If your children are old enough to accept and care for a pet for Christmas, visit your local pound or local kennels. Love and care for any animal is teaching a valuable lesson to the child. I was lucky to be raised in the country, had ponies, calves, pigs, lambs and horses to play with and care for in my life. Fur babies in later life when I married, and have adopted about 13 cats in retirement...who have given back to us lots of love and a rat free garage! Our one houe cat give us back in love and laughter, and I'd bet others can relate with their fun babies.