Alfie’s Gift Guide
Alfie’s Gift Guide
What to Buy Your Cat this Christmas
It’s coming up to Christmas Day and I for one am very excited. There is so much I love about Christmas, from food, to the family being together, and not forgetting presents. Giving and receiving gifts isn’t just about being commercial, it’s also a way of showing love, so that means the gift doesn’t have to have cost a lot of money. As I always say, a hug is a gift.
However, just in case you do want to wrap a present for us cats to put under the Christmas tree - providing that it hasn’t been destroyed already by said cat of course - I, Alfie the Doorstep Cat have put together a list of ‘purrfect’ gifts to give to your beloved feline. And a list that will suit every budget.
Firstly for millionaire cat owners - now I don’t expect any of the below but I don’t want to discriminate against rich cats and their owners either.
Designer Cat Collar
Us cats like to look good, in fact we pride ourselves in always looking our best. So a designer cat collar would be a great finishing touch for any cool call. I am particularly keen on Gucci - very stylish and would look good on the cat-walk (get it!!) Gucci Pet Collar link
Cashmere blanket
I admit I am partial to cashmere, and I don’t have my own blanket, but my owner, Jonathan has a couple of cashmere jumpers which I nap on when I get the chance (basically when he’s out. I always get in trouble for this but that’s another story). Ava Innes does a cashmere and wool cat sleeping bag which I definitely have my eye on.
Personalised bed
You could have a bed made especially for your cat and there is quite a range of cat beds, but I like this Chester & Cooke personalised cat bed which is also a bargain for any millionaire at only £85. It’s good if you have more than one cat because it has names on it. Although, of course cats can’t read.
Portrait
Every grand cat should have their own portrait on the wall - a bit like in the olden days when kings would have really big paintings of themselves. In fact, you can have a portrait of your cat done as royalty. I am not sure who came up with that idea, but it seems appropriate. And it’s not as expensive as it could be - prices are from £29.99 but expect to pay around £89.99 for a framed, larger print. This cat approves this art work. Purr & Mutt pet potraits
For more sensible budgets, here are some suggestions for inspiration.
Cat scratching posts - There are such a variety that I’m not putting a link, but every cat loves a scratching post
New cat bed - that one is definitely on my Christmas list because I do love a comfy, cosy bed to sleep in.
Any soft blanket - don’t underestimate the love a cat has for a blanket and it doesn’t have to be cashmere
A new bowl. It’s always a tradition in my house to get a new bowl every Christmas and we love it, especially if it comes with pilchards.
Toys. I don’t personally play with toys but I wouldn’t criticise my fellow cats who do. There are some really fun toys available now as well. From toy mice to feathers, to bells and balls. Most cats enjoy such things. My son George has asked for a turntable scratching post because he likes to think he might be a cool DJ
A lovely collar. Not necessarily designer, a lot of cats, including my girlfriend Snowball likes a new collar, in order to make sure she always looks her best.
Food. My personal favourite. I love getting food at Christmas. Pilchards - have I mentioned them already - are my known favourite, but any treats, including left over turkey, or ham are very gratefully received.
Also, here's a tip which I am sure every cat owner knows - we do enjoy boxes that many gifts come in, so when empty that is kind of a present for us. And also, my grand kittens love playing with wrapping paper. And they don’t cost a thing!
My and my family and friends Christmas list because we are definitely on Santa’s good list.
Me: Pilchards, a blanket and peace and goodwill to tall
George: A DJ scratch turntable
Snowball - a pink sparkly collar
Dustbin - left over food from the restaurant (Dustbin is a very undemanding cat)
Hana - sleep (she’s a mum to kittens)
The Kittens: Holly - a soft toy to cuddle, Santa - a ball, Tiger - hunting lessons
Elvis - a television
Rocky - a new bed
Nellie - some new feathers to play with
Pickles the Pug - anything he can eat.
If your pet is used to being treated like royalty and you have a budget to support that, or if you just want to buy your cat something they will love and appreciate, we have you covered in my very own gift guide.
And I wish a Happy Christmas and new year to all the cats out there and their owners.
Now go shopping.
Love,
Alfie
The Capricorn Cat by Astrologer Jessica Adams
December 23rd - January 20th
The Capricorn cat is born between December 23rd and January 20th. If he or she arrives on the cusp, you can order a chart based on time and place of birth to see if this really is a Capricorn (or a Sagittarius, or Aquarius). You can also find out free at astro.com.
Most cats who are born or adopted from December 23rd to January 20th are easy to pick, though. They are solid, down-to-earth, grounded and have very steady feet on a wall. They do suit colder weather, which they are born into, so the Southern Hemisphere Capricorn cats tend to hibernate when it’s hot.
They are winter cats and get a fine winter coat to protect them, no matter which hemisphere they are born in. They are ambitious animals who will view rivals as a challenge. If there is a dog in the home they will want to be top dog even if they are the wrong species.
They will always jump up on the bed or scale the armchair or sofa, because they view you as the top people they want to be with. Capricorn cats prefer to be with humans and any scruffy stray who turns up will not be given the time of day.
They are workers and will try to help you in your work too. This beautiful illustration from 1897 (both illustrations from Picryl) shows the artist with his brush and ink bottles, being carefully watched by a tortoiseshell cat.
Capricorn creatures also like lying on computer keyboards or will hang around the garden, hoping to help, when you are laying down spuds.
You can find out more about Capricorn the sign at jessicaadams.com
Jessica Adams and Rachel Wells’ first title in the Leo Moon Astrologer Detective series is The Aries Billionaire, an Audible UK exclusive.
Alfie’s Club
Alfie’s Club is celebrating Zhoë, shown here demonstrating her love of boxes. She is around 12-13 years old (her exact birthday isn’t know, only that it must have been around May-June 2010/2011)
Zhoë is a funny human-loving cat who always greets the guests by licking their fingers. She has a little cute dot on the nose which makes her look like she has a moustache.
She’s so sweet and is a funny pet who is loved to the fullest.
Wishing Zhoë, her human friends and all the other Alfie Club members a most magical Christmas.
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