Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
30th November 2019
Go the Whole Hog at Christmas
After great feedback from readers about last week’s Christmas present recommendations for the people who are difficult to buy for, here are a few more suggestions. I am always reluctant to do anything Christmassy before December, but appreciate some things take time to arrange.
After rescuing a hedgehog a few weeks ago, and learning that Hedgehog Helpline Cymru is currently caring for an unprecedented amount of poorly hedgehogs – 211 at the last count, ranging from orphaned hoglets to injured adults – can I please encourage you to support them, and the hedgehogs, this Christmas by gifting a ‘Hedgehog Care Package’ for just £25, or putting it on your own Christmas list.
You, or your recipient, will receive a personalised Hedgehog card and certificate, either sent to you to pass on, or sent directly to the recipient. Your gift will help cover the cost of looking after orphaned, sick and injured hedgehogs in care. Every penny will be spent on the hedgehogs as everyone involved with the charity does so on a voluntary basis, meaning there are no admin cost incurred.
For more details please pop into www.hedgehoghelplinecymru.org.uk or email finance@hedgehoghelplinecyrmru.org.uk.
Harness the Goodwill
If you have a friend who worships their pet, why not consider buying a present for the pet, which will also benefit your friend or relative? Earlier this year, I spent most of my birthday money on a new bed for Yogi, and more recently an unexpected financial gift was recycled into a fabulous Flagline harness for her, from Ruffwear. Ruffwear make fabulous harnesses with the dog’s natural movement in mind.
Flagline is a new design and it fits Yogi perfectly, as she is ‘on the cusp’ for a lot of products. It allows a full range of movement for her shoulders, which a lot of harnesses don’t, and which is essential for the biomechanical health of your dog.
I absolutely love the handle on the back of the harness which helps me to help Yogi up steps, over fallen logs and obstacles and into the truck, after her cruciate ligament problems. For more details and lots of other gift ideas visit www.ruffwear.co.uk.
I would much rather someone buy something for Yogi, which we will both get a lot of use out of, than something for me which would be put in the cupboard. I’m sure most pet-lovers feel the same.
Another fabulous but unusual gift that I would highly recommend is the Automatic Chicken Door Opener from ChickenGuard. It is the present that keeps on giving as I don’t have to go out in the rain to shut my chickens in during the winter or wait for them to go to bed before I can in the summer. www.chickenguard.co.uk.
Or what about membership to the National Trust, where you or your recipient will receive free entry to over 500 fab’luss places, free parking at most National Trust car parks, a National Trust Handbook full of ideas to help you plan a visit, the National Trust Magazine sent to you three times a year and regular newsletters sent straight to your inbox. www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Think ‘useful’, rather than just adding to someone’s clutter – maybe a rail card, a course/voucher to learn something new and creative, a gardener for a day, a manicurist to come to the house for someone who is housebound, gym membership, personal trainer sessions, bird food for a friend or relative who loves feeding the birds, or even a delivery of logs for the woodburner – I remember my dad buying me half a ton of coal when I was trying to juggle all the bills (and keep warm) in my first home. Unconventional and unwrappable, but it was probably one of the most useful gifts I’ve ever had!
Have some fun thinking about something that will add to someone’s quality of life rather than just clicking on ‘add to basket’.
And of course – last but not least – you could gift one of my books.
Choose from Barefoot and Before, Allbutt’s Almanac, Celebrity Chit Chat or Personali-trees, all very different but all entertaining, informative and real conversation starters!
They are available from Book-ish in Crickhowell or ‘add to basket’ (!) on Amazon.
For more details pop into here.
Avoid Slip Ups
Unless it is your livelihood, there will be fewer jobs to do in the garden this month. But do endeavor to keep paths and steps clear of leaves, for safety, as they get so slippery when wet.
Flagstone paths and patios can also feel more like skating rinks during the wet, winter weather. After using it for the last few years, I can highly recommend Patio Magic, which does a great job and makes paths and steps far less lethal. It kills mould, algae and mildew within 2-3 days, has a secondary slow-acting cleaning effect on many surfaces, and normally helps to prevent re-growth for many months. There is no need to scrub or pressure wash, and it is easy to apply with a sprayer or watering can.
You’ll need to keep pets off the treated surfaces until they are dry (if they accidentally walk or sit on the wet surfaces, then promptly rinse their paws or fur in clean water) but once the surfaces have first dried after treatment, they will be entirely safe for pets – and much safer for humans too!
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