I know I'm one of many people saying this (and cautiously), but I can't say enough how much brighter December 2021 feels than December 2020.

This time last year we partially and oh-so-carefully opened, but as infections continued rising, Christmas was cancelled for us just as much as everyone else.

This year, it's all go, with our Santa Specials returning for the next three Saturdays.

Keepers have worked hard to make it extra special, although I'm suspicious about the last item on the itinerary including homemade tea with Santa and his elves and animal handling.

I reckon 'Christmas cracker crafting for meerkats' was added on by the meerkats themselves!

I have been asked why we put on 'non serious' zoo extra events, and I must admit, when there's plenty on the daily jobs list, a meeting in August to discuss what we're doing for Christmas isn't always met with three cheers!

But they're important in many ways.

Just as nature follows the seasons, zoo attendance also rises in the school holidays, and we enjoy having lots of local and regular visitors as well as holidaymakers.

Since lockdown, meeting up and enjoying days out has taken on special significance for families, so it's lovely to surprise them with a new theme or activity (you can see hardworking parents relax as children dash off to investigate!)

Events often reflect days of significant ecological and zoological importance, such as Biodiversity Day, World Ocean's Week, and International Darwin Day.

Putting on extra talks, displays and zoo trails helps us introduce important conservation issues in a fun and inclusive way, ensuring the next generation engage with the natural world.

For example, the Santa afternoon trails around the zoo will 'paws' to watch the snow leopards get fed, a great opportunity to get close up and talk about these magnificent and endangered felines, whom I'm sure also love all the extra attention.

After chatting with Santa, I'm hoping children will leave with much more than just a present.

Inspiring the next Greta or Attenborough through mince pies and meerkats; that sounds like the perfect combination of naughty and nice!