:07 am
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    I always intend to be organised and then I’m not. It happens somehow! 2 of mine are now non-believers and both found out by accident (for that read ‘parental irresponsibility’), I think they knew already but didn’t want to give up on the magic. They are now heavily involved in creating the magic for numbers 3 and 4 which is very lovely indeed!

    As far as pets go…rodents? Bleurgh. A monkey used to live in our house when it was a pub. We have cats, they don’t take much looking after and keep my feet warm in the evening!

  • November 16, 2010 at 11:07 am
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    I’m still in denial that Christmas is happening anytime soon… really you know its like ages away

  • November 16, 2010 at 4:30 pm
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    Did you realise there are people on Twitter this week that have mentioned they are wrapping presents! I find this truly shocking.
    I’m pretty sure my nieces keep their guinea pigs outside all year. Maybe some kind of covering overnight.

  • November 17, 2010 at 6:29 pm
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    A monkey?? How about one of those Fur Real toys? We palmed ED
    off with a cat one of those when she was 5. This summer (7 years later) she spray painted said toy cat black & purple for her Alice in Wonderland exhibit at local Art Gallery. Now a real cat would NEVER have handled that! 😉

    MDxx

    Or you could be like me & do some homemade gifts for Xmas for family & friends? My Kids have the fear that they will only get chutney & chilli jam this year….the power, I love it!

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  • November 21, 2010 at 8:40 am
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    Success! We’re going for the ‘not real’ guinea pig *phew* x

  • November 21, 2010 at 8:41 am
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    Thanks hon. We watched the Polar Express yesterday and he’s written a Christmas list – I think he’s hedging his bets but it’s better than completely not believing – maybe we’ll get one more year out of him… x

  • November 21, 2010 at 8:42 am
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    I’ve been recommended gerbils instead of hamsters – but really don’t want either. What’s wrong with a fish?! x

  • November 21, 2010 at 8:42 am
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    A monkey used to live in your house? Obviously I need to know more about this story Chris…. x

  • November 21, 2010 at 8:43 am
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    As I’m sure I’ve already said – it’s months away, months I tell you! x

  • November 21, 2010 at 8:44 am
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    The Polar Express does indeed possess magical qualities – watched it yesterday and he’s less cynical already. Love it that all of yours still believe… x

  • November 21, 2010 at 8:45 am
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    WHAT?!?! That’s surely illegal? … the present wrapping, not the guinea pigs, obv… x

  • November 25, 2010 at 3:29 pm
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    Love it!
    In my house they are straight down to business. D wants “lots of” money, an xbox game & two super dry tops. G wants an ipod docking station and chocolate fountain. E wants “toys”. Of course H wants a car! Ha no chance.
    But of course nobody has asked me what I want….
    And yes guinea pigs can live outside. I’ve got an old hutch if you want it.

  • December 2, 2010 at 11:33 am
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    Snort, count yourself lucky…my 5yo wants an elephant…

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