By Alice Ashcroft, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT)

DECEMBER is upon us, and Christmas is fast approaching. Finding thoughtful gifts for loved ones can be challenging, but if you’re looking to buy for the nature lover in your life, look no further! Our online shop is jam-packed full of wildlife inspired gifts. Here are eight of the best...

1. For the wildlife protector

Wildlife Trust Membership is a truly wonderful gift that helps us ensure that wildlife has a home in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Your loved one will receive a welcome pack, and the warm feeling that comes with knowing that your gift to them has helped local wildlife.

2. For the wildlife gardener

Clean those hard working hands with locally made New Forest Aromatics Gardener’s Hand Scrub and Balm, and soothe sore skin with Cyril’s Soap Shed Goats Milk soaps.

3. For the young explorer

Encourage their curiosity about all things wild and wriggly with our sturdy mega bug viewer, large enough to use for pond dipping and kind enough to provide air holes for the tiny creatures discovered. Extend their view with the Looky Periscope, ideal for watching wildlife.

4. For the walker

There are few things better than a walk on a beautiful day. Our Wildlife Walks book details over 500 walks on Wildlife Trust reserves throughout the UK. The Walkers’ Companion rug from Tweedmill makes the perfect accompaniment.

5. For the wildlife photographer

Wildlife photography can be tricky, so if you know an amateur photographer treat them to a course where they can learn the basics. They will discover how to best capture trickier subjects like insects, flowers and birds with our excellent tutor John Combes at Blashford Lakes.

6. For the night owl

As our day ends, a new, secretive one starts for some of our more elusive wildlife. See what they get up to with a range of night vision optics and trail cameras from NHBS. For every order you make via our online shop, we are paid a percentage of the profit. Don’t forget our brilliant Astronomy for Beginners course run by local astronomer Steve Tonkin.

7. For the stylish home

A colourful range of wildlife art, created by artist Daniel Mackie, is now available on tea towels and coasters – ideal for the creative kitchen. We also have Daniel’s notebooks with beautifully illustrated covers. Our Wild Food Foraging course in autumn 2019 is the perfect gift for a foodie, and you can make sure they have a cosy home to come back to with one of Tweedmill’s pure wool throws.

8. For the wildlife artist and crafter

We have some lovely wildlife-themed needle felting and embroidery kits from Hawthorn Handmade, ideal for beginners and improvers. We also run silver clay jewellery and glass workshops with local artists.

You can buy any of the items listed above at our online shop: https://shop.hiwwt.org.uk/