Nothing says Christmas like feral cats frolicking around the Christmas tree. I found this picture online this morning without source or explanation. I suspect it is a Victorian Christmas card, judging by the style and the overall weirdness of the subject matter. There is plenty to enjoy in this feline yowltide.
If I had no other identifying factors, I would know this is British in origin because of the plentitude of Christmas crackers Three pairs of kitties are eitehr in the process of pulling the crackers and there are a number of popped crackers on the floor. The pair in the front left are simultaneously falling backward and startled by the explosion. A number of cats are wearing the crowns and paper hats contained inside, and the pair in center right are laughing at the corny jokes found inside.
What’s up with the cat with glasses on the bench beside the tree? It appears that he is listening to a kitten. Is this a Santa Paws, or simply a grandfatherly figure. Whichever, there are no COVID or child protection measures in place. There appears to be another “child” on the shoulders of a parent toward the back on the right side. Are the four in the forefront kittens? Hard to say.
The most interesting thing about the picture for me is the background. There are about fifteen cats in the foreground with greater color and definition, but behind them are less-defined and outlined cats that appear to be countless and jamming the room all the way to the far wall with a cat portrait on it. There is even a second tree on the far side of the room to match the abundant tree in the foreground. There is also some sort of hanging garland or wreath hanging above the party.
No moral, no deep observation…it’s a cat party, and what could be bettter.