CREATIVE GIFTING

LET’S CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF BEING TOGETHER AND RECONNECTING WITH LOVED ONES THIS YEAR BY SHOWING THEM JUST HOW SPECIAL THEY ARE TO US

pictures kelly daniels

Christmas can be a stressful time for many, with last-minute scrambling through the stores for gifts. Take time this year to plan and beautifully present gifts that focus on the person; using their favourite colour, tastes or likes as a theme. A thoughtful gift infused with happiness is guaranteed to be appreciated and spoken about for years to come – so be the favourite gran, aunt, friend, or sister by “wowing” your family and friends with a oneof-a-kind gift.

Add handwritten personal messages to each item, explaining why you chose that item, or insert quirky humour to elevate a simple item. Focus less on what the value is, but rather the thought and effort you have put into creating a unique gift experience.

On behalf of Talloula, put together for their fabulous annual Christmas showcase, Venessa Matthews has created 10 wonderfully unique and inspiring ideas:

1 - Gifting money should not be boring. Create a themed gift based on a “hamburger” bath sponge, complete with sliced “yellow bar of soap” chips, and mini condiments filled with bubble bath and bath salt. Hide money underneath the hamburger sponge, and present The gift in burger packaging from your local takeaway.

2 - Create a “braai” hamper filled with eco firelighter balls in a jar, a quirky “match” lighter and other favourite braai loving items: beer, bottle opener, biltong, braai spice, etc. Create a cute tag: “Come on baby light my fire” – beautifully presented in a handy galvanised braai caddy.

3 - Recycled egg cartons make the best packaging for a creative gift from the garden. Propagate rock roses, and this gift will cost you only the ribbon and tag. Other fun ideas to fill: home-made bath bombs; mini muffins; candy/chocolates; jewellery; folded money.

4 - Coloured glass jars from Consol Glass not only look great but “hide” contents. Gift swimming trunks or a costume in a blue glass jar, adding dimension by glueing a bendy toy to the lid. Use a fun summer image to create a unique and personalised gift tag that hints to the theme of the gift.

5 - Repurpose gift bags from your shopping spree this Christmas. Many stores use great quality gift bags to package your purchases in. Hide store branding with a strip of patterned paper or gift wrap, and finish off with a homemade Christmas decoration and tag. Alternatively, trace a circle using a side plate to “cut out” store branding from packaging to create a window into the contents of your gift.

6 - Support your street vendor by purchasing a homemade basket to make a unique stationery gift basket perfect for any stationery lover’s desk. Colour co-ordinate the contents, completing the look with home-made tassels.

7 - Merry Fishmas …Jars make the most wonderful gift vessels. Remove packaging from items purchased and fill a jar. Fishing hooks can be put into a smaller jar, lining the bottom of your jar with tissue paper or paper shreds. Attach a homemade stick fishing rod and fish tag to the outside of your jar using washi tape. Spray paint the jar lid blue to match the colour theme of your gift. A great way to present a “fishing shop” voucher too.

8 - Impress the baker in the family with a large jar filled with cupcake baking goodies. Decorate the jar with clear dot stickers; paint the handle of an inexpensive wooden spoon to match, and add a large tag with a cupcake recipe. Colour co-ordinate for a successful and useful gift.

9 - Get Creative and repurpose old glass jars to make fun, unique and 'wow' gift vessels for gifting money or vouchers this year. No need to wrap these gifts, insert money or a voucher with candy and place straight under the tree. Use spray paint acrylic paint snd permanent marker pens o decorate the jars.

10 - Theme a gift for a car lover with a car wash hamper. Using a pineapple theme, purchase yellow and green car wash items and present in a handy storage basket. Contents include pineapple key ring, sponge, cleaning cloths, spray bottle, chamois (remove the sticker from packaging), pineapple car freshener and shopping bag, and petrol slip folder.

FOR MORE INFO Venessa Matthews Talloula: www.talloula.co.za; @olive_finch