Eight weeks to Christmas …… and counting! I know, I know you don’t want to read this but if you are thinking you’d like to make Christmas extra special this year, now is the time to begin your planning.
Book now
Some of you will already know if you are planning on having Christmas lunch/ dinner at home or eating out at a restaurant/ venue. If you are looking at eating out, check prices at restaurants and what they’ll offer, a set menu or a la carte. I think most will do a set menu with a starter, mains and dessert. See if they offer discounts for children.
Don’t book at a fancy restaurant if you are planning on taking young children. It’s not fair to expect them to sit still and be quiet for a long time and it’s also not fair on other diners who don’t have children with them, to put up with your excited little ones. I know it’s wonderful to be merry at Christmas, but I think an “older” crowd would rather be merry enjoying a few drinks! Rather book at a child-friendly restaurant where they offer a play area which will be well supervised, then once the little ones have eaten they can enjoy themselves and you can, too. There are quite a few child-friendly restaurants in Alberton and Joburg South and if you have a certain one in mind already, definitely book now to save disappointment later.
Going away
For those of you who will be holidaying away over Christmas time, and have pets, either organise a responsible and reliable house sitter (one who likes animals) or inquire at kennels or catteries and book now. I have memories of house sitting and as much as I’m not an animal hater, I’m not keen on sharing the bedroom with slobbery dogs and meowing cats, who usually sleep there! Have you ever tried to keep a cat out? They somehow manage to squeeze through the tiniest gap or window to get to where they want to be. So make sure your pets are going to be well looked after wherever they’ll be.
You’ll most likely have booked your accommodation already but if not, don’t leave it any longer. You don’t want to end up with “no room in the inn”.
Travelling far, make sure to have your car booked in for a service. Car service centres will be also getting booked up before the holidays.
Government schools are closing later this year, only on Wednesday, December 12, so roads and highways will be choc-a-bloc for a few days after that. Maybe put off your trip until the weekend and leave bright and early on the Saturday morning.
An early gift
As children love advent calendars, so do we women. While out and about last week I popped into one of my favourite shops at the Mall of the South – L’Occitane. They are selling the most gorgeous advent calendars with a new and delightful product daily. Now, what woman wouldn’t want to receive this at the beginning of December? It is a tad expensive but we’re worth it! Come on guys, make this Christmas special.
L’Occitane also has holiday stars and holiday baubles at R195 each, a perfect Christmas gift for under the tree. They are really exquisite and each contains three products.
Can you help?
Alice has very painful bunions and is even finding sleeping a nightmare –pardon the pun! Can anyone out there assist her with information on where she can purchase very comfortable shoes or any other helpful information? If you can help, please phone her on 011 943 1001.
That’s it for this week. Shop till you drop!
Julie
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
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