EVERY YEAR, A strange and sinister presence takes up residence in our living rooms. It is green, and large, and many-tentacled.

Often it is only one member of the household who realises the true nature of this threat. And that means they have to deal with it themselves.

Like this cat who took care of a little unfinished business

This fearsome fighter who dealt with that home invader just fine, not that she expects any thanks for it

This warrior who has vanquished this tree and gone to find more

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This cat who is just in the process of dealing with the tree, may need just a small bit of help on a technicality

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This heroic beast who took down a monster

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This cat in a David-vs-Goliath struggle which ended in glorious victory

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This savvy animal which did all the work while the dog just sat there, like a sap

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And this hero, just doing his thing year after year

Thank you, cats. Thank you for saving us from the Christmas tree scourge.

More: Real Christmas tree v fake Christmas tree – we decide>