Go green this Christmas and make sure your presents bring a smile well into the New Year. This year has given many of us a chance to reflect upon the need to slow down, spend more quality time together and get more in touch with both ourselves and nature, so we really hope our ideas inspire you.
This Christmas why not consider buying a gift to increase quality time together or to encourage outdoor activity or begin a journey of wildlife love and discovery.
At the Colne Valley Regional Park we have many lovely rural pubs and cafes, which may be selling vouchers and afternoon teas, but if you cannot get hold of them to buy a voucher, how about making your own home made one to support a local, favourite venue from the link above.
You could plan a local over night stay in the valley in one of the rural hotels with countryside venues and beautiful walks (for ideas check our ‘Find the perfect place to stay in the Colne Valley‘ article).
You could try a gift of an experience, day out or membership with one of the local outdoor or water sport venues in the valley Water Ski and sailing clubs, Denham Aerodrome, golf clubs, outdoor activity centres and museums.
We love the annual family pass to the Chiltern Open Air Museum with prices starting at £50 or an experience to the Batchworth Lock canal centre with a boat trip along the canal?
The annual £60 parking pass for the Buckinghamshire Country Parks (Black Park, Langley Park, Thorney Country Park and Denham Country Park) is a great way to encourage more days out. Take a look at our new “places to go page” for more ideas on how you can plan ahead to make the most of 2022 by keeping outdoor active.
Of course, Children love something to open and could enjoy gifts that will bring them closer to nature. So how about increasing their Vitamin N (Nature) in 2022 and buying them a kit to make a mini beast hotel or a bird box for their garden? For younger toddlers a more practicable gift could be some fun wellies or outdoor weatherproof clothing, so that they can explore the outside and nature whatever the weather. You could also consider a gift to increase their wildlife observation and bring them closer to nature with an annual subscription to the RSPB or oin your local wildlife Trust such as London Wildlife Trust, Herts and Middx Wildlife Trust, and Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trusts or perhaps some good quality paints, drawing kits or paper to help them get creative and relax with nature.
Good quality walking boots and waterproof jackets are a great gift for all and will encourage more outdoor walking to help boost healthy minds and bodies for the year ahead. You could even print them off some of our 18 circular walks to go with a gift.
Please also do consider gifting the Colne Valley Regional Park too with an annual friends membership for people who enjoy their local countryside, there are lots of benefits too.
You could make a donation to The Park here. Your donations are always gratefully received and make a valuable contribution to the work we do to enhance and protect your local countryside.
Whatever you choose to purchase we wish you happiness in your planning and a lovely Christmas holiday, with some fantastic winter walks! Don’t forget to try a few of our favourite Winter walks.
