The 'Perfect' Christmas Gift Your Friends Will Either Love or Hate - Find Out If It's Right for You!

Regarding Christmas gifts, we've all received our fair share of quirky presents. From the practical to the downright peculiar, the festive season never fails to surprise us with the variety of gifts exchanged. But one Aussie dad may have just raised the bar for unconventional gifting, and it's sparked quite the conversation among our Seniors Discount Club members.


Imagine waking up on Christmas morning to find a whole cow and pig ready for the freezer, gifted to you by a family member. That's precisely what happened to a group of friends and their families when one Australian dad decided to forego the traditional gift-giving route and instead opted for something more... substantial.


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An Australian dad has gifted his children and their mates an unconventional Christmas present of a whole cow and pig each year. Credit: Facebook


The father's rationale behind this meaty present is both thoughtful and practical. He believes in giving his children and their friends something they truly need - food for the year - rather than something that might be wanted but not essential. This tradition, which he started a few years ago, has been met with appreciation and a desire to continue passing it down through generations.


On social media, reactions to this unique tradition have been mixed, with many applauding the practicality and brilliance of the gift. 'This is a fantastic tradition!' exclaimed one supporter, while another mused, 'What a fantastic gift. This way of gifting should be employed today. It has got me thinking.'

Interestingly, this isn't an isolated case. Some families have received portions of livestock as gifts for years, suggesting that this practice might be more common than we think.

However, only some are convinced. Concerns have been raised about the logistics of storing such a large quantity of meat. Questions like 'How big is your freezer?' and 'How long are you meant to freeze meat for?' highlight the practical considerations of accepting a gift of this magnitude.


For those worried about the safety of consuming meat that's been frozen for an extended period, a meat science graduate offers some reassurance. She advises that its smell is the key to determining if meat has spoiled. A 'tangy and sour' scent indicates that meat is no longer safe to eat, although this can be slightly different for vacuum-sealed cuts, which may initially smell sour but freshen up after being exposed to air for a few minutes.

So, is this the 'perfect' Christmas gift? It certainly depends on who you ask. It could be a godsend for those who value practicality and have the means to store such a gift. But for others, managing and consuming that much meat might be overwhelming.

Before gifting a cow or pig this Christmas, consider the recipient's lifestyle, storage capabilities, and dietary preferences. It's also worth considering the ethical and environmental implications of such a gift, as these are increasingly important factors for many people when consuming meat.


We love hearing about unique traditions and how families celebrate the holidays at the Seniors Discount Club. Whether you're for or against gifting livestock, it's certainly a conversation starter and a reminder that the spirit of giving comes in many forms.
Key Takeaways
  • An Australian dad has gifted his children and their mates an unconventional Christmas present of a whole cow and pig each year.
  • The unique tradition is praised for being practical and ensuring the recipients have enough food for the year.
  • The gift has sparked mixed reactions, with some seeing it as 'brilliant' and others questioning the practicality of storage and food safety.
  • A meat science graduate has advised that while meat colour isn't a reliable indicator of freshness, the smell is, and vacuum-sealed meat, particularly, should smell fresher after being exposed to air for ten minutes.
What's the most unusual gift you've ever received or given for Christmas? Would you consider giving the gift of a cow or pig to someone special in your life? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – we'd love to hear from you!
 

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Great and practical idea as he knows his children and their habits. I see BBQ with friends and family.
Unusual gift: to my 2months old son for his 1st Christmas, his 1st time adult uncle gave him a big round ball and a doll. I made sure the doll was close to the baby whenever uncle visited.
 
We use to buy Chrisco and Castle which were mostly large meat packs, one year we had to rush out and buy a large freezer because we didn't realise how much meat we were getting 🧐
An ex wife used to buy Christco every Christmas before I did a price comparison with that of the major supermarkets, before Aldi.

For every $100 spent with Chrisco, the identical items from a major supermarket would have cost you around $78 to $80!

I will admit that Chrisco did have great styrofoam boxes which I fashioned into reusable eskies!
 
I think it is a great idea although haven't the freezer space. However my daughter and I were discussing how nice it would be to given a fruit and vegetable box instead of chocolate and biscuits. I'm diabetic and my daughter and some of my grandchildren are vegan.. much more practical.
 
I think it is a great idea although haven't the freezer space. However my daughter and I were discussing how nice it would be to given a fruit and vegetable box instead of chocolate and biscuits. I'm diabetic and my daughter and some of my grandchildren are vegan.. much more practical.
Yeah that’s a great idea as fruit and veggies are getting soooooo expensive 🍅
 
OH yes please. Being a Meatetarian I would never knock back a gift like that. The best present my son received this year for Xmas was a very large Meat Hamper from his work with cuts of meat that we haven't been able to afford to buy in years. Then to boot, he won another meat tray in a raffle. We're supplied for at least the next 3mths.
 
OH yes please. Being a Meatetarian I would never knock back a gift like that. The best present my son received this year for Xmas was a very large Meat Hamper from his work with cuts of meat that we haven't been able to afford to buy in years. Then to boot, he won another meat tray in a raffle. We're supplied for at least the next 3mths.
Wow that’s wonderful congratulations enjoy 😉 definately a happy new year for your family.
 
Our son is a butcher so he would be less than impressed. We do tend toward practical gifts and gave a preserving outfit to one family that had a lot of fruit trees and a huge veggie patch. They were able to preserve their own organically produced foods for use throughout the year, and still use it four years on. Very practical for them but not so for our daughter who was gifted a 6 month cleaning service.
 

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