Connecting with nature over Christmas
While it can be tempting to binge on box sets and favourite films, how about starting a tradition of connecting with nature over Xmas?
Here’s a few ideas
Using a natural, replantable tree if you have outdoor space, buy a small tree, put it outside during the rest of the year and watch it grow every year.
Click here to a guide to the pros and cons of different trees
Creative ways to recycle Christmas trees
This article has plenty of creative ways to recycle Christmas trees that have been cut without leaving them out for the Council or just getting shredded!
Click here
Create a living bird feeder
For people with outdoor space and trees already, choose one out in the open where predators can be spotted and attach all the kinds of bird feeders to it (especially squirrel-proof ones where they are inclined to gorge on bird food otherwise). An ideal activity if you have children to get them working with wildlife. Note, once birds start using your tree, keep feeding them. In cold weather they can use up most of their spare resources flying to a known place of feeding.
Check which different types of food attract different birds.
Vine Farm has been growing wild bird food on their wild-life friendly farms for over 10 years and has a link up with UK Wildlife Trusts that has brought over £1m into the charity so far.If you want to support wildlife charities, you can give them a go by ordering your food via here
Christmas Day nature walk
We’re used to the idea of going for a short walk after Christmas lunch. How about starting the day with a walk to celebrate the natural world? Or at least planning where you will go after Christmas lunch so as to make it happen.
If you are lucky enough to be able to have your Christmas lunch outside, enjoy and make it as sustainable as possible.
Planting new trees
How about starting a tradition of planting a new tree on Christmas Day or over the festive period? Is there somewhere near you that needs re-greening and which you can legally plant in, if not your own land? You can club together as a family or with friends and use it as a positive way to connect and celebrate.
Green wreathsIf you like a wreath on your door, look for ones made from entirely natural materials than can be composted or recycled. In the UK, Lidl’s wreaths are made from straw and natural fir and can be completely deconstructed at the end of the festive period. You can look for similar. If being crafty is relaxing and fun for you, here’s a few ideas:
