The difference between a hat a pet tolerates and one that comes off in four seconds is almost always the head measurement, and this is one of the few festive caps sold with a real one. Small fits a head circumference of about 25cm and medium about 35cm. Run a tape around the widest part of the skull, just above the ears, before you choose between them.

It is knitted acrylic with the snowman or the tree worked in as embroidery rather than printed on, so there is nothing to peel away in the wash or end up in a mouth. The knit has enough give to sit over the ears without pinching, which is the thing pets object to, and enough body to hold its shape in a photograph instead of collapsing flat against the head.

• Two sizes: S for a head circumference around 25cm, M for around 35cm
• Knitted acrylic
• Embroidered detail rather than a printed or glued motif
• Two designs: snowman hat and Christmas tree hat
• Weighs 35g to 50g depending on size
• Supplied as one hat

Two things worth knowing. Head circumference is the only measurement published, so there is no ear opening or depth figure to check against a very upright-eared breed. And a hat is for short supervised spells - photographs, the front door on Christmas morning - and comes off afterwards. Nothing that sits over a pet's ears should be left on whilst they are alone.

Who it's for: small dogs and cats who will sit still for a minute, and owners who would rather measure once than order twice.