From festive feasts to family traditions, our cover stars share their favourite holiday moments, treats and wishes for the season.
Jemma van Breda
Favourite Christmas tradition:
A swim in the sea on Christmas morning.
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
It’s not Christmas unless you’re eating litchis by the pool.
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
Japanese Squeeze by Sashamon. It’s not a traditional Christmas song, but it feels like Hawaii, and Durban in December is basically Hawaii, let’s be honest!
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
No list for me. Christmas is about giving, not getting.
One goal or dream you’d love to tick off in 2026:
Creating a sustainable home for Arts & Culture innovation and development. That’s the big one.
Lil Bianchi
Favourite Christmas tradition:
I would absolutely have to say eating like I’m carb-loading for a marathon I never signed up for, alongside seeing how many Quality Street chocolates I can eat before anyone notices the tin is empty.
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
I’m a sucker for a home-brewed glühwein. It doesn’t matter if I wake up on Christmas Eve and it’s 38 degrees out—I cannot go without the smell of brewing glühwein on the stove.
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
Here Comes Santa Claus, but the version from Snoop Dogg’s Dogghouse. It’s funky, funny, and full of that Snoop swagger.
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
Being the first Christmas with my baby boy, all I want is for his world to always be this full of magic.
Looking ahead to 2026, one goal or dream you’d love to tick off:
2026 is not going to be about becoming more, but becoming undeniable.
Losh & Resh Naidoo
Favourite Christmas tradition:
Gathering for Christmas lunch with our entire family, surrounded by beautiful decor, delicious food, laughter, presents, and lots of love. It’s the heart of our holiday season!
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
Our dad’s legendary turkey! He only makes it once a year, and it truly tastes like Christmas. It’s become our family’s festive signature dish.
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas, Justin Bieber’s Drummer Boy, and of course, the timeless Boney M classics!
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
The new Dyson Coanda 2x, because great hair days are a gift that keeps on giving!
Looking ahead to 2026, one goal or dream you’d love to tick off:
With both our kids finishing school next year, Losh and I are excited to finally bring our long-time dream to life: launching our fashion brand, Made You Look SA The Label.
J Sbu
Favourite Christmas tradition:
For me, Christmas is built around family, faith, and food. It starts with a big breakfast then it’s off to church in our Christmas outfits, and yes, the clothes are brand new from top to bottom. That’s always been a thing in my family.
We spend the morning at church, celebrating the true meaning of the day, and by lunchtime, the snacks come out while everyone starts to relax. The kids scatter to play outside while the adults get busy with Sunday lunch. Around 3 pm, the feast begins, and by the end of it, everyone’s so full they can barely move! That’s the picture I see when I think of Christmas. It’s how we’ve done it for years, and it’s become our special family tradition.
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
Without a doubt, 7 Colours! If even one colour is missing, it just doesn’t feel right. I’m talking rice, beef or chicken curry, potato salad, butternut, beetroot, coleslaw, and tomato relish – all on one plate.
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
Movie-wise, it has to be Home Alone. Music-wise, it’s all about the festive favourites: Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas and Michael Bublé’s It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas mixed with a few random bangers to keep the vibes going.
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
Honestly, since I’ll be working quite a bit this festive season, what I really want is to recreate the Christmas I remember growing up – surrounded by family, great food, and gratitude to God. Spending the day with my son is the ultimate gift. I’ve got something pretty epic planned for him if he nails his school marks this year!
Looking ahead to 2026, one goal or dream you’d love to tick off:
To travel the world and perform on international stages.
Derryn Scott
Favourite Christmas tradition:
A big part of my festive joy comes from spending time with loved ones and enjoying the seasonal treats and celebrations.
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
I do enjoy a good old champagne over Christmas. I love a wholesome roast, and for a sweet treat…anything with dark chocolate!
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
Holiday movies? Definitely The Holiday and Love Actually. I’m a hopeless romantic all the way. Song of choice: All I Want for Christmas Is Youuuuu!
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
To see my mom and sister, who live abroad! This year, my whole family will be together. So blessed!
Looking ahead to 2026, one goal or dream you’d love to tick off:
My goal is to have more fun, make mistakes, get creative, playful, connect deeper with my community, and just GO FOR IT! To not look back and to always have one foot in gratitude, one foot in growth and desire.
Schalk Bezuidenhout
Favourite Christmas tradition:
Definitely the one where you play UNO and no one talks to each other for the rest of the day.
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
Gammon with a mustard dressing is a must for me. I will literally leave if it’s not there. And then, of course, lots of red wine. But good red wine out of a bottle, not a box.
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
The entire Leon Schuster Hie’ Kommie Bokke 1995 album.
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
A lot of people would want something like the newest PlayStation 5, but I’d actually love a PlayStation 2, because I still have all the games! You just don’t get those anymore…
Looking ahead to 2026, one goal or dream you’d love to tick off:
Winning the Comrades.
Sindisiwe Cele
Favourite Christmas tradition:
Christmas has always been extra special for my family because it’s also my mother’s birthday. For as long as I can remember, we haven’t just celebrated Christmas, we’ve celebrated her too. It’s a tradition that brings all five of us siblings together, along with our kids, in one home.
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
My sister’s gammon dish is my absolute favourite. It’s the one thing I look forward to every Christmas! She loves cooking, and I love eating, so it’s the perfect match. It just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without it.
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
I’m a sucker for a good rom-com! So whatever cheesy Christmas rom-com is playing on Netflix, that’s what we’re watching. It’s light-hearted, feel-good, and just adds to the festive spirit.
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
Honestly, a couple of million rands in my account wouldn’t hurt! But truly, all I want is happiness, to spend the holidays with my daughter and my family, feeling content, loved, and grateful for everything we already have.
Looking ahead to 2026, one goal or dream you’d love to tick off:
I’m excited about venturing into a new industry and watching that chapter unfold and grow. It’s a season of expansion for me in business, in experiences, and in how I show up in the world. I’m also hoping to travel more, to explore new places that inspire me and remind me how big and beautiful life really is.
Louise Carver
Favourite Christmas tradition:
It’s all about Christmas Eve dinner in our family – beautifully decorated tables, champagne, and fairy lights everywhere. This will be our first Christmas in Ballito, so we’re hoping to start some new traditions…maybe gin and tonics on the beach as the sun sets, a time to exhale and reflect on the year and all we have to be grateful for.
Go-to Christmas dish, drink, or sweet treat:
Yes to all of the above! Chilled champagne with pomegranate seeds at the bottom, the incredible flavours of homemade gravies and sauces, roast potatoes, black mushrooms, fish on the braai…then my mum’s milk tart, which is exceptional!
Ultimate holiday movie or song:
The Night Before with Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie is really offbeat and fun. The Snowman, an animation, has the most stunning music – beautiful for children and adults.
Music-wise, you have to have Michael Bublé and George Michael’s Last Christmas. My producer friend Simz Kulla introduced me to the South African a cappella group Just 6 and their newly released Christmas album Ukhisimusi – An African Christmas, and I love it!
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year:
For my parents to join us over the festive season in Ballito. The time I spend with them has become so much more meaningful. Anything material is lovely, but nothing compares to family time.
Looking ahead to 2026, one goal or dream you’d love to tick off:
I have so many dreams and goals, so it’s hard to pick just one. I’m always very busy and can feel frustrated when things don’t move at the pace I expect. I’m working on appreciating the little wins and not neglecting my body. Spending more time in beautiful Ballito will help me get closer to this goal.
