Sunday, November 27, 2016

Cozy Christmas Selfie

We put up our Christmas tree and decked the halls the day after Thanksgiving, just as we do every year. It's always a struggle to hold out that long, but it only seems fair to give Thanksgiving its time to shine. The day after, though, it's Christmas!

Being that today is the much anticipated Sunday Selfie blog hop, hosted by the fantastic Kitties Blue over at The Cat on My Head, Evan was eager to snap a cozy selfie to give you all a sneak peak of our Christmas tree, as well as the kitties' early Christmas gift.


This selfie was taken before the tree's final touches had been added, and before the Christmas Tree Terrorist Eddy had realized that her victim the tree was being built. Although I have yet to acquire photographic evidence, Eddy has already climbed to the top of the tree, knocked a number of its branches out of place, and littered the floor with ornaments. Many, many times. I don't know whether to consider her a Christmas enthusiast, or to just call her the Grinch.


Have any of our furiends initiated their Christmas trees yet?

Happy Sunday!



***
Our Tip of the Day:
How about some more tips on cats and Christmas trees?

First, weigh out your options of an artificial versus a real tree. While artificial trees of course are not meant to be gnawed on by a kitty, a real tree could potentially cause intestinal upset if chewed, not to mention that the needles can be sharp and painful, and the water to keep it alive a potential danger. Also consider tree size, keeping in mind that the larger the tree, the more damaging and potentially dangerous it could be should it tip over with the help of a kitty.

After you've selected your tree, choose a safe place in the house to place it. You might want to select a place that is safe and snug but that also has plenty of free space around it, without many shelves or knickknacks to fall and hurt any nearby furbabies should a calamity occur. Ensure that the base is sturdily weighted, or even anchored down (thanks, Melissa, for the suggestion of anchoring the tree to the baseboard!). You can even try something to ward your kitty away from trying to climb the base of the tree, such as wrapping the base in aluminum foil, or even placing safe yet sturdy decorations or other items beneath it to block kitty's access.

And, of course, be cautious of what all goes on the tree. Avoid potentially dangerous or breakable ornaments if need be, and tinsel or any other potential choking hazards or dangerous items. Do your best to avoid leaving dangling or enticing cords or strands of decoration. If need be, keep the easily accessible bottom of the tree low on or free of those dangling and tempting ornaments and other decorations, especially those that are breakable or that could be potentially dangerous. Be sure to unplug all strands of lights or other cords should you be unable to supervise your kitty and the tree, especially if your cat is a known Christmas tree terrorist.

Also consider placing an enticing cat tree or other fun kitty zone near the Christmas tree, to perhaps prompt the kitty to use it instead of the Christmas tree. Cats love new things, which is why the Christmas tree going up can be so exciting for them. But, you can also use this concept to help save the tree. Consider getting your cat new toys at the same time as the Christmas tree, to give them something else to which to turn their attention.

If all else fails, you can put the tree in a secluded area where your furbabies are not allowed. There is also the option of putting it within the confines a barrier that they cannot pass. With some careful planning and trial and error, kitties and Christmas trees can coexist!

15 comments:

Mickey's Musings said...

That looks like a nice and cozy place for a selfie :)
You get soft lighting from the tree too.
Good tips about tree placement and decorations too.
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ

pilch92 said...

I LOVE this drawing!!! I am a big grinch fan, Eddy makes such a cute grinch. Very creative! We have artificial trees and I am nervous about Brody this year for his 1st Christmas indoors. I have lots of crocheted ornaments I put on the bottom for their pleasure. I do put my hubby's Star Trek tree off limits in the dining room.

Marg said...

Eddy, that is such a good drawing of you.We don't think you are a grinch, just having a good ole time with the tree. Evan, we like your new spot. Well done.

meowmeowmans said...

Eddy as the Grinch? Your drawing sure did make us smile really wide.

We love Evan's beautiful selfie -- and for once, he's not by the door! :)

Luckily, none of our cats have even been Christmas tree "enthusiasts." They do like laying UNDER the tree though. :)

Big hugs to you all.

Kitties Blue said...

We like to mention one additional tip. Some kitties are allergic to certain species of trees. Our sisfur (now angel) Steamer, as well as our mom, were allergic to Scotch Pine trees, one the humans used to get quite often. Now all our trees are artificial like those of so many other people. We have a tree for breakable ornaments and it is behind closed doors where we are not allowed unsupervised. We love the photo of Evan, and we think if there is a Christmas photo contest anywhere, you should enter it. Eddy is a very adorable Grinch cat. Thanks so much for hopping with us. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Great tips and love the tree!

Purrs xx
Athena and Marie

Unknown said...

Beautiful spot for a selfie. And I love your tree tips. Since we have a little terror over here too, we have a tabletop tree in place of a full-sized tree. Anything big wouldn't stand a chance against Fergus. But, in my studio, I do have an artificial tree for me and Popoki to enjoy. She rarely touches anything she shouldn't, and like your guy, she seems to enjoy the lights.

Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

TBT believes in 2 weeks of Christmas MAX! In fact, tired of setting up the 7' fake tree, he is buying a little 3' tabletop model. None of us are going to climb THAT! Ya might as well try ta climb a string...

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That is a lovely cosy selfie!

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Eddy, you make the cutest Grinch ever!!! And I wouldn't mind curling up under that cozy tree myself :)

The Island Cats said...

I'm the tree climber around here. That's why the mom won't put up our tree right away. ~Ernie

sprinkles said...

I used to have a kitty who climbed the Christmas tree. We finally got him to stop, but he always always always batted the ornaments off the tree. We got smart though and only decorated the top half of the tree. Yes, it looked funny. But it saved us from having to replace so many ornaments every year.

Anonymous said...

That's a cute Selfie, Evan. MOL..don't worry, we can picture the picture of Eddy...MOL :D I have a few siblings who live with my mother, who like to climb..I mean help decorating too :D Pawkisses for a not so grinchy day :) <3

Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat said...

Evan looks like he's lying in wait for the perpetrator :) Handsomely of course!

Dash Kitten Crew said...

Wow tree up already! we put ours up two weeks before Christmas and it comes down on 12th night the day the wise men reach baby jesus (well we think so....)