Of course I am always grateful for the gifts my children receive, BUT my house has become a plastic wasteland – toys, toys toys everywhere. My kids seriously do not need any more this Christmas. So this festive period I am urging friends and family to think differently about what presents they give to my children, because although ‘tis is the season to be jolly – tra la la la la! It is also the season to be mindful about the impact our celebrating has on our natural environment. Here are some gift ideas for children this Christmas that won’t result in shed loads of waste.
- Give the gift of nature this Christmas. Treat them to a Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust annual family membership, for two adults and up to four children, and they will receive our hedgehog adoption kit complete with cuddly toy hoglet and adoption certificate, as well as regular copies of Wildlife Watch children’s magazine.
https://www.wildsheffield.com/join-us/family-membership/
- A trip to the theatre. There are load of family friendly shows to choose from all year round. Make it a pre-Christmas gift and book pantomime tickets for the family.
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-see - Junior bake off. Kid-friendly cooking sets or baking sets are great family activities – and maybe they will share the yummy treats with you too.
- Trampoline jump passes. Jump Inc have trampoline parks in Sheffield and Rotherham, so the children (and big children) in your family can jump, bounce and run amok for hours.
https://www.jump-inc.uk/locations/rotherham/ - Try a new sport or physical activity. Sign them up for a term of swimming lessons, football, dance or balance bike there will be loads for you to choose from.
- Get their hands dirty. Do they love playing outdoors? Then book them on to a Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust Wild Play event. You will find something for everyone in every school holiday, from bushcraft to muddy play, wild art to campfire cooking. https://www.wildsheffield.com/discover/your-community/families-and-wild-play
- Screen time without the guilt. Let them enjoy their screen time with twist. Buy them a voucher for an education app. https://www.educationalappstore.com/app-lists/apps-for-education
- Train tickets to visit someone special. Does their favourite aunty or uncle live in London or Manchester? Buy the family some train tickets for them to go and visit for the weekend
- Annual passes to exciting attractions. One trip to The Deep (in Hull) gets you an annual pass. https://www.thedeep.co.uk/
- Think of their future. If they haven’t already got one set them up a savings account and make a contribution to their future.
Happy holidays x