It is that time of year again – midwinter, the darkest day, the longest night and for many a time of magic and festivals of light. To that end, rather than talk about Santa, I wanted to share with you what I hope could become a new family tradition for us all.

Whereas last year I shared with you the Icelandic Tradition of Jolabokaflod – the buying of books for gifts on Yule Evening – this year I am suggesting something to get us outdoors and into nature.

Many Arboretums across the region are now offering wonderful events called Winter Wonderland, Magical Christmas Festival or something along those lines.

I recently bought a membership to a local Arboretum and am already planning my first visit to their festival of light. It is a great family event and I can’t believe it has taken me so long to get there. To make up for this, I am inviting my grown up children to join us, and taking a friend and his two under 10s so we can really enjoy the kids’ faces.

I find trees magical at any time of year, but add in a light show, characters in costumes, music, food stalls, mulled wine, hot chocolate, burgers and pork rolls, and you have a true festival atmosphere.

Creating a true sense of excitement in the run up to Christmas

I love trees even more than books and cannot think of anything more magical than sharing nature with the children, enhancing their knowledge of the natural world and creating a true sense of excitement in the run up to Christmas.

I love that it then leads to a different type of gifting. In my mind, kids who love nature will appreciate practical gifts like books, pens, science kits, art kits and craft activities.

A child at home in nature is less likely to get their fix from pink or blue plastic, and in this modern world we really do need to help our kids understand about environmental impacts of gift giving.

It’s not hard to see that the joy of nature, coupled with a gift of warm gloves, colourful welly boots, a bike or scooter, camera, magnifying glass, bird feeders, etc. can set an imaginative child off on a life of love for the natural world. And as our futures really do lie in the hands of the children, can there be a better gift to give them than a love for the world they are a part of?

The only caveat to this approach, of course, is you must accept being lectured by your nine year old about recycling, running the tap when cleaning your teeth and not reusing your carrier bags at the supermarket! Add in a side order of potential vegetarianism and a sudden passion for saving the badgers, and you have your own Acme Instant Climate Activist.

But that’s a small price to pay for a better future, wouldn’t you say?