Spending time on a farm at Christmas is a fantastic way for children to develop an appreciation of the countryside. To keep them engaged on winter walks, choose a stocking filler that slips easily into a pocket or backpack and gives them something to do as they stroll.
Although most of us now have a map on our smartphones, a compass is a fun and practical way to introduce children to geography, geometry, and navigation. Taking along a compass can turn an ordinary country walk into a mini adventure, encouraging children to work out where they are and which direction they need to go.
A pocket-sized magnifying glass is another inexpensive option. It encourages children to put down their screens and take a close look at insects, leaves, rocks, and, over Christmas, frost and ice patterns. Budget-friendly and easy to carry, it is a piece of kit they can return to time and again.
Older children with an interest in wildlife will appreciate a compact pair of binoculars, allowing them to observe birds and animals up close. Binoculars can also help develop hand-to-eye coordination, patience, and concentration. Avoid anything marketed specifically as a toy, however, as these are more likely to produce blurry images, which can cause eye strain and quickly frustrate children. A decent pair of child-friendly binoculars could instead help nurture an interest in wildlife that lasts a lifetime.
A pocket-sized book makes a wonderful stocking filler, and something children can enjoy while on holiday and return to for many years to come. There are plenty of charming books about farm life, such as Who’s Hiding on the Farm? from the National Trust, where little ones can discover a host of animals hiding behind bushes, hay bales, and barn doors.
To encourage children to take an interest in the natural world around them, the RSPB has a good selection of reference and nature activity books, as well as a small range of identification charts. Popular titles include A Little Bird Told Me, a collection of fascinating facts about birds, and the Pocket Guide to British Birds.
Or choose something vintage, such as a title from the Ladybird Nature Series. Launched in the 1950s and 1960s, the collection is celebrated for its accessible natural history text and detailed, full-page watercolour illustrations by renowned wildlife artists. For older children (and grown ups too), vintage Observer’s Books are an excellent choice, with nature-themed titles covering subjects such as British Birds, Trees and Shrubs, Common Fungi, and Wild Animals. Look for editions published before 1969, which have a plain paper dust jacket.
Younger children will love receiving their first Beatrix Potter book, and beginning a collection of their own. You can’t go wrong with the classic The Tale of Peter Rabbit reflecting English rural life through an anthropomorphic lens and its iconic, whimsical illustrations. For something more festive, try one of the reworked versions, such as Happy Christmas, Peter, a lift-the-flap board book, or The Christmas Star, which follows Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter as they try to mend the broker Christmas tree star before Father Christmas comes to visit.
Everyone needs their own mug, and a stocking filler is the perfect excuse to give someone a special one they’ll cherish and use for years to come.
Rather than choosing an overtly Christmassy design that will spend most of the year at the back of the cupboard, look for something with a countryside theme that feels festive without being tied to the season. We love Price & Kensington’s hand-painted Woodland collection, which features two charming designs, a hedgehog and a fox. For something a little more special, Emma Bridgewater’s 1/2 pint mugs are a British classic, with seasonal designs including Farmyard, Foraging, Fruit & Veg, and Diddly Squat Farm.
For children, fill their mug with a small bar of good-quality chocolate, a packet of marshmallows, and a couple of cinnamon sticks. For grown-ups, add a sachet of their favourite coffee alongside a miniature bottle of brandy. Guaranteed, they’ll be downstairs switching the kettle on before the alarm goes off.
Back in Lapland, the elves are kept extra busy throughout the year keeping up with the number of socks Father Christmas has to deliver. Luckily, there’s no shortage of lovely pairs to choose from.
For children, take a look at Totes, which makes a brilliant range of cosy slipper socks in soft, breathable fabrics that stay securely in place whether they’re running, jumping, or relaxing at home. Christmas designs include gingerbread men, reindeer, and festive mice, while the fluffy bed socks are perfect for keeping little feet warm on chilly winter nights.
Socks aren’t just for Christmas, and serious walkers will appreciate a high-quality pair of merino wool socks. Naturally temperature-regulating, merino wool helps keep feet warm when wet, cool when temperatures rise, and fresh by reducing odour. Look for brands that have been road-tested by hikers, such as Darn Tough, YUEDGE, and Wide Open.
For gardeners, the RHS has a beautiful range of socks inspired by the Lindley Collections, the world’s largest horticultural library. Options include gentle-grip socks and thermal wellington boot socks for both men and women, practical gifts that will be put to good use all year round.
Unless carefully chosen, wrapping up bubble bath, bath bombs, or hand wash for Christmas can feel like a disappointing afterthought. But there’s something about a bar of soap that feels perfectly suited to the countryside. Sturdy, simple, and economical, modern soaps are a far cry from the drying bars of years gone by, while the pretty packaging many come in will brighten up the bathroom and fill the air with a lovely fragrance.
Nesti Dante is a renowned Italian brand, celebrated for its triple-milled soaps, traditional methods, and use of fine natural ingredients. Favourites include Pomegranate & Blackcurrant, Myrtle-Leaved Orange, and Cherry Blossom & Basil.
Handcrafted with vitamins selected for their restorative and antioxidant properties, Heyland & Whittle’s soaps include uplifting Herbal Mint, deep-cleansing Tea Tree & Nettle, and soothing English Lavender. The brand also has a collection of diffusers and candles in complementary fragrances, making it easy to build a matching set.
For anyone who spends their days outdoors and comes home particularly grubby, a bar of Farmer’s Carbolic Hand Soap is a brilliant choice. This exfoliating soap contains ground walnut shell alongside the disinfecting properties of carbolic, making it an old-fashioned but highly effective cleanser for hardworking hands.
Gardeners are inundated with gardening gloves, balls of twine, and secateurs at this time of year, so instead choose something a little more thoughtful that will encourage wildlife into their garden.
A tin of Seedballs is just the right size for a stocking and makes a fun gift for children and adults alike. Filled with wildflower seeds chosen to attract bees, butterflies, beetles, and birds, they simply need to be scattered on the ground with no digging required.
Gifts for feeding wild birds are another lovely idea. Add a jar of Flutter Butter, a specially formulated peanut butter for feeding birds through the cold winter months, a small bag of fat balls or suet treats, or some Peckish Robin Food. Just be mindful when giving bird food to very young children, who may decide the treats are intended for them rather than the birds.
Although they’ll have to wait a couple of months before they can sow it, a grow-your-own sunflower kit is another good choice for children. They’ll have great fun watching their sunflower grow taller than them over the summer, while bringing back memories of their Christmas in the countryside.
