Hosting Christmas Day for your loved ones can be a stressful experience.
While the day is about spending quality time with family and friends, it can also become a huge chore - as well as a massive expense.
For one mum, the strain has been intensified following an unusual request from an invited guest.
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Writing about her experience on Mumsnet, she said: "Someone who is invited for Christmas Day at mine has said they are bringing their kitten.
"This is not normal behaviour, right, asking to any pet owners?"
The woman explained she doesn't "know much about pets" but was under the impression kittens can be left alone for a day, if the owner planned ahead.
Her post continued: "I don’t understand why she want to bring it with her just because it’ll be Christmas Day.
"Am I being unreasonable to say it can’t come? I don’t want it ruining things.
"Haven’t replied yet."
Other mums were conflicted on the issue, with some calling the request "weird."
One said: "Definitely not normal. People who try to bring their pets to other people’s houses need to get a grip. A kitten probably can’t be left the whole day, but that just means she can’t come for the whole day."
Another said: "How weird. How young is the kitten?
"This is the kind of thing people tend to do with dogs but I've never heard of someone doing it with a cat! I love cats and I would still say no."
Others were worried about the kitten's welfare.
One said: "You are not being unreasonable to say she can’t bring the kitten, but if it’s still really tiny I wouldn’t leave it alone for a whole day either."
Another said: "The kitten would hate it."
A third added: "Kittens can't be left for long, unfortunately, so I understand why she wants to bring it but it's cheeky to tell you that she is and you're within your rights to say no. Just beware that it might mean she can't come at all."
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