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A blue-grey kitten sits between wrapped gifts tied with twine and plaid ribbon beside a decorated Christmas tree. 6 / 21

One Present Under the Tree Had Whiskers and Copper Eyes

AI imagebritish shorthairkittenchristmas tree

Wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, the presents under the tree make a small fortress, and a blue-grey kitten has settled right in the middle of it. His round face and plush coat blend with the soft colors of the boxes, and his copper eyes look off to one side as if he's heard something interesting. Wooden beads and glass ornaments glitter on the tree above, and a plaid ribbon peeks out from a nearby box.

British Shorthairs have dense, plush coats, round cheeks and a calm, easygoing personality. They usually enjoy company without demanding constant attention, which makes them popular family cats. Like all cats, they love enclosed, cozy places, and the space under a Christmas tree checks every box: shadowy, snug and full of crinkly things. It helps to make the area kitten-friendly by securing the tree so it can't tip, covering cords, and keeping ribbon, tinsel and tree water out of reach. Ribbon is especially risky if swallowed, so a toy on a string used with supervision is a safer substitute.

Let's say his name is Smoky. He sits so still among the gifts that he could almost be mistaken for another present, soft grey wrapping included. The family will have a hard time deciding which box to open first when the best surprise has already arrived.

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