Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust: Go wild for the 12 days of Christmas this season
The festive season is often a time to observe traditions, and traditions linked to the 12 Days of Christmas stretch back across the millennia, writes Erin McDaid, of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
With echoes of the Roman festival of Saturnalia, honouring the god of agriculture, to ancient winter solstice celebrations, the period has long been marked with merriment aimed at bringing cheer just as the long, dark days of winter gradually begin to lengthen.
Celebrations at this time of year really got into their stride during medieval times, often extending across the full 12 days — typically Christmas Eve to January 6 — at a time when people were able to take a much-needed rest thanks to the relative let up in agricultural tasks afforded in mid-winter.
While I always try to take an extended break over Christmas and New Year, few people now take such an extended holiday, but many still mark the ‘12 days’ by leaving Christmas lights up until the January 6.
The tradition is also still marked in the eponymous 12 Days Of Christmas song.
Many of the lyrics, from the four ‘calling’ birds, usually taken to be blackbirds, to the ‘swans a swimming’ and iconic ‘partridge in a pear tree’ all link to nature.
Natural decorations such as holly and mistletoe have also managed to retain their prominence among the proliferation of fairy lights and tinsel used to mark our ever more ’blingy’ festive season and the wildlife trusts are calling on people to mark this special time by celebrating and connecting with nature.
Twleve Wild Days is our annual festive nature challenge designed to encourage folk to do one wild thing each day from December 25 to January 6.
During those quiet days between Christmas and New Year, a host of winter wildlife is just waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
Your choice of wild acts could be small things to help nature, such as recycling your Christmas tree or feeding the birds.
Or different ways to connect with the natural world, from enjoying a walk with friends on a frosty morning to taking advantage of a cloud-free evening to do a spot of stargazing to clear your head.
There are so many different things you could do, from making this Christmas your most eco-friendly yet, by giving planet friendly presents, choosing items with less packaging, making gifts yourself, or taking a wildlife walk.
If your family already has a tradition of going for a walk after their Christmas meal or on other holidays such as Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, make sure to head somewhere you can see wildlife.
There’s so much to see from winter wildfowl to spectacular starling murmurations and early displays of snowdrops — so make sure to take at least one wildlife walk during the 12 days.
Life can be hard for wildlife in winter with many creatures spending more of the short days in search of food.
While challenging for the animals, this heightened activity provides us with plenty of opportunities observe wildlife — from colourful waxwings stripping trees of their berries to squirrels and jays seeking out acorns and other treats stashed during the abundance of autumn.
Not all wildlife is as easy to spot but winter is a great time to look out for signs such as fur, droppings and tracks.
Tracks are easy to spot in the mud, and there’s plenty of that around now, and even easier to spot after a dusting of snow.
Food has always had a central role in the festive season but remember to plan your meals now to cut down on waste.
This will also save you money at what can be difficult time of year.
Rustling up a meal with Christmas leftovers is a great tradition and one which we can take into 2024 to cut future food waste and bills.
If you can, shop locally to cut down on food miles. Items bought from local suppliers and markets often come with less packaging.
You could also make a New Year’s resolution to add a meat-free day each week or sign up for a local veg box delivery.
Whatever your traditions and plans, make the coming festive season a little wilder.
