Each year as a child I dreamed of Christmas. We spent each Christmas week at my Grandmother’s house and celebrated in the traditional way. We went into the woods and chopped down a pine tree and brought it back to the house for decorating. We ate hearty Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners with our large extended family. And, each year, I made a list of my wants and left it out for Santa, along with my stocking. Because my Santa believed in a healthy, vegetarian diet, I usually received fruit, an assortment of nuts I had no idea what to do with, and one piece of chocolate. I would also receive a few items from my list, but never the one I asked for every year; a pet.
This is a partnered post with James Avery Artisan Jewelry. All opinions are my own.
The Story of the Christmas Cat
I wasn’t sure what caused this oversite. My father owned an assortment of hound dogs. All I wanted was one small pet, preferably a fluffy kitten. Finally, I took matters into my own hands one clear summer day and purchased a puppy on a trip to the local farmer’s market with my aunt. There was much complaining from my mom, but the dog stayed. For six months. One day he disappeared. My mother and I searched everywhere for him with no luck. Finally, after two years, we found him at a relative’s house many miles away, renamed “Squirrel.” He had apparently jumped into the back of my dad’s truck with some of his dogs and jumped off at the relative’s house. They didn’t want to give him up so he stayed with them. After that, I gave up on having a pet.
When I got married, dreams of pets had long since died. If asked about pets I told everyone I claimed my in-law’s dog, Roscoe, since he liked to come visit. Then, one year on Christmas Eve, my father-in-law knocked on my door, holding something small, furry, and white. “I found this abandoned kitten. I think it’s a couple of days old. It’s half frozen.” “And?” I prompted. “I thought you might take care of it.” I reluctantly took the kitten. I made a small bed for it and purchased a doll bottle and a gallon of milk to feed her. Yes, I know I should have used kitten milk replacer but I didn’t know it then. I had no idea how to take care of a newborn kitten. Somehow we both managed to survive. And she managed to snuggle her way into my heart.
Someday I can pass my bracelet down to the baby.
Since then I’ve made it my mission to rescue as many pets as possible. We have quite the menagerie of our own; a rabbit, four cats, and a donkey. Seriously. A rescue donkey. Plus, whenever possible, I try to raise awareness of shelter pets. My devotion to helping animals all began with the Christmas cat, Icy. Which brings me to my charm bracelet. It seems like a stretch but bear with me. I wanted a piece of jewelry that reflected the important things in my life. I add charms that have a special significance to me, like a globe to show my love of travel or a computer to describe my affinity for blogging. This year I am adding a special charm; the Sweet Kitty charm in sterling silver from James Avery Jewelry. It reflects my love of animals and will be a keepsake memento I can pass down to the baby one day, along with the Story of The Christmas Cat.
About James Avery
James Avery is a family-owned company started in 1954 by James Avery. Believing his pieces to be more than jewelry, he created pieces to hold family close, be symbols of faithfulness and comfort, a means to hold far away family close and let them know they are loved. He planned to create more than a store; he created a story. Today, they keep their commitment to quality by designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling all their own products. Their mission is to create timeless jewelry that reflects the important things in life. Their classic design shines through in their collections of charms and pendants, rings, bracelets, necklaces and chains, and earrings. Pieces are available in sterling silver and 14K gold.
Want to read more inspiring James Avery stories and the jewelry that helps tell them, like my charm bracelet, visit James Avery: A Story of Family. You can also share your own stories with #MyJamesAvery and #ACharmedChristmas.
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Make this Christmas one to remember with James Avery artisan jewelry!
Contest
Want a chance to win a Sweet Kitty Charm of your own? Share your own favorite Christmas memory in the comments. And don’t forget to enter you information in the Giveaway tools box below.
My favorite Christmas memory is spending time with my grandma before she passed away. We buried her on the 27th.
My favorite Christmas memory is staying up all night with my brother watching movies and waiting for the right time to wake up our mom. I remember seeing the pile of gifts, the blue sled and stockings. So exciting!
My mom loves to bake and we have been baking since childhood. We bake all kinds of different cookies and give them out as gifts. It takes forever but is well worth it!
As a little girl, my mom made every Christmas special for us. She always had our stockings filled with all kinds of little things especially for each of us. They always made us feel so special.
My favorite Christmas memory is being snuggled up with my cat Snowball on the couch watching Perry Como’s Christmas Special with my family and looking out the stenciled window at the falling snowl
My favorite Christmas memory is my husband coming home from his deployment early on Christmas Eve and surprising me.
Taking my baby daughter to my mother’s house Christmas morning!
As a small child we would go on Christmas Eve and ride all over the town looking at lights.
decorating together
my first Christmas with my now husband. we were young, broke and it was the best.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
My favorite memory is the last Christmas I was able to spend with my mother in December 2012, because she passed away in April 2013. I decorated the house inside and out which is something I had never done. It was wonderful. The smile on my mons face was precious.
My favorite Christmas memory is our first Christmas together after my husband came home from Iraq. We had very little in the way of money or material possessions, but we (along with our first rescue cat, Nina) had everything we needed. Each other.
My favorite Christmas memory was getting snowed in at Grandma’s house. The neighbor brought over some plastic crates that we used to sled down the hill outside. It was a lot of fun.
Everyone making it home to the parents on Christmas Eve.
Taking all the cousins to see Santa
My favorite Christmas was when I was 6 years old and my parents got me a kitten. They had me do various things until it led me to a box downstairs with my kitten.
My favorite memory is the first year I was dating my husband and we had a tiny tree. We even strung popcorn to hang on it
My favorite Christmas memory is when I was growing up my grandparents in Germany always sent us a package at Christmas. My brother and I would watch out of our front windows for the mail carrier to come. We knew if he stopped and opened his door that he was bringing us our package. We were so excited. We would open it on Christmas Eve. The package was full of German Chocolate and cookies and presents. I cherish these childhood memories especially since both my grandparents have passed and so has my dad. 🙁
That’s such a sweet story. I remember finding a little kitty half frozen when I was a teen and my parents told me it could stay the weekend to regain its strength, but she stayed with my family until she died 17 years later. Cats just have a way of sneaking into your heart.
My favorite Christmas memories are my Christmas 1sts. My 1st apartment. My 1st Christmas with hubby. My 1st Christmas as a wife, as a mom and I look forward to many more Christmas memories.
My best memory is my sister and I getting matching Schwinn Bikes when we were 5 and 6 — we wanted them so bad.
My sister in law would love this as she is crazy about feline. That charm would be a perfect gift for her, I will check it out.
I love the story of the Christmas cat, and I absolutely love that charm! My niece loves charm bracelets and I have now found the best place to get a special one for her. Thanks for letting me know about James Avery jewelry.
Awww. What a beautiful story. I am glad there are people like you who do whatever you can to help the animals. Thank you for your efforts. I also appreciate you introducing me to James Avery artisan jewelry. They are so pretty and precious!
What a lovely story. I’m so glad that you and the kitten found each other.
Thank you for letting me know about this brand of artisan jewelry. I love charm bracelets and the charms on mine are close to my heart. I will check out James Avery’s social media channels and browse through their items. I have another charm bracelet that needs to be “filled up.”
What a great story! All our cats have a cute story behind them because they were all found as kittens outside. Love the charms and such a great idea
We had a cat that took a ride and decided he liked the new place better. We have rescued several animals over the years, they made great companions.
favorite Christmas memory-when a friend dressed up as Santa and knocked at our front door when the boys were little
I salute you dear! i love that you have this kind of initiative to create awareness. Indeed it is important and also having some knowledge about taking care of pets really matters.
I love that little charm. I would add it to a bracelet I already have.
I love hearing that people help animals in any way they can. Your kitten in the picture with you looks just like ours!
I am really glad you shared that story! I wish I had a story that was as fun to share.
My mom takes in anyone and anything that ends up on her doorstep. That worked out well for my friends in high school who moved in and out of our home. This week a possum made it’s way into the laundry room. I think she drew the line there. I think you both have the biggest hearts!
It is so wonderful that you help so many pets! I love the charm bracelet idea. I would love a bracelet that I could keep adding to. A great gift idea for Christmas!
My favorite Christmas story is the year that my letter to Santa made the front page of our local home town paper.
What a heartwarming story. I am glad you finally found a sweet kitty to call your own. The charm is really pretty and a great reminder of your furry companion.
Wow I can not imagine finding a lost pet after two years. I like to volunteer at the local animal shelter. There are so many great animals that need a home. I would love to get the Sweet Kitty charm for Christmas.
What an absolutely beautiful story! I love this so much – rescue animals are pure joy for any family. This was amazing to read!
The charm is so cute. My fondest memory is either eating scrambled eggs and ham with my dadda in the morning and seeing those huge pieces of fruit that my mom has near the front door for guests that have candies in it as well.
Falling asleep in the living room next to the tree. 🙂
I love that you have a rescue donkey. 🙂 The charm is cute as can be. I’m going to enter for my granddaughter.
pancakes on christmas morning with bacon before gifts
I remember when I was very young and we went by my Aunt’s house for Christmas. She had a wonderful doll for me that walked. I was so happy.
Aww, what an adorable surprise! It’s wonderful that you were able to bond with that kitten!I love that it inspired you to help other animals as well! I love the charm!
That story of the cat is so cute. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win some jewelry!!
Awww…Your story is so touching. I, too, am broken-hearted after the loss of my dog and am afraid to adopt – even though I LOVE animals and miss having one around the house.
My favorite Christmas memory is Santa coming to my house (literally showed up at the door) with the Barbie Townhouse! 🙂
I loved your story. I can relate to some of them. It took me 12 years after my dog Thumbelina died before I adopted another. I’d love to have a charm of a furry little dog, resembling my Thumbelina. I’m going to check James Avery Jewelry’s social media sites.
What a lovely story, I have to admit all our animals are rescue and I don’t think I could have anything else these days.
What a magical story to share. It made my day to read this. I had no idea about the story of the Christmas cat. Thanks for sharing this!
I just love this story! We rescued our cats. I think it’s so important to rescue pets! This is pretty jewelry!
That is the sweetest story ever. And I love that you are on a mission to rescue as many cats – not just cats, as many animals as possible. You have a huge heart my friend. That is wonderful. The world needs more kindness like this. Love this so much.
What a sweet story. I’m glad you saved the little kitten, and it turned into something more with you helping other animals.
What a sweet story! I honestly feel like it could be a Hallmark movie. I’m so glad you finally have your pets! Yay!
I love this story so much! I also love what you’re doing to help animals. I think that’s the best thing anyone can do on this earth. Giving animals a chance at happiness is God’s work.
It sounds like an inspiring story. We’re huge pet lovers at home and have adopted lots of pets through the years. Right now I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. They’re so full of love and they fill the house with joy. Pets are amazing!
My favorite memory is when I took my son to my brother’s house for his first Christmas.