Christmas is around the corner and we could not be more excited about it! Cuddly mornings in bed, the little elf peering down from their shelf and daily updates from Father Christmas! It is the best holiday of the year and we will make no exception to 2020’s cheer.

We have scoured the city and crossed the countryside to bring your littles ones the very best in festive and eco-friendly activities.  

O Christmas tree…

… O Christmas tree…where do you end up each year?

Growing up in Canada, I used to love going to the tree farm with my father to choose and cut down our Christmas tree. The whole experience was magical and in the 80’s that was probably considered eco-friendly! Not anymore…

What happens to all of those trees? Every year we see them piled up at designated points throughout the city and off to the tip they go. According to Gov.uk an estimated 8 million Christmas trees are discarded each year, costing UK taxpayers roughly £22 million, let alone the environmental impact. That is an astounding amount of money, literally being thrown out.

We are delighted to have discovered London Christmas Tree Rental. This wonderful company was set up in 2018 in response to the astounding amount of waste I mentioned above.

It’s such as simple concept. Rent a real Christmas tree, enjoy it and water it over the holiday season, then return it. You will enjoy the same tree the following year! With prices starting from £37.95, it’s as easy as ordering Deliveroo, so no excuses.

And for your little ones, you can order a mini potted tree complete with decorations from Holly Berry Trees. A special surprise to make this Christmas that little ‘extra’ for them.

Bonkers for conkers and all things creative

The silver lining of a ‘Covid Christmas’ is we’re in the house with time on our hands. With seven weekends to go until Christmas, we’ve rounded up some great ways to prepare for a home-made holiday. Keep the kids collaborating while you are decorating!

Garlands galore

The conkers are hitting the ground all around us right now and kids love to collect them! Fill a bag and spend a cozy afternoon stringing them up into conker garland. You can add your own touch by painting them and including other beads or found objects. Have any leftovers? Check out Muddy Faces inspirations for other cool conker crafts!  Image: Pinterest

Make it memorable

Christmas is all about memories and we think the decorations on the tree are a lovely way to collect the memories. This year we are making Salt Dough ornaments with our little ones. It’s the simplest recipe and no matter your age, you can create something wonderful and memorable for all to admire hanging on the tree. Image: Pinterest

The Countdown is on

One of the highlights of Christmas is the chocolate countdown that store bought Advent calendars provide. This year, we are opting for a more personal approach. DIY Advent Calendars are making a come back and there with such a selection, even first time crafters can’t fail!

Image: redtri.com

Family fun day!

If you are ready to get outside and explore a little further afield, then our host of highlights below is the perfect starting point for a family fun day! Please note, however, that since we wrote this article, the lockdown conditions came into effect and some of the outdoor attractions may not open in December as expected. We will update this post as more information becomes available in December.

Skating in Surrey

Beaverbrook Hotel and Spa in the Surrey Hills was expected to open its ice rink in December, subject to further government guidelines. It’s first come first serve, so if the restrictions get lifted be sure to book in early.

Stanford Bridge Santa

Sharky and George, the well-known party entertainers are all ready to go with a new version of the famous Christmas Grotto based in Fulham due to open this December, subject to further lockdown regulations. Tickets will fly faster than reindeer, so be sure to enquire about availability early on.

Lapping it up at Lapland

Lapland UK is a Christmas classic that the whole family will love. Let the magic take you away for an elf-tastic day! Check back early in December, subject to latest government guidelines.

Celebrate in the spirit of Christmas

What about YOU this Christmas? While it’s all fun and games for the little ones, we know we’re all missing our friends and family. So we’ve got some fun, virtual entertainment activities and beautiful invitations for you to share the moment with your nearest and dearest. 

Fun with your friends

Fancy wreath making this Christmas with family and friends? It couldn’t be easier to plan with our virtual party invites and book with Posy & Wild through our site. And the best part is – they post all the materials to you and your guests in advance. So, it’s totally hassle-free. 

If you’re looking for something even more jolly, try your hand at a mixology class with Mike from Artisan Drinks. Perfect for a chin wag ahead of the holidays. 

Or maybe, it’s all about wellness this season? Feeling good, relaxed and in peace with your inner-self? Enjoy a guided meditation session with Reiki master practitioner, Anupa, from All in Sync.

We are also hosting some amazing virtual office parties this holiday season. Whether it’s your whole office or just your team, we highly recommend DJ Mister Fix to bring the party to you, virtually.  

Share the love

And we know you won’t forget to spread the joy a little further this year by inviting your guests to donate to one of our wonderful charity partners. We’re delighted to announce three new charities joining our celebrate & donate movement: Just a Drop, Mayhew Animal Home and The Shoebox Project for Women as our latest charity partners this Christmas. Click through the links to discover the amazing work they do for communities in the developing world, animal welfare and homeless women in London.

Last but not least…

We’ve teamed up with the chicest in fashion, interiors, baked goods and more to bring you our inaugural, “12 Kindergifts of Christmas” Giveaway”! Launching mid-November we will host 12 giveaways on our Instagram page. Whether you decide to keep it for your-self or give it to a loved one, make sure you enter to win one of our fabulous prizes!

We’re doing this to raise awareness for our mission and inspire more people to use the Christmas festivities as an opportunity to give back to our local communities, whether shopping from small businesses, volunteering at the local foodbank, celebrating for a good cause or simply donating to a grassroots charity. #kindergifts4christmas, #celebrate2donate

So, be sure to check out our Instagram page with plenty of inspiration for your Christmas shopping and ways to support our local communities.

Written with love: by Amelia Carter