Perhaps some member of your family has been pestering you for weeks or months with the following question: “Please, oh please, can we get a cat?” It’s starting to sound like a good idea to you. Cats make fun companions and great lap warmers. And now Christmas is coming and you need a special gift, something that will put a sparkle in your loved one’s eyes … a new cat, perhaps?

Think twice before you run down to the animal shelter to pick out a surprise pet, says BJ Altschul of the Montgomery County Humane Society. It’s not necessarily a bad idea to give your family a new cat for Christmas, but bringing a new pet into the home on Christmas morning is not the best way to do it. First, think of what your home is usually like on Christmas, and on the days immediately before and after. It’s probably more than a little chaotic – not the best environment for a new pet. All that activity can be frightening for a cat, and having lots of people coming and going from the house provides a perfect opportunity for a cat to slip outside and become lost.

Also, it’s best to have the whole family involved in choosing a new cat. Who is going to be responsible for the cat’s care and feeding? What kind of cat are you looking for, exactly? Do you have the time, energy, and commitment required to raise a kitten, or would an older cat be a better fit for your family? These are all important questions to ask – and answer – before bringing that cat home.

Instead of surprising your family with an actual cat on Christmas morning, present them with a gift basket of some cat-care essentials. You can start with a brand-new litter box and fill it with food and water dishes, cat toys, food and treats. Wrap it all up in a big bow and add a homemade cat gift certificate or a “promise certificate” like the one available at Petfinder.com. Then, after the holiday excitement has died down, you can all go together to select the purrfect cat for your whole family. And don’t forget that local shelters have lots of great cats waiting for loving forever homes!