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A cream kitten with folded ears wears a red Santa hat on a stone hearth beside logs and a garland-covered mantel. 9 / 23

The Santa Hat Was Two Sizes Too Big. The Kitten Wore It Anyway.

AI imagescottish foldsanta hatfireplace

On a stone hearth beside a stack of logs sits a cream-colored kitten with small folded ears and round amber eyes, wearing a Santa hat that is almost too big for its head. The white fur trim sits just above one ear, and the pompom bobs a bit to the side. Above the fireplace, a mantel draped in evergreen branches and pinecones frames the scene, while a pale throw blanket hangs over the edge.

Folded ears are the trademark of the Scottish Fold, a breed with a sweet, quiet nature that often enjoys company. The fold comes from a gene that affects cartilage, and responsible breeders and vets pay close attention to the health of these cats, so it is wise to talk to your vet about the care a Fold might need. Near a fireplace, remember the basics: use a sturdy screen, keep little ones away from hot surfaces and embers, and never leave a lit fire unattended with a curious kitten around. Hats and costumes are best kept to a few minutes, with plenty of praise.

This kitten, we will call him Biscuit, looks a bit unsure about the hat but remarkably polite about it. His eyes are fixed on something just out of sight, maybe the crackle of a log or a drifting spark of light. The holidays make everyone a little more patient, even small cats in oversized hats.

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