Stewart McDonald
Wild Christmas Gifts
By gifting ‘wild’ this Christmas you can give nature the helping hand it needs.
‘Wild’ gifts range from beaver gnawed wood chips to a new version of Top Trumps featuring our best loved native animals; or why not creating that special handmade present crafted with love? Wildlife Trusts throughout the UK have a wide range of festive gifts and events with a difference.
Top ‘wild’ gifts.
- Beaver-gnawed woodchips. Fashioned by busy beavers, whose re-introduction to the River Otter has been led by Devon Wildlife Trust. The wood chip comes in a presentation box; stocks are limited. Definitely a talking point! The Welsh Beaver Project is offering beaver design mugs and bilingual Christmas cards.
- Curl up snug as a bug in a rug: in a plaid dark Hebridean wool blanket, with white Charollais stripe. Spun in Yorkshire with wool from the local Wildlife Trust’s grazing flock of rare breed Hebridean sheep. Hats and shawls available too.
- Top Trumps: Who’s the fastest: fox or puffin? Who’s more ferocious: stoat or red deer? And who’s the speediest? Battle it out to get the highest scores; a fun way to find out about UK wildlife. On sale at various Wildlife Trust visitor centres or online. Check your local trust website.
- Stand up for nature: Show you stand up for nature with The Wildlife Trusts animal print clothing . Hibernate in a hoodie, or chill in a tee shirt. Robins, stag beetles, bats, badgers, bees, dormice and whales are just some of the designs on offer. 100% organic cotton, ethically and sustainably made in a wind-powered factory.
- Yule festive feast: Feathered friends deserve Christmas treats too. Make a wreath and fill pine cones with bird cake, it looks good, and gives birds nutritious food they need for winter. Download free instructions. Vine House Farm grows and sells wild bird seed. Five per cent of every order goes to your local Wildlife Trust. Over the past ten years they’ve given £1.25 million to help wildlife recover.
Crafty Christmas: Gifts from the heart made with love and care.
- Rockin’ Robins: Our best loved bird, who sings all year round, and cheers up dark winter days. With expert tuition, make a Christmas needle felt robin to give as a special gift, or perch on the mantlepiece. Workshop at Blakehill Farm nature reserve, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Dec 13th.
- Knit for Nature: Balls of Wool: Buy high quality yarn from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s grazing flock of rare breed Hebridean sheep. Patterns: Combine with fun patterns for Boris the Barn owl, Betty the Bee and Rustle the Hedgehog, and knit your own wildlife; the patterns support the work of Somerset Wildlife Trust.
- Winter wreaths: Throughout December many local Wildlife Trusts are offering workshops, with walks to gather greenery and create natural festive decorations; find events nationwide. Many Trust shops offer gifts made by local artists, craftspeople, & jewellery makers.
Wild festive events
- Family fun: Have a go at pulling your own mini pine tree then potting and decorating it for Christmas. Along with a heathland walk followed by crafts and treats around a fire. Knettishall Heath, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Dec 20th
- Forest Father Christmas: Santa is visiting woodland grottos at various Wildlife Trust nature reserves throughout December. Search for his visits here. Check Wildlife Trust websites to book events and workshops.
Share the love
- Jolly Holly: Shelia could do with some help, she’s ancient, and although vibrant and beautiful, she’s showing her age. Shelia is one of the Stiperstones hollies, given individual names by the reserve manger! Support will help Shropshire Wildlife Trust look after these marvellous trees.
- Many Wildlife Trusts offer the chance to adopt animals and plants to support the work they do creating a wildlife rich world. From hedgehogs to pine martens, otters, hares, and ponies too. Everyone can find a favourite.
- Gift membership. For a present that lasts all year, check out gift membership from your local Wildlife Trust for friends or family. Some include special Christmas offers. Cheshire Wildlife Trust is including a free book; and a gift pack for membership of Wildlife Watch, the club for junior naturalists. New members of Devon Wildlife Trust will also receive a free Seedball tin of wildflowers seeds, good for bees and butterflies.
