I know it doesnt apply to everyone, I think it has to be taken into consideration the person or child for whom the pet is being purchased for.
I knew my daughter would take great care of a little kitten, or any pet that she would get, she now has a dog along with old Fitz, she got for her little girl, though not for a Christmas prestent.
What we all do now instead of buying Christmas gifts to each other each year, we put a donation together and I take it to the Children's Hospice, for the litte children who suffer from cancer, this is not government funded and depends on people's and business's genourosity, I know this is far from this subject so sorry I went of the track.