Winter experiences at the V&A ...
Live jazz, date ideas, themed markets in the Waterfront
For Moments of Joy. Follow our social channels for useful news, daily local champions | |
![]() | 072 350 2062 |
![]() | Ideas Cartel, The Old Foundry, 1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point |
![]() | www.capetownmagazine.com/subscribe |
![]() | now@capetownmagazine.com |
![]() | CapeTownMag |
![]() | CapeTownMagazine.com |
![]() | capetownmag |
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
View this post on Instagram
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
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
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
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
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
View this post on Instagram
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
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
View this post on Instagram
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
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
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
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
View this post on Instagram
---
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.
---
Loved discovering this? Make sure you get our popular weekly newsletter. Follow and like us on Twitter ❤ Facebook ❤ LinkedIn ❤ Instagram ❤ Pinterest for updates.
Winter experiences at the V&A ...
Live jazz, date ideas, themed markets in the Waterfront
How to have an unforgettable 40th, 50th ...
Private chef and 3-course meals at a 5-suite manor
You can now book out this entire hotel ...
Infrared sauna, pool, special art, stunning rooms
We just found our next place for a ...
Cederkloof: Cottages with jacuzzi + house with pizza oven
Sumptuous Indian set menu for two
10 unique dishes (and MCC) at Bombay Brasserie
5 ways to transform your hair (with ...
Give your locks some love or change them completely
Where else do you get brunch for under R100 in Sea Point?
Intimate fine dining in an art gallery
A long-table experience with food, music, wine and art
Go for a drive to this apple farm in ...
From fresh food to farm cottages and fine dining evenings
A brewery with food specials for every ...
Burgers, schnitzels + curry specials at Woodstock Brewery
How healthy is your hair, really?
How to get a free diagnosis + R100 off your first visit
Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...
It's like your friend’s living room, just with 85 strains of weed
Local craft beer tasting even ...
Nine craft beers, small-batch Thursdays + a guide for beginners
Introducing the Whiskey Lounge
Tastings from around the world, guided by an ambassador
Meat appreciation platter at a ...
3 cuts of meat, sizzling side dishes + epic mad-scientist experience
Spirit tastings and unique cuts at this ...
Bring out your inner mad scientist: experiment with unique spirits + meat cuts
Holistic food + drink at this healthy ...
Sit under the trees and enjoy kombucha cocktails, vegan dishes + a sea view
Unconventional vegan dishes at this ...
From tofu tostadas and kombucha cocktails to MasterChef-level desserts
5 reasons to visit this beach-side ...
Never-ending summer of waffles, hotdogs, cocktails...
Our team’s top picks at the Waffle ...
Beach-side eatery is perfect for kids, adults and dogs alike
Book out this distillery for your next ...
Make your own at Distillers Union + get pizza
Ride Monster wheels in the Winelands ...
Scootours' Flow Trail is an adrenaline rush with berms, rollers, and a bush tunnel
Laid-back, lekker, and loud team ...
Food Jams is a party where cooking is only half the fun
The Festival of Yellow, celebrating the ...
10+ roadtrips to see canola fields. Plus getaway giveaway
Islands on the River is spring’s ...
4-day journey of music and connection at this festival
All the seasons of Cheverells Farm
Apple picking in summer and winter stay special
Boutique winery with 6 six cosy tasting nooks. Plus platters, picnics + trails