Browse ›
A black cat sleeps curled in a pile of torn red and green wrapping paper on the floor beside a couch 7 / 26

He Skipped the Presents and Fell Asleep in the Wrapping Paper

AI imageblack catwrapping paperchristmas morning

The gifts are open, the floor is a snowstorm of festive paper, and in the middle of it all, a black cat has gone to sleep. He lies curled on the crinkled sheets with his eyes closed, as dark as a lump of coal against the red, green, and white patterns. Holly prints and little stars peek out from under his sides, and scraps of twine and pine needles dot the carpet. In the background there is a sunny doorway, a basket of blankets, and a potted plant, all very still.

Cats sleep roughly twelve to sixteen hours a day, and a pile of paper is a fine place to do it: it is soft, it crinkles, and it holds body warmth. Black cats are no different from any other color in temperament, though they are unfairly known for superstitions. If you have a cat who likes a nap in the paper, keep an eye out for tape, ribbon, staples, and foil-coated paper, which should not be chewed or swallowed. Sweeping up the leftovers soon after unwrapping helps keep the napping spot safe, and a plain cardboard box makes a good replacement.

He looks like the happiest cat in the house. When the morning's work is done, a nap is the best present of all. The tree can wait, and so can the cleanup, at least until he wakes up.

More from this collection

All 26 →
A grey Devon Rex cat holds a red and white candy cane in its mouth while sitting on a cream knit blanketA Grey Devon Rex Walked Off With the Candy CaneA blue-grey British Shorthair cat sits in the foreground as a woman and child open gifts behind her in a living roomThe British Shorthair Had the Best Seat for Christmas Morning
A silver tabby British Shorthair cat wears a cream knitted sweater with red reindeer and snowflakes in a living roomA Silver Tabby Put On a Reindeer Sweater and Stayed DignifiedA seal point Siamese cat sits in the snow beside a snowman wearing a green scarf and a carrot noseA Siamese Cat Stood Next to a Snowman and Matched His CalmAn orange longhair cat leans over a white plate of chocolate chip cookies on a table in a cluttered holiday roomAn Orange Longhair Inspected the Cookies Meant for SantaA cream point Ragdoll cat wearing a small red Santa hat lies on a blanket in front of a crackling fireplaceA Ragdoll in a Santa Hat Settled In by the Crackling Fire