Pet Pigs and Real Reindeer: The Perfect Christmas Gifts

What will you wish for this Christmas? Real reindeer, pet pigs or the very latest in toy technology? It's all possible this festive season, at a price.

Published

6 months ago

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Seriously?

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Seriously?

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London, United Kingdom

Transcript

SCRIPT: With Christmas only weeks away, it's time to ready the reindeer. Not in Lapland, but in central England Santa's trusty companions can now be yours to hire for your own festive event - complete with sleigh: SOUNDBITE 1: Angie Flint (woman), Real Reindeer Ltd [English, 19 sec]: "It's all about the Christmas magic.. a lot of people aren't aware that there are real reindeer, even adults we come across don't know this and when you meet the reindeer, I think it's a combination of the furry nose and the big eyes -- there seal-like eyes -- you just melt, and I haven't met anybody who hasn't felt the same way." This winter Angie will be travelling up and down the country with her specially trained reindeer -- with prices starting at 500 pounds for one per day -- including a handler. But if you'd rather an animal you can keep -- what about a pet pig? For a similar sum, this miniature breed of pig could be yours in time for Christmas Day. But warning, even the cutest of pigs grow up: SOUNDBITE 2: Caroline Chaplin (woman), Pet Piggies [English, 21 sec]: "I'm not particularly ever happy when they are bought for a surprise, because yes the girlfriend or the wife who has always been obsessed by pigs but if everyone hasn't come up and met and seen what size they get to and understood the way they need to be cared for, I also think that's a bit dubious." And if the responsibility of looking after a real animal is too much for time and wallet, a safer bet may be something more low maintenance. Here in London the top toys for Christmas have been launched and are already flying off the shelves. Parents this year, in spite of economic gloom, are expected to spend around 100 pounds per child. That may not quite get you a reindeer or a pet pig But perhaps something similar. SHOTLIST: CORBY, UK, 1 NOV 2012 SOURCE: AFPTV -VAR Angie Flint with her reindeers -SOUNDBITE 1: Angie Flint (woman), Real Reindeer Ltd [English, 19 sec] -VAR Anglie feeding reindeers -CU reindeer -CU 4-month-old pet pig -VAR pet pig -SOUNDBITE 2: Caroline Chaplin (woman), Pet Piggies [English, 21 sec] -VAR pig in Caroline's house -VAR Toy Retailers Association Christmas toy launch, London, 30 Oct, 2012