Over all, I don’t think it’s a great idea to give children puppies or kittens for holiday gifts. Think how disturbing it would be for a baby animal to come into the chaos of a Christmas morning! They’ve just been taken from the warmth and security of their mother, hardship enough for that little one.

Wait until the excitement of the holiday season has calmed down to introduce a new animal into your home. Even adult dogs and cats can become disoriented by the confusion and bluster that goes with this exciting time of year. And a child who is still enthralled by his newest electronic gadgets is less likely to pay attention to a new dog or cat.

So unless you want to be the prime caretaker and foster parent to a new dog or cat on top of entertaining, cooking and so forth, wait a couple months!