Stuck in a funk over stocking fillers? From journals to drinks, here are a few nifty gift ideas worth considering, and … we’ve got one of each to give away!
We just love Good Stuff products because they’re cruelty-free, with vegan options, packed with the most delicious skin-loving goodies, sustainably sourced from South African soil, and every Christmas they line the shelves with some of the most beautifully wrapped gift sets that are also really affordable. Priced from R50 to R175, there’s something for everyone – teachers, friends and anyone who’s helped you get through the year. Or …fill up those stockings with any of their pampering bath and body products. They didn’t call it Good Stuff for nothing! Available from Dis-Chem, Checkers or Takealot. Details: www.goodstuffandco.com
A journal is a beautiful gift to remind someone special that they are worthy and that you care about them. Introducing Leatherpress … born from a desire to curate leather journals and notebooks that reflect the value of the thoughts written within them. With a proudly South African heritage, it’s the attention to detail that puts these in a class of their own. Crafted using 100 per cent full-grain SA leather and perfected with classical stitching and binding methods, there are three beautiful collections to choose from (Heritage, Inspire and Artisan) allowing you to express yourself in a way that suits your style and taste. They come in different sizes from large, ideal for a handbag, to pocket size so they’re easy to keep at hand. You’ll find them in-store at all Exclusive Books and online. Details: www.exclusivebooks.co.za
For the man or woman on the go, we turn to the Thule EnRoute backpack collection which has just been given an update with innovative new design features and colour options. These versatile outdoor-inspired backpacks, available in new exciting colours and a range of sizes, offer multiple storage solutions that will protect your laptop and keep you organised when you’re running from A to B. A soft-lined pocket provides quick access and safeguards a phone, sunglasses or other valuables, and the organisational panel keeps small accessories, pens and keys easily accessible. The convenient pass-through panel also allows you to attach the backpack to rolling luggage for easier travel. Priced from R2999 from a Thule store or online. Details: www.thulestore.co.za
These days, gift-buying needs to be a conscious action that considers sustainability and wellbeing, while also bringing joy! That’s why we love Esse’s Limited Edition Festive Gift Set that’s all about ethical gifting and rejuvenating the face and body. It features a 150ml Body Cleanser (made from Bentonite Clay and unique ingredients that will leave your skin detoxed, rehydrated and invigorated) and two 20ml Sensitive Face Masks (packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Probiotics) that repairs and hydrates sensitive or problem skins, while improving the appearance of fine lines. Perfectly suited to all skin types, the products are organic, vegan and cruelty-free, so every pack brings only good tidings to its receiver, and the packaging is fully recyclable. The gift set comes free when you shop Esse products to the value of R1 950 or you can but the pack for R695. Details: www.esseskincare.com
From the North of Italy hails the world’s top selling Prosecco since 1887, Mionetto Prosecco, and new to the Prestige Collection is its pale peachy pink Rosé. With a fragrant fruity bouquet filled with aromas of honey, berries and citrus, its well-balanced acidity with refreshing notes of red berries and grapefruit, make it a great pairing for late afternoon canapes featuring cheeses, cold meats and olives. Cheers to elegant fine bubbles! You’ll find it at all good bottle stores for around R230 a bottle.
No stranger to the South African Aperitivo scene is the Hotel Starlino range. Beautifully presented in striking apothecary-inspired bottles, the range (produced at the Torino Distillati just outside Turin in Northern Italy) boasts a variety of drinks for early-evening occasions, from a beautifully balanced Vermouth to elegant wine-based Aperitivos with our favourite being the Arancione Aperitivo – an explosion of citrus flavours and tropical aromas that are bittersweet when complemented with botanicals like angelica, thyme and cloves. Easy to mix, deliciously refreshing and low in alcohol, it’s the perfect addition to your summer drinks trolley. You’ll find it for around R309 at leading bottle stores.
A bottle of Jim beam is ideal for those who appreciate good bourbon and love to share it! An aging process of four years in new charred oak barrels gives this medium-bodied American brand of bourbon whiskey its elegant, refined and smooth character. Quite sweet on the nose with gentle notes of vanilla and cut hay, it boasts good body with a toasty oak, crème anglaise and a little spice on the palate. You’ll find it for around R260 at leading bottle stores.
In deepest rural Ireland, on the edge of a lake in Drumshanbo, is the home of The Shed Distillery founded by PJ Rigney on his quest to fuse oriental botanicals with the local Irish ones. As it turned out, they got on very well indeed, and the result of this passionate exploration is Drumshanbo – a uniquely fragrant, almost exotic gin distilled with more than 12 oriental botanicals, gunpowder tea and a hint of Sardinian citrus – one of the rarest citrus fruits in the world. Packaged in a bevelled blue bottle, you’ll find it at all good bottle stores for around R479. Salute!
