Sunday Times Lifestyle Festive Gift Guide 2020 by SundayTimesZA

Sunday Times

GIFT GUIDE

Something for everyone

GET THIS YEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

MOST WANTED

FESTIVE GIFTS.

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GET THIS YEAR’S

MOST WANTED

Prices Valid 2 - 24 December 2020

FESTIVE GIFTS. 55” Smart UHD (55UN7100) • Real 4K IPS • Quad Core Processor • Flimmaker mode • 4K Upscaler • Active HDR • 2 Year warranty • (10127710)

8999

Xbox One S 1TB Console

SAVE 1300

5699 iPad 8th 10.2” Wi-Fi 32GB

6899

• 10.2” Retina Display • A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine • 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps • Supports Apple Pencil 1st gen • • 1 Year warranty • (10132264/65/66) • Available Online and at Selected Stores • 4K UHD Blu-ray • HDR 10 support • HDR gaming compatibility • 1 Year Warranty • (10069106) • Available Online and at Selected Stores Only • Console stand not included Price valid from 4 December

NEW PartyBox 310 Portable Speaker • Powerful JBL Pro Sound • Light up the night • Keep the party going • Take it anywhere Party everywhere! • Make a splash • Sound effects get the party started • 1 Year Warranty • (10134347)

Galaxy A21s Smartphone

8999

• 6.5” Infinity-O Display sAMOLED • Quad Camera: 48MP+8MP+2MP+2MP • Front Facing Camera: 13MP • Rear Fingerprint • Memory RAM: 3GB • Memory ROM: 32GB • Micro SD slot • 2 Year Warranty • (10127317)

SAVE 200

3799 TECH NOW

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Pavilion Gaming i5 Laptop • Windows 10 Home • 15.6” FHD Backlit Display • Intel® Core™ i5-10300H Processor • 8GB RAM, 56GB NVMe™ M.2 SSD + 1TB Storage • Intel® UHD Graphics • Nvidia Geforce GTX1650 4GB Graphics • (10128503)

SAVE 1000

15999

Buy the tech you want with your store card and pay monthly with Revolving Credit. Apply in-store.

Gift guide

ED’S CHOICE ANDREA NAGEL

My partner once surprised me at Christmas with something he knew I’d always longed for: a chainsaw. NOT! Since then, I make sure to leave little hints as far as gifts are concerned. I’m a sucker for art, I love a good book, travel is always a good option and homemade presents show forethought, but really, the best presents are locally made by designers whose talent blows me away PRINT @by.Shezi My friend Seth Shezi is a brand strategist, digital creator and self-professed urban jungler. He’s also one of the most in demand, connected people I know, which means that he’s very, very busy. Born out of a need to quieten his mind and share the sensual idea of what a visualisation of conflicting emotions might look like, he created @by.Shezi, which he says is a representation of masculine emotions — light and bright on the surface, convoluted and complex underneath. The limited-edition prints are available for sale in a variety of sizes. See @by.Shezi on Instagram

EARRINGS Bright Eyes from the Good vibrations collection Chloe Townsend is famous for her coveted range of leather handbags under her label Missibaba. She’s now also producing beautiful artworks to add to her tempting collection of wares. While I’ve been lusting over her beautiful prints, I saw a friend at a party last week who was wearing a pair of Missibaba earrings from the latest range. They really added some drama to her look, watching me as they peeked out from behind my friend’s lustrous curls. Available online and instore missibaba.com, R690 a pair

DRESS Sindiso Khumalo Sindiso is a sustainable textile designer based in Cape Town who graduated from Central St Martins in London. She also did architecture at the University of Cape Town. I once spent a few very pleasant hours on the Blue Train with her, talking about everything from great design to kids and husbands, and I’ve been a huge fan of her work ever since. She’s currently working on a new collection, Collection 7, on her website. I love this dress for its modern interpretation of a conservative, old-fashioned style. The fabric is just delicious. Made to order, price on request, sindisokhumalo.com

TRAINERS — Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% Just before everything changed this year, I sneaked in a visit to New York to attend Nike’s Olympic Summit where they announced the launch of the shoe that had helped Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge run a marathon in just under two hours — breaking a world record. I tried them on and could see why the shoes are considered so contentious — they definitely do give you an extra bounce in your step. In fact, they make running an absolute joy. Now that they’re finally in SA, it would be very nice if Santa put a pair of these down my chimney. Available at Nike stores and at nike.com, R3,599.95

S R2 AVE 00

THE HERD beaded necklaces Guiyani Montiero, founder of lifestyle brand Ants, has impeccable style and taste that’s also original and striking. Her new range of beaded necklaces and wall hangings are inspired by the beading culture of Nguni women. As a continuation of her Zulu love letters series, the collection is inspired by Guiyani ’s personal story — the necklaces are letters of appreciation to her heritage, to her mother who is Chopi (people from southern Mozambique), and to Guiyani’s love of the city where she was born, Maputo. Available from Convoy in Melville, the range is priced between R810 and R1,260

SAMSUNG A2 CORE

R129900

cash

on account: R119 PM x 12 total repayable: R1425,40 interest rate: 17.50% • 5” Display Screen • 8GB Internal Memory • 1GB RAM • 5MP Rear & 5MP Front Camera FREE 1GB DATA PM x 12 MONTHS

S R3 AVE 00

CH ‘N S

NOKIA 1.3

E! SCR

R169900

cash

CH ‘N S

SAMSUNG A11

on account: R155 PM x 12 total repayable: R1864,32 interest rate: 17.50% • 5.71” Display Screen • 16GB Internal Memory • 1GB RAM • 8MP Rear + 5MP Front Camera

on account: R274 PM x 12 total repayable: R3290,82 interest rate: 17.50%

T&C’s apply. Competition running 4 - 20 Dec while stocks last.

• 6.4” Display Screen • 32GB Internal Memory • 2GB RAM • 13MP + 5MP + 2MP Rear and 8MP Front Camera

dual sim

Gift guide

FOODIE

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” Virginia Woolf, author

1. Canon Pixma All in One printer R999 hificorp.co.za 2. Design Team printer teatowel R259 yuppiechef.com 3. Opinel Mushroom knife R419 yuppiechef.co.za 4. KitchenAid Mini Food Processor R2,649 takealot.com 5. 1701 Nougat Turkish delight & almond R119 home.co.za 6. Signature Oval Casserole Santa R5,999 lecreuset.co.za 7. Marcato Classic round ravióli stamp R199 yuppiechef.com 8. Creative Cables pepper-shaped LED lightbulb R559 yuppiechef

Cooking the books Christmas is a time for feasting and indulgence and is made even better with a big helping of inspiring new cookbooks. Hilary Biller shares four that have piqued her interest — great gifts for seasoned cooks and novices alike

On-Ear Headphone T500BT Black • Wiresless Bluetooth streaming • JBL pure bass sound • Hands free calls • Multi-point connections • Lightweight and comfortable • Foldable design • Ask Siri or Google Now • 1 Year Warranty • (10115460)

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OTTOLENGHI FLAVOUR By Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage, Ebury Press, R580 This is a must-have cookbook for many reasons, but mainly because it’s written by the marvellous Ottolenghi, who never fails to inspire. It’s for those who want to adjust their lifestyle to include more veg; and for cooks who need fresh inspiration. That’s Yotam, the softtalking chef’s magic. I’m so taken by his idea for the little-known celeriac, a large, brown, knobbly round root that, he says, by simply washing then rubbing in olive oil, seasoning and baking, tastes like a million dollars, Clearly it has become Ottolenghi’s fave too, judging by the number of recipes for it. Look out for the 3ingredient onion, butter and miso recipe – so easy and delicious.

40 YEARS OF ICONIC FOOD Dorah Sitole, NB Publishers, R380 Way more than a cookbook with gorgeous recipes, it’s the story of Dorah Sitole’s food journey. Broken down into four decades that illustrate how food, like fashion, changes over time, it tells her story through the recipes and there’s a delicious mix of traditional and other dishes. Sitole was the first food editor at True Love magazine, which she also then edited; she has hosted many TV cooking shows, represented SA in the culinary arena around the globe, and is the author of the bestselling Cape to Cairo cookbook, which has been translated into German. To spice up a braai, try her mealie bread cooked in a can or the delicious sticky pork ribs, made with her Aunt Mamisi’s coleslaw that has a cheddar cheese twist. Yum.

Gift guide

HOME BODY “I can’t overstate how much I hate leaving the house.” Lena Dunham, writer, actor, director and producer

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1. Grills of Japan Hida Konro table grill R1,899 yuppiechef.co.za 2. Samsung Serif TV from R14,995 Samsung.com/za 3. Ren Moroccan Rose bath oil 110ml R675 woolworths.co.za 4. Aura USB Diffuser Clarity wood R799 home.co.za 5. Beats Camo Collection Studio 3 wireless headphones R6,999 hificorp.co.za 6. Tommy Hilfiger hooded sweatshirt R1,949 011 -883-2573 7. SMEG coffee machine R4,099 home.co.za 8. RAW foldable oak picnic table with bucket cut out R1,559 yuppiechef.co.za

COOK, EAT, REPEAT Ingredients, recipes & stories Nigella Lawson, Penguin Random House, R590 The finger-licking Nigella has taken to the TV screens and is airing her new show on BBC Two Series, where she cooks from her latest publication, Cook, Eat, Repeat. She’s a chef who never fails to get her followers talking — from the very unusual banana skin curry (I kid you not), which is causing a stir on social media, to her rendition of her double buttering toast technique. Her recommendation to use a standard white loaf, not the uber trendy sour dough, has pricked the interest of UK food luminaries. But don’t despair ,there’s lots more in the book from the lady who likes flirting on the sweet side — I fancy the idea of a rhubarb and custard trifle and her rice pudding cake is on my to-do list. Bang on trend there’s some vegan options, a burnt onion and aubergine dip I’m making for the festive spread, while butternut, SA’s

favourite squash, gets the Nigella treatment and is made with chilli, ginger and beetroot yoghurt sauce. Look beyond the cover, not her best, but ho, ho, the contents are fabulous. OINK! THE PERFECT PORK COOKBOOK By Billy Forssman, Quivertree, R450 Coming out of a stable well known for their excellent cookbooks, The Perfect Pork Cookbook is another one to add to the list. Beautiful images and recipes that share the versatility of a protein that is equally good enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or supper; great for the potjie and — what many don’t know — is delicious, if prepared correctly, on the braai. And it’s kind on the budget too. The aim of this cookbook is to inspire us to use more pork, apart from the usual chop or ribs – and it does. A great gift for the man who likes to believe he is (or is) the king of the braai. With contributions from food celebs such as Mogau Seshoene aka the Lazy Makoti, Chef Reuben Riffel and charcuterie maestro Richard Bosman, it’s a meaty feast.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 2019 LTE • 8” LCD Screen (1280x800) • Memory RAM: 2GB • Memory ROM: 32GB • MicroSD slot (Up to 512GB) • Main Camera: 8MP • Front Facing Camera: 2MP • Battery capacity: 5100mAh • 2 Year warranty • (10123928)

SAVE 1000

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Gift guide

TRAVELLER

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” Saint Augustine, theologian

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1. Kara hat R1,280 therealcrystalbirch.com 2. Lego New York City R917 loot.co.za 3. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera R1,089 takealot.com 4. Converse All Star Chuck 70 Renew Regrind R1,299 side-step.co.za 5. Skullcandy Push Ultra True wireless in-ear headphones R2,599 superbalist.com 6. ghd Wish Upon a Star Flight Travel Hair Dryer Gift Set R1,650 ghdhair.com 7. Oxford 13inch laptop case R399 typo at superbalist.com 8. Memo Ocean Leather 75ml R5,000 skins.co.za

Get more mileage from your holiday memories Versa 3

• Built-in GPS • 24/7 heart rate tracking • Store & play music* • Active Zone Minutes • 6+ day battery with fast charge** • Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa built-in • 1 Year warranty • (10131716/15/10131701)

SAVE 500

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Personalised reminders make special gifts for loved ones with whom you’ve shared amazing journeys. Here are a few ideas … MAP THE JOURNEY Looking to immortalise a road trip or multi-stop holiday? My Holiday Map makes personalised posters plotting all the places you went to on your journey. Creating the poster is easy as their website does all the work: simply add your locations to their map maker, along with a few details such as dates if you want them included, choose your preferred colours, and order. See myholidaymap.com TURN INSTA INTO WALL ART There are many ways to turn your holiday photos into works of art. For those who post prolifically on Instagram, or just like the look of the grid, you can have your pictures curated into a giant Insta-style artwork. Local company Photo Blox offers a range of options for printing your pics in high quality. Send 40 photos and they’ll organise them into a gorgeous grid. You

can even also add quotes or other bits of text if you like. R1,500 See photoblox.co.za INSTANT SOUVENIRS For snap-happy holidaymakers, digital photography is a game changer. But there’s something incredibly satisfying about the instant gratification of seeing your pictures materialise as you take them. Instant cameras create a snapshot in time that’s immediately tangible — no risk of relegating your memories to a never-looked-at drive. Polaroid, the name synonymous with instant photography, has returned to those roots with the One Step+, a camera with a vintage look but super-modern capabilities. There’s also Fujifilm’s Instax cameras in a range of colours and specs, which print those precious moments on the spot. Try Takealot: Polaroid R3,890. Instax models and colours available, Mini 9 R1,089.

Gift guide

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OUTDOORSY

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks” John Muir, mountaineer

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1. Beats Camo collection Studio 3 Wireless headphones R8,699 hificorp.co.za 2. Pieter De Jager Canvas and leather log carrier R599 yuppiechef.com 3. Stanley Adventure stainless-steel shot glass set R639 campandclimb.co.za 4. Armani Exchange Enzo watch R5,999 superbalist.com 5. Redbat utility gilet R600 sportscene.co.za 6. Garlic & Herb beer bread mix in enamel pot 440g R179,99 woolworths.co.za 7. Escape Society Utility bum bag R399 superbalist.com 8. Adidas Cam Classic backpack R479 shop.adidas.co.za

BUY A PRO PHOTO Your own photos are great, no doubt, but sometimes just one gorgeous professional shot can make for a classy nod to your own experiences. Bush lovers know that getting amazing shots of game-drive sightings is hard without the right equipment. Prints for Nature is an effort by National Geographic photographers to raise funds for conservation in light of the damage done by Covid-19’s impact on tourism. They are selling a selection of fine-art photographs — covering destinations from India to Tanzania to Antarctica — at discounted rates. While works by these award-winning photographers usually sell for thousands of dollars, a wide selection of 280mm x 400mm prints is now available for $275 (about R4,300). This offer is open until December 10, so hurry. Proceeds go to Conservation International, so it’s a great way to give someone a beautiful piece of art and give back to the planet at the same time. www.printsfornature.com/portfolio

REMEMBER WITH MUSIC It’s hard to find a gift more personal and more capable of capturing a moment than a mix tape. And trips are perfect fodder for playlists — think songs with the city or country’s name in the title, or relevant keywords (sunshine? beach?), or maybe music you listened to or danced to while on the trip. So what if actual tapes are only to be found in antiques stores? Turns out there’s a nifty way to compose the perfect playlist and hand it over with something more magical than a link. The “Mix Tape USB Stick” has a case that looks like an old-school cassette tape, inside of which you’ll find a 1GB USB that you can actually load the songs onto. The case also has that familiar white card included on which you write the song titles in your own hand. And as anyone who remembers will tell you, that’s an integral part of the mix-tape gifting magic. Try iwantoneofthose.com and search for “USB mix tape”, R369). Or pclinkshop.com and search “Mix tape Memory stick”, R915. They also have a similar design for R642, search for “mashtape”. — Elizabeth Sleith

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY. Welcome to the new Surface Go 2 Front

Typical

1.38

5MP

10.5Hrs

10.5”

Weight (Kg)

Camera

battery life

Pixel Sense FHD Touch Screen

Hi-Res vivid

INCREDIBLE EXCLUSIVE Surface Go 2 Platinum Device (10132828) • 4GB LPDDR3 RAM & 64GB Flash Storage • Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor 4425Y • Windows 10 Home S • Dual Studio Mics + 2W Stereo Speakers • WiFi & Bluetooth • 3 Year warranty Upon Registration

8999 VIEW MORE FESTIVE GIFTS IN-STORE AND ONLINE.

Gift guide

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FASHIONISTA

I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet.” Carrie Bradshaw, fashion queen

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1. Astoria Prosecco DOC R179,99 woolworths.co.za 2. Apple watch Series 6 40mm gold stainless-steel case R17,199 istore.co.za 3. Riedel O Stemless Wooded Chardonnay glasses, Set of 2 R499 yuppiechef.co.za 4. AV Love Desktop Hi-Fi System Medium with stand R4,499 hificorp.co.za 5. Technivorm Moccamaster Filter Coffee Machine R3,999 yuppiechef.co.za . Witchery Sasha necklace R699 woolworths.co.za 7. Contrast minaudiere handbag R699 zara.com/za 8. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 256GB Dual Sim in Mystic Bronze R17,786 Takealot.com

Five tips for beauty shopping online

1 Powershot SX430

SAVE 800

• 20MP • 24MM Wide lens • 45x Optical zoom • 90x Zoom with Canon Zoom Plus • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC • DIGIC 4+ Processor • HD (720P) Video recording • 1 Year warranty • (10068899)

Read the reviews: Just like you would do before booking a night at a hotel or buying a new phone, beauty reviews play an important part in making an informed purchase that won’t result in buyer’s regret. For added research, use the poll function on Instagram to ask your audience specific questions or opinions about the beauty product you’re looking for.

Make use of Youtube: Just like written reviews, Youtube has many candid reviews and videos about products and brands that can be useful. When shopping for a fragrance gift, watching a video and seeing live reactions to the scent from the participants can be really insightful.

3 VIEW MORE FESTIVE GIFTS IN-STORE AND ONLINE.

Use try-on apps: There are many

innovative apps and tools on brand websites that allow you to try on product shades or shade match foundation using AI technology. Remember to go makeup-free

when using these apps to get the most accurate recommendations.

have a rewards programme that give you access to promo codes and notifications of flash sales. If you’re hoping to not break the bank while shopping for festive season gifts, these can be a great help — often slicing off up to 35% of the purchase price on something you want, or scoring free delivery.

Compare and compare again: You only

have a great deal when there’s no other website pricing it at a lower price. Not all online stores have the same pricing structure so check other stores that may stock the same product. There’s also a chance it may be on sale elsewhere. Online stores like Takealot and Superbalist usually have periodic discounts and offers on beauty products that can make a huge difference to your festive budget. — Nokubonga Thusi

Gift guide

THE HIPSTER We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw, playwright

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1. Le Creuset Sparkling Wine Stopper R295 yuppiechef.co.za 2. De Vry Distillery Die Warm Rasta Rum 750ml R399 yuppiechef.co.za3. Ray-Ban aviators R2,540 superbalist.com 4. Solenco Hobot Legee 688 Vacuum Mop 4 in 1 Robot R7,999 Takealot.co.za 5. Bang&Olufsen Beosound Balance wireless speaker R47,299 e-piphany.co.za 6. Philips Premium Smart Sensing XXL 7.3L Digital Airfryer, 1.4kg R7,199 yuppiechef.co.za 7. Adidas Originals C40 parley cap R479 superbalist.com 8. Fitbit Versa 2 Smart watch R3,989 takealot.com

WIN

Shop where Santa shops for the best deals!

It might be a littler summer than usual, but PURA Soda is here to lift your spirits.

FRIDGE/FREEZER Win a PURA Soda ‘Littlest Summer’ hamper that includes a season’s worth of PURA Soda, a bottle of Beefeater gin and PURA Soda merchandise, all to the value of R2 500. This summer, every person who buys a can of PURA Soda also stands the chance of winning a 0,01% share of their company. Visit www.livealittlepura.com for more details.

314L GROSS

KBF635ME

• A energy rating • 3L Capacity water tank • Transparent freezer baskets • Movable balconies • Anti fungal door gasket • Volt stability • 5 Year Warranty • (10112895)

SAVE 500 To stand a chance to win the hamper, email your name and contact details to win@purabeverageco.com. Use the words LIVE A LITTLE PURA SUNDAY TIMES in the subject line. Competition ends 12 December 2020. The winner will be contacted by 17h00 on 14 December 2020. Entrants must be 18 or over.

4999

1747mm

600mm

618mm

Gift guide

BEACH BOD “Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.” Christy Ann Martine, poet

1. Polo Gary striped flip flop R299 superbalist.com 2. Ridley’s Chess & Checkers Set R499Takealot.co.za 3. Country Road Picnic basket R1,699 woolworths.co.za 4. Koi Fish swimshorts R713 granadillaswim.com 5. Sony Outdoor Extra Base Wireless Speaker R2,199 hificorp.co.za 6. Levi’s avaitor sunglasses R2,309 takealot.com 7. Trenery Cyril Trilby R499 woolworths.co.za 8. Kindle Paperwhite WiFi 8GB Gen 10 R3,499 hificorp.co.za

3 of the best LOCAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Shop where Santa shops for the best deals!

MANUAL MICROWAVE DMO381

• 6 power levels • Mirror glass door • Cooking end signal • 2 Year Warranty • (10124950)

20L GROSS

700 WATTS

SAVE 100

999

1. Skin Creamery Slow Beauty Collection R350 skincreamery.co.za 2. Sir John x WBeauty Brush Set R499 woolworths.co.za 3. Gozdawa Marta Extrait De Parfum 50ml R1,950 houseofgozdawa.com

Gift guide

FIXER UPPER

“Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful.” Hazrat Inayat Khan, teacher

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1. Bose SoundLink Micro BT speaker R3,299 hificorp.co.za 2. Black + Decker 550W Percussion Hammer Drill R699 Takealot.com 3. Huawei GT Active Smart watch R3,399 takealot.com 4. New Balance classic 327 R1,799 superbalist.com 5. G-Star Raw Ozone jacket R2,499 g-star.com/en_za 6. Beats Solo3 wireless headphones R4,799 takealot.com 7. Everdure cube BBQ R2,999 home.co.za 8. Fieldbar R1,499 yuppiechef.co.za

Gift a food experience Fabulous foodie experiences that make the art of giving a sensory pleasure 1. KAROO GOURMET GETAWAY African Relish Cooking School, Prince Albert www.africanrelish.com A gift that offers a culinary food adventure in picturesque Prince Albert, African Relish is situated in the heart of the village. What was once a 200-year-old Langhuis has lovingly been restored and turned into a culinary hall with a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen and dining area. Choose from a themed half- or fullday cooking class or sign up for a course with a visiting chef or food personality. Add a foodie tour around the village and stay over at a selection of their stylish accommodation. Halfday courses are from R875 per person. 2. SKILL UP IN CHARCUTERIE Richard Bosman Charcuterie Courses, Richardbosman.co.za Bosman has been making quality cured meats since 2009 and in his spare time runs amateur charcuterie courses on how to cure meats. He

offers a one-day course and an advanced weekend course where participants learn how to make a selection of Italian cured meats, bacon, sausages and chorizo. The best part is you get to take home what you’ve made. Each course includes Bosman’s famous lunch. From R1,500 for a one-day course in Cape Town. 3. WEBER BRAAI CLASSES The Discovery Vitality Healthy Food Studio www.healthyfoodstudio.co.za/events/ unleash-your-grill-skills-with-weber/ Learn how to become a braai master with a Weber-inspired grilling class at the Healthy Food Studio in Sandton, where the emphasis is on learning to cook with seasonal ingredients. Expert chefs will help you master a threecourse braai menu with marinated T-bone steak, coal-roasted vegetables, braaied snoek bobotie and almond-mealie bake. It’s a great gift for a loved one, family or friends. R650 per person, including lunch and drinks. — Hilary Biller

Shop where Santa shops for the best deals!

HAIRDRYER HP8204/10

• ThermoProtect • DC Motor and 2100W • Six flexible speed settings • Temperature settings for full control • Ultra narrow concentrator • Cool Shot sets your style • 1.8m Power cord • Easy storage hook for convenient storage • (10123243)

349

Gift guide

COOL KIDS

“Play build the kind of free-and-easy, try-itout, do-it-yourself character that our future needs” James Hymes jnr, education specialist

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1. Cotton On Inflatable Boogie Board R399 Superbalist.com 2. Samsung Galaxy A8 tablet R2,499 hificorp.co.za 3. Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers (hardback) R299 takealot.com 4. Converse science class sneakers R699 superbalist.com 5. Country Road stamp dress R699 woolworths.co.za 6. Projector Torch R99 cottonon.com/za 7. Printed pyjama set R349 cottonon.com/za 8. Heartdeco castle play tent R699 takealot.com

The gift of giving Celebrate this festive season by extending your generosity to people less fortunate than yourself. Reach out to make a positive difference. Frida Hartley Shelter: The Covid-19 lockdown has served as a harsh reminder of the problem of domestic violence in our country. If violence against women and children is a cause that resonates with you, make a donation to the shelter. It’s one of only a handful of places in Johannesburg that shelters women and children, empowering jobless mothers and victims of domestic abuse to get back on their feet. Along with shelter and food, job training workshops and counselling are offered. fridahartley.org

Shop where Santa shops for the best deals!

XBOOM PARTY SPEAKER RM2

• • • •

Powerful 15-inch woofer Clear Sound with Low Distortion Easy Portability 2 Year Warranty (10132237)

SAVE 500

3499

AUX INPUT

USB

Feed SA: This non-profit organisation did incredible work at the height of the pandemic, distributing food packages to under-serviced communities on an epic scale. Food insecurity is a horrific correlate of poverty, and Feed SA’s main mandate is to combat hunger in vulnerable areas. It also directs its efforts towards setting up crèches and facilitating classroom renovations. feedsa.co.za

Nazareth House: The non-profit organisation provides essential care to hundreds of senior citizens. They also take care of children, many of whom are ill and require specialised care, in long-term residential houses in Johannesburg and Cape Town. There are many ways to offer your services to this establishment, either through volunteering or by donating to one of their campaigns or charity shops. nazarethcare.co.za Santa Cause for Paws: If you’re an animal lover, then get involved with Santa Cause for Paws, a seasonal initiative that aims to distribute festive packages to the furry residents of shelter animals over the Christmas period. Make a cash donation, or assemble one of their packages yourself or on site. Alternatively, you can volunteer to act as a conduit between shelters and Santa Cause by dropping off boxes once they’ve been filled or sealed. santapaws.co.za or www.facebook.com/santacauseforpaws. — Paula Stephanie Andropoulos

Gift guide

TECH BUFF

“Technology is the campfire around which we tell our stories” Laurie Anderson, artist

1. Dyson Pure hot&cool R15,999 home.co.za 2. Zoku stainless-steel insulated vacuum food jar R539 yuppiechef.co.za 3. Canon EOS M200 mirrorless camera with 15-45mm lens R9,889 Takealot.com 4. Michael Kors aviator sunglasses R2,000 za.sunglasshut.com 5. Foreo Luna 2 sonic face cleaner for men R3,500 hermanos.co.za 6. 5kg dumbbell set R1,199 Takealot.com 7. Ooni karu wood- & charcoal-fired pizza oven R7,299 yuppiechef.co.za 8. Fitbit Sense R7,999 superbalist.com

This festive season, gift a Sunday Times subscription at 30% off.

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JUG BLENDER RHB315

Scan the QR code to purchase a voucher. Valid from 7 December until 11 January. Ts&Cs: Promotion is valid from 7 December 2020 to 11 January 2021. Discounted vouchers to be purchased online at www.timeslive.co.za/buy. Terms and conditions apply.

• • • • • • •

1.75L Glass jug 5 Speeds with pulse function Stainless steel blades Dishwasher-safe parts Safety lock mechanism 2 Year Warranty (10064464)

949

1000 WATTS

Gift guide

ESCAPE FROM 2020 It’s the end of the year and time to head to your nearest bookstore to buy you and your loved ones the best escape from 2020 that money can buy. There’s a bonanza in store this festive season as the choice for holiday reading is bigger and better AUTOBIOGRAPHY A great autobiography is always a thoughtful personal gift and there are plenty to choose from. First up and probably the biggest book this year is A Promised Land by Barack Obama (Penguin/Viking). At 706 pages, thank goodness it now signals optimism instead of despair. Obama is forthright, honest, charming and makes one understand what he and his family went through in his years as the first African-American president of the US. As an ER doctor for more than 30 years, Dr Anne Biccard recounts some of the bizarre cases that have crashed through the emergency doors in Saving a Stranger’s Life (Jacana). She also looks at the determination and camaraderie of health workers working on the frontlines of the pandemic. No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality is Michael J Fox’s third memoir. Having lived with Parkinson’s for the past 30 years, the now 59-year-old actor shares his ideas about illness and health, ageing and how we

perceive our mortality in relation to time. He takes on these big themes as he did in his previous autobiographies — with humour, poignancy and pragmatism. Also look out for: Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz (Little, Brown), Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (Headline), Learning Lessons by Jonathan Jansen (Bookstorm), and last but not least Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton (Hodder & Stoughton). ACTION Lee Child is slowly handing off Jack Reacher to his brother Andrew Child and he shows us in their first collaboration, The Sentinel (Bantam Press), that there is no need for concern. As William Saunderson Meyer, one of our finest reviewers, has written: “The Sentinel is a rocksolid co-operation and, if anything, Reacher has been made a little more interesting without losing any of the characteristics that make him appealing.” War correspondent and writer extraordinaire Hamilton Wende has

released the critically acclaimed Red Air (Kwarts Publishers). You know it’s a solid war novel when a US Marine Corps infantry officer (whose name and rank is withheld for operational security reasons) says the book is: “Compelling and intense, there were times I felt as if I were back in Afghanistan operating under the dreaded conditions of Red Air.” Definition of Red Air: when there’s too little visibility for air support, meaning that marines can’t patrol for safety purposes. TRUE CRIME I Survived: I Married a Charming Man. Then He Tried to Kill Me by Victoria Cilliers (Pan Macmillan) is a title that grabs by the throat. Cilliers, a trained physiotherapist who served in the British army and reached the rank of Captain, plunged to the ground when she went skydiving. Badly injured, she was shocked to realise her husband (a South African) had tampered with her parachute, wanting to kill her. Chilling. Also look out for: The Killer

Across the Table by John E Douglas and Mark Olshaker (William Collins) and Talking with Serial Killers: Death Row’s Worst Killers - in their Own Words by Christopher Perry-Dee. DRAMA Jodi Picoult is back. The Book of Two Ways is à la Sliding Doors. Dawn, who almost dies in an air crash, has to go back to her conventional life with her husband and daughter, or go to Egypt, where Wyatt Armstrong is. He is the man who flashed through her mind during what she thought were her last moments. We follow her down both paths to see how each choice turns out. The book’s big questions are: When we leave this Earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices … or do our choices make us? Also look out for: Critical but Stable by Angela Makholwa (Macmillan), The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante (Europa Editions), The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue (Picador), Charlotte by Helen Moffett

Gift guide (Manilla Press), Snow by John Banville (Faber & Faber), The Autumn of the Ace by Louis de Bernieres, and A Family Affair by Sue Nyathi (Pan Macmillan South Africa). MYSTERIES Every Niq Mhlongu book is a keepsake and his latest, Paradise in Gaza, is storytelling at its best. He weaves the mystery of the disappearance of an eight-year-old boy through a powerful novel that deals with African spirituality, politics and beliefs. Also look out for: A Time for Mercy by John Grisham (Hodder & Stoughton), Still Life by Val McDermid (Little, Brown), Say No More by Karen Rose (Headline), and One by One by Ruth Ware (Harvill Secker). BEACH READS We all need to be transported to a land of sea, romance and sunshine. Love in Colour (Headline) is a book of vibrant short stories told by Bolu Babalola based on mythical tales from around the world. It’s pure escapism about how love is expressed by different means. Also look out for: The Shelf by Helly Acton (Bonnier Books), Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown (Hodder & Stoughton), Looking for Eliza by Leaf Arbuthnot (Trapeze), and Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan (Doubleday).

STOCKING FILLERS Michiko Kakutani, former chief book critic for The New York Times, shares her enthusiasm for her favourite 100 books in Ex Libris: 100 Books to Read and Reread (William Collins). There are short descriptions on why each book means so much to her. A lovely little compendium to remind oneself of the beauty of stories. Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice by Michele Obama (Penguin/Viking) is one of the two journals that make perfect gifts. It gives the writer prompts on how to tell their own story, just as she did in Becoming. It’s selfempowering stuff. The other is A Journal of Discovery by Paulo Coelho (BlueBird Books). His approach is more about selfreflection and imagination. One of the entries is: “Write your life story as if it were a fairy tale. Give it a hero and villain, as well as a beginning, a middle and an end.” Also look out for: Mantel Pieces by Hilary Mantel (Fourth Estate), The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life by Edith Eger (Ebury), Anti Racist Ally: An Introduction to Action and Activism by Sophie Williams (HarperCollins), Pocket Einstein: 10 Short Lessons in Artificial Intelligence & Robotics by Peter J Bentley (Michael O’ Mara), and The Little Book of Lager: A Guide to the World’s Most Popular Style of Beer by Melissa Cole (Hardie Grant).

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The gift of experiences Sometimes the best gift is the gift of experience — taking a class, doing something for the first time, learning a new skill or meeting Santa Claus virtually in Lapland A gin class at an Inverroche gin school will unleash the alchemist in any gin lover. Spend three hours distilling a hand-crafted gin while sampling the range of Inverroche gins. Gauteng venues include Indaba Hotel in Fourways (ginschool@indabahotel.co.za) and Culture Club in Hazelwood, Pretoria (ginschoolpta@gmail.com). In the Western Cape, try Inverroche Distillery in Still Bay (distillery@inverroche.co.za) and Café Gannet in Mossel Bay (ginschool@cafegannet.co.za). From R595 pp. Email to book. AirBnb’s Online Experiences have proven so popular that activities led by hosts across the world have continued as countries ease lockdown restrictions. Their Christmas-themed experiences are ideal for families who are separated by distance. Can’t spend Christmas morning together? Arrange for an online story time with Santa (from R90 pp) or meet him virtually in Lapland (from R284 pp). Other festive classes include vegan baking sessions (from R473 pp) and holiday cocktails (from R400 pp). Visit www.airbnb.co.za. A Canopy Tour experience is the perfect gift for an adrenaline junkie or nature lover. With six locations in SA, including Magoebaskloof, Magaliesberg, Drakensberg, Karkloof, Tsitskikamma in the Cape, plus one in Malolotja, Swaziland, vouchers are a great way of giving someone an adventure to remember. From R595. Visit www.canopytour.co.za. A Masterclass subscription gets people cultivating their passions – like learning the tricks of modern Italian cooking from chef Massimo Bottura or growing an urban garden with Ron Finley. An annual membership costs R3,000 (buy one get one free currently) with access to more than 90 expert instructors and thousands of lessons. Visit www.masterclass.com. Give the gift of a stage performance. The St Petersberg Ballet will be performing Swan Lake at the Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg from April 2021; tickets from R150. Shows at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town start in May 2021; tickets from R250. Visit www.artscape.co.za. Sanet Oberholzer

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*’RRP’ recommended resale price. The prices may vary per retailer. Buy and Get promotion terms and conditions apply. Promotion valid until 31 December 2020, while stocks last. Visit samsung.com for more information.

Samsung Galaxy Note20: R20 995,00 Galaxy Note20 Ultra: R32 995,00 Buy before 31 Dec, and get a R1000 (Note 20 Ultra) or R500 (Note 20) Samsung online store e-voucher.

Gift guide

A NEW KIND OF CHRISTMAS

In the hands of this Cape Town creative, Christmas decorating has been given an intriguing twist defined by Gothic influences, ornate flourishes and foraged wild botanicals

TEXT MANDY ALLEN/BUREAUX, STYLING SHELLEY STREET/BUREAUX, PHOTOGRAPHS WARREN HEATH/BUREAUX

n walking through Rupert Smith’s beautiful inner-city Cape Town loft it’s easy to appreciate why he is in constant demand in SA and abroad for his work in visual merchandising, installations and high-end media events. As well as his consulting work in the retail, fashion, creative and advertising industries, he is a lecturer at VM Central, the design consultancy and training studio he cofounded with long-time collaborator Sanet Coetzee. And then there is his new shop, CENTRAL, the successor to O.live, his much-loved concept store. CENTRAL has become a magnet for the city’s

Above: An out-of-the-ordinary cake in jewel-box shades seems like just deserts for this moody merry Christmas. TIPS ● A vanilla sponge has been covered with aubergine purple tinted buttercream. ● Additional decorations include hand-painted macarons (buy cream or white macarons and paint them with gel food colouring) and grapes sprinkled with edible gold dust, finished with pomegranate seeds.

Right: Thanks to its utilitarian design and muted finish, the gold cutlery feels unpretentious and aesthetically at ease alongside the textured, handmade ceramics and weathered surface of the rustic dining table – though there is a fashionable edge to this high-low combination of elements. TIPS ● A playful touch has been introduced with star and dragonflyshaped metallic confetti. ● For some additional shine, spray-paint blue gum seed pods or other foraged objects in gold, and intersperse them among the leafy centrepiece. ● Thistles – also placed as part of the centrepiece – make for an unusual alternative to traditional blooms. ● Treat each guest to a small take-home gift – wrap these and mark individual’s names on post office tags to serve as place holders.

magpies, design lovers and seekers of one-off treasures for the home. Rupert’s own home is a double-volume industrial space with million-dollar views of Table Mountain and a spellbinding interior that is “a curation of all the gems that I have found on my life’s journey, things that have meaning to me”. It is in this urban, strippedback setting that Rupert has foregone conventional Christmas sentimentalities and instead conjured up a darker, more dramatic vision that marries the Gothic elements he loves with opulent accents and lashings of foraged botanicals. vm-central.com

Of all the elements that make up a Christmas gathering, the festive table should conjure up the biggest sense of drama. This reimagined offering is suitably show-stopping and edgy – its inspiration drawn from the still-life paintings of the Dutch Old Masters (with a touch of Nick Cave) and al fresco living. TIPS ● With such luscious adornments and inviting textures, a linen tablecloth would feel superfluous. Indeed, it is the contrast between the weather-worn patina of the old farmhouse table and the more sophisticated objects that lend the entire scene its unique rebel charm. ● Arrange swathes of magnolia leaves, camellia and ivy down the centre of the table. For colour, intersperse these waxy greens with species such as pepper tree branches in fruit with pink berries as well as thistles. Loosely secure the centrepiece with concealed raffia and/or jewellery wire to keep the arrangement contained while retaining an artfully informal effect. ● Eclectic seating – including an antique garden bench, a midCentury Modern wire chair and vintage carved wooden dining chairs – adds to the eccentric mood of the setting, lending it character. ● Be playful with proportion, colour and texture. Layered ceramic flatware – both matt and glazed – clear green glass vessels and accents of gold result in a complementary contrast of materials and form as well as the reflection of light.

Gift guide

Rupert’s kitchen is a laboratory of creativity. TIPS ● The central island is a repurposed vintage sideboard that has been set on castors for functionality. ● A space such as this, with its abundance of natural light and double-volume proportions, can easily pull off a dark feature wall. ● Simple white tiles bounce the light and serve as a drawing board to write reminders, shopping lists and, in this instance, the menu. ● A floating shelf above the cooking zone provides storage space for kitchen essentials as well as plants and decorative objects. ● A crystal chandelier imparts a visual surprise and touch of glamour into the industrial loft setting. ● A rug in the kitchen adds a chic bohemian touch.

A potted indoor ficus assumes the role of Christmas-tree-inchief complete with gifts positioned in their rightful place. The wrapping paper with its dark background and moody botanicals connects with the greater decorative theme. TIPS ● Using an existing indoor tree is an eco-friendly option. ● The graphic ornaments have been handmade using craft cardstock in black, matt gold and a natural finish – their shapes bringing to mind baroque architectural onion domes. ● A black wooden beaded rosary hanging from a branch is a subtle reference to the spiritual aspect of Christmas. ● Delicate rice lights should be used in abundance. ● Metallic ornaments introduce a touch of bling.

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Galaxy Watch3 boasts all the craftsmanship of a luxury timepiece while being comfortable enough to wear all day. Sporting a timeless design, this watch is built with premium materials like stainless steel and high-quality leather, and for the f irst time, it is available in a titanium model that’s both durable and elegant. Galaxy Watch3 also features the popular rotating bezel f rom previous watch models, which merges form with function. With just a turn of the bezel, you can easily toggle between widgets, open apps and scroll through notif ications. You can also customise your watch face with over 80,000 watch faces in the Galaxy store, or design your own.

*Recommended Retail Price: Samsung Watch 3LTE (41mm): R9 495,00 Samsung Watch 3 Bluetooth (45mm): R13 985,00

*Recommended Retail Price:

Aesthetes will appreciate the visual harmony of wrapped Christmas presents. TIPS

● Make bespoke wrapping paper to complement the theme of your Christmas decor. Find imagery from one of the many public domain museum or art gallery resources (we recommend the Rijksstudio library of the Rijksmuseum rijksmuseum.nl) and have artworks professionally printed onto large sheets of paper to use as gift wrap. ● Use simple post office tags rather than cards to denote names on gifts. Old-school cool and cost-effective. ● Every last detail has been carefully considered; the ribbon decorating the gifts, for example, marries with other purple highlights such as the icing on the cake, plump figs and plums.

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*Recommended

Retail

Price:

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: R3 995,00

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7: R19 995,00 Buy before 31 Dec, and get a R3000 Samsung online store e-voucher.

Buy before 31 Dec, and get a R1000 Samsung online store e-voucher.

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*Recommended Retail Price:

SAMSUNG GALAXY Z Flip Few devices have captured the imagination of the world the way the Galaxy Z Flip has. This pioneering device literally bends the laws of physics and features a 6.7-inch display that folds into a stylish and compact form that ˛��ǿ�� incredible invention that is bold and stylish – designed for those who see cutting-edge technology as a way to express themselves as well as those who just have to have their hands on the latest and greatest in tech.

*Recommended Retail Price:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2: R46 995,00

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip: R34 985,00

Buy before 31 Dec, and get a R5000 Samsung online store e-voucher.

Buy before 31 Dec, and get a R5000 Samsung Online Store e-Voucher.