Nature Canada

Holiday Gifts to Nurture Nature

Ellen Jakubowski, Guest Blogger

Ellen Jakubowski,
Guest Blogger

This blog is written by guest blogger Ellen Jakubowski. 

As the holidays draw near, here are 40 ideas to help the planet, trim the waste, AND please everyone on your list.

Sparrow at a bird feeder

For kids:

  • License to learn: Give a membership to a young naturalist’s club, museum, or science centre.
  • Feed fascination: Birdfeeders lead to exciting observations, which could spark a lifelong love of nature.
  • Play green: Browse toys and games at craft fairs or online at The 100-Mile Child, Abby Sprouts, or Grassroots.

For outdoor adventurers:

  • Park pass: Parks Canada offers a free pass to youth to national parks. Provincial parks and conservation authorities also sell passes for a more local exploring gift.
  • Something new: Sign them up for a photography or identification workshop, or a day of ziplining, whitewater rafting, or rock climbing.
  • Tools: You can never have too many field guides! And a Rite-in-the-Rain Journal is perfect for taking notes.

For music lovers:

  • Tickets: Treat them to a big-name act or an intimate show at a local bar or restaurant.
  • Gift certificates: Help them fill out their collection with a card for iTunes.
  • Gear: Check out various types of headphones and audio systems and Hipcycle‘s upcycled vinyl accessories and decor.

For bookworms:

Photo of a garden plot by John Lord

For foodies:

For trend setters:

  • Vintage: Browse these online retailers for unique, preloved pieces of clothing and jewelry.
  • Hand-made: Craft fairs and Etsy are great places to fine one-of-a kind garments and accessories made from sustainably-sourced materials.
  • Tree chic: Tentree.com aids global reforestation by planting ten trees for every item purchased.

For homeowners:

  • Save birds: This tried-and-true window applications will help bird-lovers protect feathered friends from collisions.
  • Save water: Ecofitt’s deluxe water saving kit is great for those resolving to reduce their eco-footprint.
  • Green it up: Make a DIY terrarium, or purchase a Tree Seed Kit so your favourite tree-hugger can enjoy a live white spruce for years to come.Photo of a Tree Seed Kit

For pets:

  • Toys: West Paw Design has a wide range of eco-friendly toys and a dog toy recycling program. Or, make your own dog or cat toys!
  • Togs: Dog apparel from Eco-pup is eco-friendly, fashion-forward, and made in Canada.
  • Time: Playtime galore is better than any gift money can buy!

For philanthropists:

  • Donations: Some people truly enjoy giving more than receiving! Why not honour someone’s love for nature by giving to Nature Canada on their behalf?

Wrap responsibly:

 Sew or buy reusable fabric bags or get creative with fabric scraps, used maps, and last year’s bags, boxes and tins. Label with tags cut from old holiday cards.

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