If you are now sitting there wondering where I get off discouraging this practice when I've been the happy recipient of such gifts, three times over, ... please let me assure you, it's all in the delivery and planning. Since I picked out my three dogs (and every dog that has ever come into my home), it should be quite obvious that I was a fully active participant for these particular gift selections. The decision to become responsible for three lives was my own, the selection of breeds (or non-breeds, as the case may be) was something I spent months considering beforehand. The "gift" part was the purchase price, and the timing of their arrival (a little off in two cases).
I didn't get to unwrap a cute, be-ribboned box under the Christmas tree with suspicious air holes poked through the lid. And there was no joyous surprise from opening a pretty package containing a puppy half dead from lack of oxygen, or soggy with urine, from being shut in a box for far too long. Now wouldn't that put a damper on things? I'll bet the pup would have felt damper too.
Do it the Right Way
If you are dead set on getting that special someone a puppy for Christmas, be absolutely sure that someone wants the responsibilities and commitment involved and can handle the expenses of having a dog. Anything less than that is both unfair and a grave disservice to both the puppy and the person.
It's Okay to Surprise Somebody When ...
You are the parent, and until then, you were the reason your children didn't have a dog yet. However, if you are the parent, and the puppy is for a child, I hope you're prepared for taking over the responsibilities yourself. Children very rarely handle things like cleaning up, training, and feeding until they are much older. These things will most likely end up being your job, along with all bills.
It's just a very bad idea to actually surprise somebody with something that will need their constant attention, cash and training for the next ten to fifteen years or more. It would be like me showing up on your doorstep with a pretty parcel : "Look at what I bought you! A baby! Isn't he cute? You'll make a terrific mother, and I've got to go now ... bye!"
Plan With Your Person
This is always the best way. Your gift recipient gets all the joy of choosing their own companion, and you get to share their joy (and pay for it). Not everyone's idea of the perfect dog is the same, and nobody can pick friends better than the person who keeps the friends (I'm not sure that came out quite right, but you get the idea). A dog is a lifestyle decision, and best left to the person living that life.
Have to Wrap SOMETHING?
If you're battling that urge to have at least something wrapped up that they can open, then wrap up with these ideas:
- collar and leash gift set
- fancy food and water dishes
- a gift certificate for one cute puppy (breed left to the receiver's discretion, your idea of the perfect breed may be your friend's last choice.)
- a cute stuffed toy puppy, with a note around his neck: "I'm not a real dog, but there's one waiting for you!"