As soon as the tree was up and decorated, our dear Lucy (obit 2008 or so) would stroll under the bottom branches and strike a pose, waiting for the inevitable camera. We have literally dozens of photos of Lucy under various Christmas trees, each one more suitable for the top of a chocolate box than the last. Lucy was a long-haired black and white cat who achieved an almost sickening level of apparent cuteness.

This year, for the first time, we have a Siamese in the family. A skilful and energetic jumper, Rosie has shown no interest in climbing as such (the curtains are unshredded), but this may change when she finds a tree in the sitting room covered with neat things to swat.

Bill used to be too heavy to climb and is now too arthritic, but he does enjoy persecuting the loose end of anything electric he might spot on the the floor. He's certain death to iPod earbuds, and the plug end of the Christmas tree lights must be inserted quickly into the powerbar if we are to avoid a nasty fang-on-wiring incident.