Cook and Culture: Importance of planning and festive season movies to watch

With year-end festivities in full swing and more December festive season events high on the agenda, planning is key to keep the family smiling while celebrating. Here are some tips and tricks for a jolly season.

November 19, 2019

Sunel Gilliland and Annelette Bezuidenhout 2 minutes read

Digital

Competition alert! Exciting news, you could win R10 000 a week by downloading the Free PixzAR app and scanning the augmented adverts in your local Caxton newspapers in Gauteng. The more you scan the higher your chances of winning. So scan, scan and scan some more.

Download the Pixzar app, scan the photo to watch a video

Pro Tip

Black Friday 2019 is on November 29. For business or for home, sometimes we need a glamourous gift, to me, from me. This could be your chance to get that item you had on your wish list all year. Check out your local newspaper and make a list of the specials. Online shopping is also an option to avoid the traffic.

Plan your purchases and stick to that budget.

Food For Thought

Slow down and think about what you really want to do this season. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that you forget to enjoy the people you’re doing all this for.

Local Is Lekker

We enjoyed some lekker biltong from the new butcher on the block. Circle C Meats opened at the Atlas Lifestyle Centre, corner of North of North Rand and Atlas roads.

Grazing Platters

Gatherings are definitely on the calendar, whether you are hosting at home or going to friends and family. Enjoy a grazing platter/table, which is an arrangement of appetisers, biltong, cheeses, cold cuts, bread and other snacks. You could even pack fruit, nuts, crudités or maybe try a sweet or chocolate platter.

Car Remedy

You are everywhere, but home. Keep a useful family emergency kit in your car. In a small container keep arnica and calendula cream, alcohol wipes, wet wipes, painkillers, antihistamine, aspirin, anti-diarrhea, antiinflammatory, sunscreen, safety pins, insect repellent, a lighter and maybe something for indigestion.

Check It Out

It’s time to mingle and jingle. Get the family spellbound and festive, take them to see Gauteng’s biggest holiday light show. The Garden of Lights at Emperors takes place in the picturesque gardens of Emperors Palace’s D’oreale Grande Hotel from November 29 to January 5. Pre-booking essential. Tickets are sold by time slots.

Visit: https://www.emperorspalace.com/Promotions/Whats-On/By/Show/garden-of-lights

Community Star and Charity

We are thrilled to hear that there is a Benoni Ladies Circle in formation in the East Rand. They are planning their first charity project, which is to host a quiz evening in aid of a local crèche. This charity event will take place at Blaise’s Bistro in Atlasville on December 5 from 6pm. Contact Blaise on 081 366 8596 to book your spot.

Have You Seen It Yet?

It’s time to watch some Christmas movie trailers for the upcoming festive season. Yes, there are so many new Christmas releases at the cinema and on Netflix this November, we will share them on our online blog. We know many girls love the Frozen tale of Elsa and Anna and have been anticipating the release of Frozen 2.