{"id":58911,"title":"A kinder festive season","description":"Thoughtful gifts, reused wrapping and room for different traditions. Five simple ways to make the festive season kinder to others and yourself.","content":"

\"OurImage: A little <\/em>penguin<\/u><\/em><\/a> kindness, ready to give.<\/em><\/p>

A gift that shows someone you\u2019ve noticed what they love. An invitation with room to say no. A little less wrapping to wrestle into the bin. Kindness can be part of the festivities in all sorts of ways.<\/strong><\/p>

Different traditions give this season different meanings. Some of us are celebrating, some are enjoying a break, and others would rather carry on as usual. There\u2019s room for all of that.<\/p>

Here are five small ways to bring a little more kindness to the season\u2026<\/p>

Give with someone in mind<\/h2>

Before choosing a gift, think about the person\u2019s everyday pleasures. What do they enjoy? What would they use? Is there something they\u2019ve mentioned wanting?<\/p>

A second-hand book with a note inside, something homemade or a planned afternoon together can feel wonderfully personal. Agreeing a spending limit (or agreeing not to exchange gifts) can be thoughtful too.<\/p>

And if their particular enthusiasm happens to be penguins, you\u2019re in the right place!<\/p>

Let the wrapping have another outing<\/h2>

Use the gift bags, boxes and paper you already have before buying more. A saved ribbon or a handwritten tag can make a familiar package feel special again.<\/p>

A useful tote<\/u><\/a> can also become part of the present, carrying it through the celebrations and the everyday errands afterwards.<\/p>

And let\u2019s be honest\u2026 there\u2019s no requirement for immaculate corners. Especially around a mug<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>

\"Our<\/u><\/a>Image: Our <\/em>penguin colony mug<\/u><\/em><\/a> is perfect for a hot festive brew (or mulled wine!).<\/em><\/p>

Make room for different ways of joining in<\/h2>

If you\u2019re gathering people together, ask what would help them feel welcome. That might mean checking dietary needs, offering an alcohol-free drink or finding somewhere quieter to sit.<\/p>

Ask what people celebrate rather than assuming, too. And let an invitation be an invitation: someone leaving early or declining may simply be doing what works for them (does anyone else resonate with \u201cLive, laugh, leave by 9pm!\u201d?!).<\/p>

Offer a little company<\/h2>

The season can bring joy, but it can also sharpen feelings of loss or loneliness.<\/p>

A personal message, a phone call or an offer of a walk can open the door to some company. Leave room for an honest answer to \u201cHow are you?\u201d - and for someone who would prefer a little space.<\/p>

Leave yourself some breathing room<\/h2>

You\u2019re allowed to enjoy the parts you love and simplify the rest.<\/p>

Wear something<\/u><\/a> you already feel good in. Reuse the decorations. Leave an afternoon unplanned. Step outside and see which birds are about (I highly recommend the free Merlin bird ID app for that!).<\/p>

A celebration doesn\u2019t need to exhaust you to count as a celebration!<\/p>

A little penguin kindness<\/h2>

If you are choosing a gift for a penguin admirer, our clothing, gifts and art feature distinctive illustrations based on original wildlife photography<\/strong>.<\/p>

Explore the shop<\/u><\/strong><\/a> for a penguin they\u2019ll enjoy long after the festivities.<\/strong><\/p>

10% of profits donated to penguin conservation.<\/strong><\/p>

However you spend the season, I hope there\u2019s room for something you enjoy\u2026 and a little kindness for yourself as well.<\/p>

Darren<\/strong>
Founder & Head Penguin<\/em><\/p>

\"Rockhopper<\/u><\/a>Image: Why not put <\/em>a little penguin <\/u><\/em><\/a>in someone\u2019s festive season!<\/em><\/p>","urlTitle":"kinder-festive-season","url":"\/blog\/kinder-festive-season\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/kinder-festive-season\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/kindpenguins.com\/blog\/kinder-festive-season\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1793028160,"updatedAt":1793033154,"publishedAt":1793033154,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":53088,"name":"The Kind Penguins"},"tags":[{"id":896,"code":"kindness","name":"Kindness","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/kindness\/"},{"id":898,"code":"wellbeing","name":"Wellbeing","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/wellbeing\/"},{"id":4733,"code":"gifting","name":"Gifting","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/gifting\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pyovdh1xdoyd2ogk9hgtunazyzicdssxhcssa2ydutqube2q.jpeg?z=1.2&fx=0.44477054673116&fy=0.58333333333333","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pyovdh1xdoyd2ogk9hgtunazyzicdssxhcssa2ydutqube2q.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.2&fx=0.44477054673116&fy=0.58333333333333","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pyovdh1xdoyd2ogk9hgtunazyzicdssxhcssa2ydutqube2q.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.2&fx=0.44477054673116&fy=0.58333333333333"},"metaTitle":"A Kinder Festive Season | Kind Penguins","metaDescription":"Explore simple ideas for a kinder festive season, from thoughtful gifts and reusable wrapping to welcoming others and giving yourself some breathing room.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":58906,"title":"SANCCOB: The penguin charity that means so much to me","url":"\/blog\/supporting-sanccob\/","urlTitle":"supporting-sanccob","division":53088,"description":"Meet the penguins that made SANCCOB personal to me, discover its conservation work and find out how you can help African penguins.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hu9ftrprwfcxfuggv240niaw5wuqzhlvu3ldpkmexfk1b57j.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hu9ftrprwfcxfuggv240niaw5wuqzhlvu3ldpkmexfk1b57j.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":58892,"title":"Our story","url":"\/blog\/our-story\/","urlTitle":"our-story","division":53088,"description":"How two months volunteering with African penguins in South Africa led to Kind Penguins, a little wildlife-inspired venture with kindness at its heart.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/tms1yxahzzuj9swnkacqixko1xs3adgumm38namxqflakinz.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.2&fx=0.53602177074946&fy=0.41666666666667","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/tms1yxahzzuj9swnkacqixko1xs3adgumm38namxqflakinz.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.2&fx=0.53602177074946&fy=0.41666666666667"},"hidden":0},{"id":58910,"title":"King Penguins: Worth the winter trip","url":"\/blog\/king-penguins\/","urlTitle":"king-penguins","division":53088,"description":"An early January visit to Edinburgh Zoo led to our king penguin artwork. Meet the birds, discover their remarkable parenting and explore the designs.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/volmankdbpzv8wkix1h1jrnqiig6ygwfw5ahyoptrrdzz6cj.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.3&fx=0.56808239438966&fy=0.38461538461538","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/volmankdbpzv8wkix1h1jrnqiig6ygwfw5ahyoptrrdzz6cj.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.3&fx=0.56808239438966&fy=0.38461538461538"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}