Six weeks……… and counting! We are really on the run-up to the festive season now, no escaping it. Plan now and save yourself a lot of running around as well as spending money you don’t have because you are in a rush and don’t know what gifts to buy.
Remember what I always say, a little gift wrapped beautifully and given with love, is all you need to do. You don’t have to buy the most expensive gifts, especially if money is tight. Rather stick to a budget, decide more or less how much money you have to spend on Christmas gifts, food and décor and make a list. Don’t get yourself into debt trying to go big!
Christmas gift ideas for women
Hey, gals, this year I’ve been a bit lax browsing the stores and quite frankly I’m running out of time. So guess what? I went into last year’s Bag Lady articles and found this………..
Fragrance first
I don’t think there are many women who don’t love perfume. Whether it’s an exotic fragrance, floral, musky or fresh, you’ll find all their favourites at Edgars, Woolworths, Clicks and Dis-Chem. Keep a lookout for gift boxes where you may get a perfume and a body lotion for the normal price of a perfume. As well as getting a good bargain, boxed gifts are beautifully packaged and most stores will gift wrap them for you. Come on guys, this gift couldn’t be simpler to buy!
Luxury body butters/ creams and bath products
Once again Woolworths’ beautifully packaged pamper sets are sure to be a hit as well as their stocking fillers. Dis-Chem and Clicks also sell gorgeous packaged pamper sets, and some for under R150. And you still can’t beat Clicks’ Oh So Heavenly ranges. Avon also has some gorgeous gifts for Christmas this year, well priced too, Phone Tracy Mare on 082 805 0851. She’ll personally be able to assist you. What are you waiting for?
Scented candles, diffusers and room sprays
I’m an absolute fan of fragranced candles and my favourites are the Yankee Candles. There’s nothing more luxurious than running a bubble bath, pouring a glass of wine and lighting your Yankee Candle! Available from JJ Cale Tobacconists Mall of the South. Spar Meyersdal also stocks some of the Yankee Candle range. Diffusers and room sprays are also perfect for the bathroom and bedroom. @Home Living has some gorgeous ones and MRP Home too.
Something sparkly
If the woman in your life loves everything that sparkles, take a peek in Sterns (Alberton City and The Glen), while Mall of the South has Browns The Diamond Store and Swarovski. If you would like to have a piece of jewellery designed and made, there’s no better shop locally for exquisite jewellery at impressive prices, than Golconda Jewellers in Bassonia Shopping Centre, Bassonia (Phone 083 277 7924).
Book worms
If you are like me you’ll love to receive a good book to enjoy over the Christmas holidays. Exclusive Books (Mall of the South) has some great new reads in-store and at Bargain Books (Mall of the South) you may find what you are looking for.
Easy way out – gift vouchers
If all else fails and you really are stuck, buy a gift voucher. Available from most clothing stores, in fact most stores have gift vouchers and then she can choose what she loves best. Or buy her a Spa voucher. My favourite spa is Sinzinani Spa, you are not only pampered but the location is fab! Relaxing and you really feel like you are miles out of the city.
#GiftingWithAPurpose this Festive season
The trend towards more socially responsible purchases is growing and with Christmas drawing near we look at how we can do Gifting with a Purpose this festive season. Lumela Afrika is part of the #GiftingWithAPurpose movement.
The Story of Lumela Afrika
Lumela Afrika is a job creation project started over 20 years ago, focusing on the employment of single mothers from the local townships of Sharpeville, Sebokeng and Orange Farm. These single mothers are trained to hand craft and paint beautiful pieces. None of the hand-crafted items are completely identical and all are made with tons of love and attention to detail.
Lumela, however, is not just about bright, fun products – it is about empowerment and upliftment.
The founder – Leanne Dickinson
“I worked in the corporate world for quite some time and on my commute to work each day I saw women, with their children, begging for money at the traffic light corners. This is a common sight in South Africa and it got me thinking of how I could try and help these ladies obtain a sustainable living.
Around this time sanctions were dropped against SA and I had the idea of creating and hand-painting naïve art pieces to export abroad. We started with two ladies which we trained and employed from the local community. We began painting wooden trinket boxes, pencil cases, and some decorative ceramic plates all by hand.”
Over 20 years later the Lumela Afrika range has expanded in leaps and bounds, and is now sold across borders and includes an exclusive range of hand-painted enamelware, pure white porcelain enamelware, wooden musical and educational toys as well as a host of other bright fun accessories. With their unique enamel designs and products, they have also ventured into fabulous corporate giftware.
“Our mission”, continued Leanne, “Is to positively change the lives of local men, women and children, through sustainable employment and empowerment”
Lumela Afrika is available online at www.lumelaafrika.com
For more information contact lumelaafrika@tiscali.co.za or phone 016 422 3737.
That’s it for this week. Shop till you drop!
Julie
