Conscious Christmas gifting 2024

Like every year I am in two minds about creating this gift guide. Because it does take an awful long time to create but every time I enjoy the process so much of finding gifts that are conscious, practical and thoughtful. I did not think I could come up with enough new and interesting products. But people are busy creating all the time and there are so many new special gifts on the market. Most of the gifts are local but I also included a few products from overseas. I already own some of these products, others are still on my wish list. The prices also range from R90 to R6500, so there is something for everyone. This is not just a foodie gift guide but for everyone that wants to live a more sustainable, thoughtful life and not be swept away by mass consumerism.

Kitchen Finds-PDF with clickable links

1. Beautiful and elegant gold and wood measuring cup and spoon set from Yuppiechef. I would love this for cooking videos and styling. It is a lovely gift for a friend who enjoys baking.
2. I have not tried this Rooibos cordial by Two in a Bush but see all the love on social media. It will make a great gift with some biscuits.
3. I still think my WSK Meal planner is very useful and practical and makes a great gift. Add some kitchen goodies and  and turn it into a hamper.
4. Woolworths have so many beautiful and practical foodie gifts. I love anything with enamel. So this Cornbread mix with enamel tray is a winner in my books.
5. These Baskiti baskets are my just gorgeous and can be used in the kitchen, patio or in the playroom.
6. If I had a pizza oven this set will Pizza making set by Pedersen + Lennard be on whish list.
7. This Mourvedre Rose is just beautiful and will make a great gift in a hamper with some savoury biscuits and cheese.
8. Last year I added  Victorinox kitchen scissors (which was one of my gifts I got for Christmas (by the way) Best present, loved using it in my kitchen this year. But my other favourite thing to use in the kitchen is my microplane grater. Mine is already 15 years old and I could do with an upgrade. Love this microplane grater with wooden handle from Yuppiechef.
9. Another gift from Yuppiechef. These Souper Cubes are a very practical and handy gift to freeze leftovers and soup. After freezing them, pop them out and freeze in bags and label. This is great to stock your freezer.

Home and Work-PDF with clickable links

1.  One of my friends have one of these Thandana cooler bags. They look stylish for a braai or a road trip. Use them for wine or coffee flask.
2.  recently decided that I want to have more candles in our home, for the ambiance but also the lovely smell. These candles from Amanada Jayne is just lovely and smells amazing!
3. Give the gift of flowers to a friend that is a keen gardener. They will bloom for years to come. Order from Adene’s farm flowers
4. A friend gave me this calendar from Babylonstoren for my birthday and I can ‘t wait to use it next year and then to also wrap gifts in the beautiful multi-use wrapping paper.
5. The deskStand is a great husband for a husband or wife that spends too much time behind a computer.
6. Love these conversation cards from Poetry. Such a great way to encourage conversation between family and friends.
7. What can I say about the Fieldbar, it is just the most stylish and beautiful coolerbox in al the land.
8. A once off or monthly flower subscription from Petal and Post. Now that is a order that I will look forward to,
9. One of my friends always wears these minimalist earrings from Ateljee and I think they are just gorgeous.

1. Lemon curd makes a great gift in a jar. Also, bake some shortbread with it and make a beautiful label.
2. Chocolate chip cookies in a jar are a thoughtful gift and the jar can be re-used.
3. Giant chocolate chip cookie Place in a small pizza box and decorate with foilage and a pretty ribbon.
4. A quick recipe from my blog, fill a tin, jar or box with Peanut butter biscuits
5. Make a large batch of  Carrot cake granola and gift it in jars
6. Biscotti is so easy to bake and less time-consuming than baking rusks. Use interesting flavour combinations or dip Biscotti in chocolate and nuts to turn it into a luxury gift.
7. Savoury biscuits with a chutney and cheese hamper are a great gift for a hostess. If you could make it yourself even better.
8. Cordial is a great refreshing summer drink, just add water or a tonic. Experiment with different flavours. Store in a pretty bottle. Add a tag and ribbon. To make it even more glamorous make up a hamper with fruits and herbs and fancy tonic water.
9. Plant cuttings, a gift that will not cost you a lot is to create your own plants through propagation. If you have never done this watch this great tutorial by Sadia from Pick up limes. Start growing the cuttings now for Christmas. Plant in a pretty pot.

Gift Experiences-PDF with clickable links

Workshops are great gifts because it does not add to the gift clutter, you can learn a new skill and create memories with friends and family. Not all of these classes have dates yet for 2023 but email them and find out if you can buy a voucher for the next workshop.

1. Skillshare is an amazing app where you will learn a ton of stuff from experts. It will make a great gift for an entrepreneur or even a teen that wants to learn some new things. Buy a friend a month subscription for $10.
2. Buying a book voucher on Audible is also a great gift, I have done this a few times for friends and family and even a teacher that was immigrating. Sign them up and a voucher will be e-mailed to them.
3. If you have a friend, mother, sister struggling in the kitchen I would love to help them out with new inspiration, skills and systems. Book a Kitchen Edit session
4. Umami food studio in Midrand host amazing Korean classes and sells dumpling kits and cordials. Get in contact with Rany to book a class.
5. Madeline is a whizz with styling and sorting out wardrobes. Book a Master wardrobe session for a loved one that needs some new inspiration with dressing.
6. Lilian Gray hosts amazing paint nights for couples or friends throughout the year.
7. Online watercolour course by Jess Meyer. Watercolour made simple
8. Veld and Sea is a coastal foraging and cooking class in Cape Town. It is on my bucket list to attend one day.
9. Join me Wooden spoon kitchen for an ice cream workshop at the lovely Ganico farm in Muldersdrift. Email me to find out about the next event.

Zero Waste PDF with clickable links

1. Leaving this one from last year because it is still one of my favourite gifts to give to friends and family. Dish and bowl covers from Spaza store. I use them so often, and absolutely love my dish covers. Use these beautiful covers instead of cling wrap. Functional and pretty.
2. These slab of seed bars are just so clever and makes a great little gift for a friend or hostess gift.
3. Bee Kind Giftbag-Love the bee candles and natural soap. It will make a lovely gift.
4. Loccitane shampoo bar– I got this as a gift and the smell is amazing!
5. Seeded Christmas cards, are such a clever idea to add to your special gifts
6. A Stanley mug, my husband got it for me for my birthday and last year he got it as a corporate gift. We have loved using it on road and work trips. More coffee from home and less coffee on the road in containers.
7. Another thoughtful gift from Woolies, a sourdough starter kit if you want to start your sourdough journey. With a cute glass jar to get you going.
8. Love this beautiful durable canvas shopping bag from Yuppiechef
9. Overnight composter from Microgarden. I think they would make composting a breeze

Conscious Gifts for Children-PDF with clickable links

1. I can just imagine my son putting this can crasher from Stumped wooden toys together and then using it afterwards
2. My daughter is a big reader and I am always looking for books for her. She really enjoyed these books from Katherine Rundell and the great things is that she has written a few books, so just buy a box set.
3. Envirokid has so many great options but I really love this Cable car kit. I can imagine that it will keep my son busy for hours.
4. These Advent cookies are popping up everywhere, I do think they are very cute. Children will love the countdown to Christmas.
5. eeBoo puzzles are are on the list again, because they are just great and beautiful. My daughter enjoyed building her puzzle so much last year and I will be getting her another one this year.
6. Mindful me is like the Big life journals of the US, it leads the child on a journey of self-discovery as they learn the social-emotional skills in child friendly way.
7. These plankies are just so fun. And there are so many possibilities to use them. This is a great open-ended toy for young and old.
8. Who would not want a giant sunflower kit? I also want one, great gift for little gardeners.
9. Beautiful illustrated memory game for small children to learn more about nature.

Wellness Gift guide-PDF with clickable links

I am adding a new section this year, Wellness gifts because we all need to be looking after our own and our friends and family’s wellbeing.

1. Castor oil and pelvic pack, this one is a little out there. But I am hearing great things about the health benefits of castor oil. For all kinds of health issues. It reduce inflammation and pain. Has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, promoting liver detoxification, pain and inflammation reduction, and supporting digestive, uterine, and ovarian health.
2. The All Natural Magnesium Body Butter is an indulgent, creamy moisturiser that utilizes the benefits of magnesium. This vital mineral has qualities that can help with muscle stiffness and provide relaxation
3. Saw these beautiful Cork yoga mats on Takealot, they are affordable and functional. The straps could also be ordered from Ume, they don’t have a website but I can give you the details if you are interested.
4. There are so many wonderful things to order from Harvest Table. So just gift a voucher. I could not choose my favourite product.
5.  I love shea body butter from Faithfull to nature but but don’t always buy if for myself. So spoil a friend with this luxurious cream.
6. An oil burner, to harness the wonderful health benefits of essential oils. Also works with loadshedding:)
7. A set of essential oils to use in the oil burner or for other remedies. I use essential oils a few times a week. It smells wonderful but is also good for our families’ health.
8. I have the first book from Melissa Delport, this recipe book Heal is beautifully photographed with recipes focussing on healthy eating with plant-based recipes
9. Be kind to your mind, gift a friend a subscription to Headspace a wellbeing and meditation app

Hope you enjoyed this guide and find it useful.

Please share around so we can also help support local businesses.

May Christmas be a time of joy and peace for you and your family.