Here’s how to spend Christmas in Cape ...
From lunches and carols to markets and meeting Santa
The CapeTownMagazine.com Gift Guide
Best UPSs for loadshedding, hotels nights, affordable luxury + 16 other gift ideas
Last updated: 13 December 2022
Good gifts surprise and delight. This year’s gifts – post-pandemic and in the middle of loadshedding and economic struggles – need to do one better, and also actually be useful. Which is why this year's Gift Guide is made possible by Gizzu, the brand that is solving South Africa's No.1 problem – loadshedding.
UPSs TO GET YOU THROUGH LOADSHEDDING – GIZZU
If there was an SA Best Gift of the year award: a UPS would win hands down. Our team tried out Gizzus to power wifi, lights, laptops, phones, TVs and Netflix during loadshedding. Many of the Gizzus do double duty, so you can take them camping, there’s even one that jump-starts your car, too. Read about these loadshedding solutions, tried and tested by the CapeTownMagazine.com team.
Price: From R998 for the 30W Mini UPS
Buy: Order any of the UPS devices for load-shedding on Takealot
Follow on Instagram: @gizzu_za | Image: Gizzu
FOR OFFICE SECRET SANTA – KWAITO KOEKSISTER
You have just R50 to spend. Find funky, artsy accessories that you won’t find in an ordinary retail store. From unisex rocker t-shirts and Nik Naks earrings to a mug for every mood.
Our digital editor Lara loves: The entire Stranger Things section at Kwato Koeksister
Price: From R44 for iron-on patches
Buy: From Kwaito Koeksister online
Follow on Instagram: @kwaitokoeksister | Image: Kwaito Koeksister
GIVE-ME-VEGAN OR GIVE-ME-DEATH – APOTHACAFE
Dessert-inspired vegan candles and diffusers. Scented candles packaged as chocolate bars, macarons, croissants and even a breakfast smoothie.
Good to know: Order before 20 December. Takes 4-5 business days to process + ship
Price: From R100 for a chocolate bar candle
Buy: Get it from Apothacafe
Follow on Instagram: @apothecafe | Image: Apothacafe
FOR AVID TRAVELLERS, BUSINESS PEOPLE – PROKARD
Free hotel nights, a number of 2-for-1 stays, up to 50% off on food bills, and you can share it with friends.
Each CapeTownMag team has one: All of us love the benefits so much, we organised a 30% discount for every CapeTownmagazine.com reader.
Price: R1,850 a year; R1,295 with our reader discount of 30%
Join: From Prokard Explorer website
Follow on Instagram: @marriotthotels | Image: Marriott Hotel
A TREAT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – AGAINST THE GRAIN
This halaal café in Bo-Kaap makes some really special Cape Malay dishes. Get freshly made koesisters from Against the Grain – made by owner Gesant Abed’s mother.
Founder Marcus orders after Sunday morning hikes: “Some of the best koesisters in town.”
Price: R90 for a dozen, pre-order on Whatsapp: 081 015 6185
Buy: In-store,102 Wale Street in Bo-Kaap (above Deluxe Coffeeworks)
102 Wale Street | Bo-Kaap | Follow on Instagram: @againstthegraincoffeeco | Image: Against the Grain
FOR THOSE WANTING TO LEARN - GET SMARTER
Know someone who’s looking to make a career change or to grow their skills in 2023? Or maybe this is a gift you’d like to give yourself. Get Smarter offers flexible courses from some of the world’s leading universities in a number of areas, including project management, digital marketing, business management and graphic design.
Good to know: Register and pay for any UCT online course before 31 Jan 2023 and use UCTLEAP20 to get 20% off.
Price: From R14,900 (installment plans available)
Register: Here
Follow on Instagram: @getsmarter_online | Image: Get Smarter
IF THEY’RE MAD ABOUT HATS – THE REAL CRYSTAL BIRCH
An award-winning brand and the go-to for all things hat – boleros, boaters, fedoras, peaks, beanies and even a classic Jackie O. pillbox.
Good to know: There are funky mini hats for kids
Price: From R980 for a straw bucket hat
Buy: In-store, 1st floor 42 Newmarket Street in Cape Town or shop online
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FOR FANCY, FOODIE OVERSEAS GUESTS – HOLO WINES
A quintessentially South African brand with a vision of ubuntu – this is a great gift for wine-collecting visitors or relatives.
Our founder Marcus is a fan of: The Saranya, a red blend with aromas of plums, mulberries and warm spices
Price: Single bottles start at R250
Buy: Checkers, Pick n Pay, Tops or online with Holo Wines
Follow on Instagram: @holowines | Image: Holo Wines
AFFORDABLE + STILL CUTE ATHLEISURE – GYM NERD
Quality sports bras for about R300, men’s gym tops for under R400 and all made in South Africa. Good quality, local and more affordable than big brand names.
Note: Order 10 days before Christmas to get your gift in time
Price: From R219 for sports bras and R351 for vests
Shop: From Gymnerd online
Follow on Instagram: @gymnerdcpt | Image: Gym Nerd
SWEETS FROM THE UK, US, TURKEY – THE SWEET SPOT
Make sweet hampers filled with international sweets like Reese’s cups, Sour Patch Kids and Mexican chamoy-mixed candy from this store in Bo-Kaap.
Our content manager Simone is excited about: Making some sweet stocking fillers
Price: R35 for a Rip Rolls
Buy: In store at 97 Church Street in Bo-Kaap, open daily
97 Church Street | Bokaap | Cape Town | 071 369 6280 | Follow on Instagram: @thesweetspot.cpt | Image: Sarah Jarvis
PREGNANT AND MISSING THOSE G&Ts – THE DUCHESS
No FOMO. The Duchess range, which started with the alcohol-free gin & tonic, is low in sugar. Crisp in flavour, they come in botanical or floral flavours.
Our editor-in-chief Joonji drank it through her pregnancy: They saved her from too-sweet soft drinks, and they do not have an artificial taste.
Price: From R350 for a pack of 24
Where to get it: Buy it in bulk on Takealot
Follow on Instagram @drinktheduchess | Image: The Duchess
PIMPED-OUT SOCKS (AND TIGHTS) – FEAT SOCK CO.
Socks as a gift? When they’re this whimsical and wonderful, yes. Find socks and tights with springbok, sunflower, watermelon and yacht designs. (p.s. They also sell stationery and greeting cards.)
Our editorial intern Julia is eyeing: Their nature-themed weekly planners for 2023
Price: Socks start at R142 a pair
Buy: From Feat Sock Co. online
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EVERYDAY PRODUCTS THAT SAVE THE PLANET – FAIRTRADE
Get Rwandan coffee, tea or a case of red, white or vegan-friendly wine endorsed by Fairtrade. By choosing Fairtrade products, you can help farming communities improve their lives.
Good to know: You could win a weekend winelands getaway by doing this 2-minute Fairtrade quiz
Price: From R99 for Rwandan coffee beans
Buy: Buy here
Follow on Instagram: @fairtrade_africa | Image: Fairtrade
FANCY SOAPS FOR AUNTIE + OUMA – AUNTIE CLARA
A range of moisturising handcrafted soaps that are gentle on the skin, with scents like mojito or hazelnut nougat, plus buttermilk baby soap for toddlers.
Good to know: Handcrafted soap is gentler and more conditioning than industrial soap.
Price: Most products are R70
Buy: Shop Auntie Clara's online
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LUXURY CHOCOLATE FOR A SWEETHEART – HIPPOLYTAS
The 26-piece Experience Kit of five perfect pralines in all kinds of chocolates and flavours is such a thoughtful gift. Includes truffles in Graham Beck Champagne, Cookie Dough, Key Lime Pie and more flavours.
Good to know: The chocolates come in a beautiful compact box, like a ready-made gift.
Price: R395 for the 26-piece box
Buy: At the V&A Food Market, Canal Walk or shop online
Follow on Instagram: @hippolytaschocolate | Image: Hippolytas
FOR THAT FASHIONISTA FRIEND – NJE CURATED FASHION
Upmarket, daring patterns and designs. From athleisure to 3-in-1 capes, Nje has a mix of classic and bold clothes.
Editor-in-chief Joonji owns: A few items, from a button-down trench skirt to pink high-waisted pink bell bottoms.
Price: From R1200 for a dress
Buy: In store at Village Shop O39 Cape Quarter (27 Somerset Road, Greenpoint)
View this post on Instagram
DISCOUNT FOR DAREDEVILS – WHITE SHARK DIVING
Gift a bucket-list adventure in the great white capital of the world,. Use our discount code “CAPETOWNMAG” and get R400 off a shark-cage diving tour.
Good to know: White Shark Diving Company (WSDC), the number 1 adventure experience in Gansbaai, according to TripAdvisor reviews.
Price: Discounted rate of R1800 pp (R2200 normally)
Buy: Book online with White Shark Diving Company
Follow on Instagram: @whitesharkco | Image: WSCD
THE ULTIMATE SPOIL – CAROL BOUWER BAGS
A bespoke range of handbags made with raw African materials by powerful women and inspired by powerful women like Esther Mahlangu.
Good to know: Bags are made from ethically sourced exotic leather
Price: From R18 000 for the Katy Bag
Buy: Online with Carol Bouwer Bags
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DISCOVER MORE DECEMBER SPIRIT
Check out these festive Christmas events.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a bang.
And make the most out of New Year’s Day.
Discover +7 things to do this weekend.
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