The CapeTownMagazine.com Gift Guide

Best UPSs for loadshedding, hotels nights, affordable luxury + 16 other gift ideas 

Last updated: 13 December 2022

Good gifts surprise and delight. This year’s gifts – post-pandemic and in the middle of loadshedding and economic struggles – need to do one better, and also actually be useful. Which is why this year's Gift Guide is made possible by Gizzu, the brand that is solving South Africa's No.1 problem – loadshedding. 

UPSs TO GET YOU THROUGH LOADSHEDDING – GIZZU

If there was an SA Best Gift of the year award: a UPS would win hands down. Our team tried out Gizzus to power wifi, lights, laptops, phones, TVs and Netflix during loadshedding. Many of the Gizzus do double duty, so you can take them camping, there’s even one that jump-starts your car, too. Read about these loadshedding solutions, tried and tested by the CapeTownMagazine.com team.

Price: From R998 for the 30W Mini UPS

Buy: Order any of the UPS devices for load-shedding on Takealot

Follow on Instagram: @gizzu_za | Image: Gizzu

FOR OFFICE SECRET SANTA – KWAITO KOEKSISTER

You have just R50 to spend. Find funky, artsy accessories that you won’t find in an ordinary retail store. From unisex rocker t-shirts and Nik Naks earrings to a mug for every mood. 

Our digital editor Lara loves: The entire Stranger Things section at Kwato Koeksister

Price: From R44 for iron-on patches

Buy: From Kwaito Koeksister online

Follow on Instagram: @kwaitokoeksister | Image: Kwaito Koeksister 

GIVE-ME-VEGAN OR GIVE-ME-DEATH – APOTHACAFE

Dessert-inspired vegan candles and diffusers. Scented candles packaged as chocolate bars, macarons, croissants and even a breakfast smoothie. 

Good to know: Order before 20 December. Takes 4-5 business days to process + ship

Price: From R100 for a chocolate bar candle

Buy: Get it from Apothacafe

Follow on Instagram: @apothecafe | Image: Apothacafe 

FOR AVID TRAVELLERS, BUSINESS PEOPLE – PROKARD

Free hotel nights, a number of 2-for-1 stays, up to 50% off on food bills, and you can share it with friends. 

Each CapeTownMag team has one: All of us love the benefits so much, we organised a 30% discount for every CapeTownmagazine.com reader. 

Price: R1,850 a year; R1,295 with our reader discount of 30%

Join: From Prokard Explorer website

Follow on Instagram: @marriotthotels | Image: Marriott Hotel

A TREAT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – AGAINST THE GRAIN

This halaal café in Bo-Kaap makes some really special Cape Malay dishes. Get freshly made koesisters from Against the Grain – made by owner Gesant Abed’s mother. 

Founder Marcus orders after Sunday morning hikes: “Some of the best koesisters in town.”

Price: R90 for a dozen, pre-order on Whatsapp: 081 015 6185

Buy: In-store,102 Wale Street in Bo-Kaap (above Deluxe Coffeeworks)

102 Wale Street | Bo-Kaap | Follow on Instagram: @againstthegraincoffeeco | Image: Against the Grain

FOR THOSE WANTING TO LEARN - GET SMARTER 

Know someone who’s looking to make a career change or to grow their skills in 2023? Or maybe this is a gift you’d like to give yourself. Get Smarter offers flexible courses from some of the world’s leading universities in a number of areas, including project management, digital marketing, business management and graphic design. 

Good to know: Register and pay for any UCT online course before 31 Jan 2023 and use UCTLEAP20 to get 20% off.

Price: From R14,900 (installment plans available)

Register: Here

Follow on Instagram: @getsmarter_online | Image: Get Smarter

IF THEY’RE MAD ABOUT HATS – THE REAL CRYSTAL BIRCH

An award-winning brand and the go-to for all things hat – boleros, boaters, fedoras, peaks, beanies and even a classic Jackie O. pillbox. 

Good to know: There are funky mini hats for kids

Price: From R980 for a straw bucket hat

Buy: In-store, 1st floor 42 Newmarket Street in Cape Town or shop online

FOR FANCY, FOODIE OVERSEAS GUESTS – HOLO WINES

A quintessentially South African brand with a vision of ubuntu – this is a great gift for wine-collecting visitors or relatives.

Our founder Marcus is a fan of: The Saranya, a red blend with aromas of plums, mulberries and warm spices

Price: Single bottles start at R250

Buy: Checkers, Pick n Pay, Tops or online with Holo Wines

Follow on Instagram: @holowines | Image: Holo Wines 

AFFORDABLE + STILL CUTE ATHLEISURE – GYM NERD 

Quality sports bras for about R300, men’s gym tops for under R400 and all made in South Africa. Good quality, local and more affordable than big brand names.

Note: Order 10 days before Christmas to get your gift in time

Price: From R219 for sports bras and R351 for vests

Shop: From Gymnerd online

Follow on Instagram: @gymnerdcpt | Image: Gym Nerd 

SWEETS FROM THE UK, US, TURKEY – THE SWEET SPOT

Make sweet hampers filled with international sweets like Reese’s cups, Sour Patch Kids and Mexican chamoy-mixed candy from this store in Bo-Kaap. 

Our content manager Simone is excited about: Making some sweet stocking fillers

Price: R35 for a Rip Rolls

Buy: In store at 97 Church Street in Bo-Kaap, open daily

97 Church Street | Bokaap | Cape Town | 071 369 6280 | Follow on Instagram: @thesweetspot.cpt  | Image: Sarah Jarvis 

PREGNANT AND MISSING THOSE G&Ts – THE DUCHESS

No FOMO. The Duchess range, which started with the alcohol-free gin & tonic, is low in sugar. Crisp in flavour, they come in botanical or floral flavours. 

Our editor-in-chief Joonji drank it through her pregnancy: They saved her from too-sweet soft drinks, and they do not have an artificial taste.

Price: From R350 for a pack of 24

Where to get it: Buy it in bulk on Takealot

Follow on Instagram @drinktheduchess | Image: The Duchess

PIMPED-OUT SOCKS (AND TIGHTS) – FEAT SOCK CO.

Socks as a gift? When they’re this whimsical and wonderful, yes. Find socks and tights with springbok, sunflower, watermelon and yacht designs. (p.s. They also sell stationery and greeting cards.)

Our editorial intern Julia is eyeing: Their nature-themed weekly planners for 2023

Price: Socks start at R142 a pair

Buy: From Feat Sock Co. online

EVERYDAY PRODUCTS THAT SAVE THE PLANET – FAIRTRADE

Get Rwandan coffee, tea or a case of red, white or vegan-friendly wine endorsed by Fairtrade. By choosing Fairtrade products, you can help farming communities improve their lives.

Good to know: You could win a weekend winelands getaway by doing this 2-minute Fairtrade quiz
Price: From R99 for Rwandan coffee beans

Buy: Buy here

Follow on Instagram: @fairtrade_africa | Image: Fairtrade

FANCY SOAPS FOR AUNTIE + OUMA – AUNTIE CLARA

A range of moisturising handcrafted soaps that are gentle on the skin, with scents like mojito or hazelnut nougat, plus buttermilk baby soap for toddlers.

Good to know: Handcrafted soap is gentler and more conditioning than industrial soap.

Price: Most products are R70

Buy: Shop Auntie Clara's online 

LUXURY CHOCOLATE FOR A SWEETHEART – HIPPOLYTAS 

The 26-piece Experience Kit of five perfect pralines in all kinds of chocolates and flavours is such a thoughtful gift. Includes truffles in Graham Beck Champagne, Cookie Dough, Key Lime Pie and more flavours.

Good to know: The chocolates come in a beautiful compact box, like a ready-made gift.

Price: R395 for the 26-piece box

Buy: At the V&A Food Market, Canal Walk or shop online

Follow on Instagram: @hippolytaschocolate | Image: Hippolytas

FOR THAT FASHIONISTA FRIEND – NJE CURATED FASHION

Upmarket, daring patterns and designs. From athleisure to 3-in-1 capes, Nje has a mix of classic and bold clothes.

Editor-in-chief Joonji owns: A few items, from a button-down trench skirt to pink high-waisted pink bell bottoms.

Price: From R1200 for a dress

Buy: In store at Village Shop O39 Cape Quarter (27 Somerset Road, Greenpoint) 

DISCOUNT FOR DAREDEVILS – WHITE SHARK DIVING

Gift a bucket-list adventure in the great white capital of the world,. Use our discount code “CAPETOWNMAG” and get R400 off a shark-cage diving tour.

Good to know: White Shark Diving Company (WSDC), the number 1 adventure experience in Gansbaai, according to TripAdvisor reviews.

Price: Discounted rate of R1800 pp (R2200 normally)

Buy: Book online with White Shark Diving Company

Follow on Instagram: @whitesharkco | Image: WSCD

THE ULTIMATE SPOIL – CAROL BOUWER BAGS 

A bespoke range of handbags made with raw African materials by powerful women and inspired by powerful women like Esther Mahlangu.

Good to know: Bags are made from ethically sourced exotic leather

Price: From R18 000 for the Katy Bag

Buy: Online with Carol Bouwer Bags

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DISCOVER MORE DECEMBER SPIRIT

Check out these festive Christmas events.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a bang.

And make the most out of New Year’s Day.

Discover +7 things to do this weekend.

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