Father Christmas probably can’t afford to be as generous as he would have liked to be but calls for a more considered and creative approach to gifting. Image: Canva
Five festive gift ideas that keep on giving
With SA’s petrol price, Father Christmas probably can’t afford to be as generous with gifts as he would have liked to be.
Father Christmas probably can’t afford to be as generous as he would have liked to be but calls for a more considered and creative approach to gifting. Image: Canva
‘Tis the season for giving but it is also the season in which the petrol price in South Africa has reached a new all-time high and consumer spending is under severe pressure.
Unusual gift ideas for Christmas in 2021
The situation means that Father Christmas probably can’t afford to be as generous as he would have liked to be but calls for a more considered and creative approach to gifting.
Rather than splurge on spoils – many of which are often nice but unnecessary – here’s a list of “alternative” gift ideas, some of which keep giving throughout the year, while others help to ease some of the ongoing financial pressure people are feeling.
Game on
An Xbox or a Playstation is sure to be on many wish lists this festive season but for those on a tight budget, it may just seem out of reach. Luckily Teljoy, the rent to own provider, makes it possible to rent gaming consoles on a monthly basis. It’s a model that allows you to forego the large upfront cost of purchasing the console outright but rather lets you access it on a monthly basis. What’s more, the cost of renting the console includes maintenance and insurance of the unit, plus the option to upgrade or downgrade at any time.
Spick n span
Lighten the domestic load for a loved one this Christmas and right into the New Year by hooking them up with a regular cleaning service, such as those offered by SweepSouth.
A SweepStar makes quick work of cleaning, gifting your loved one with the luxury of time (and a clean home!). SweepSouth now also have pre-vetted gardeners, painters, pool cleaners and handymen on their books, so you could even organise the gift of home maintenance for a friend or relative this festive season.
Thank you for the music
The gift of music (and podcasts and concerts) is sure to be widely welcomed by both young and old this festive season.
Audio streaming service Spotify’s gift cards make the ideal present for those who love to discover new music or learn new things via a dynamic podcast. You may even want to take it a step further and purchase a full subscription to the service for a friend or family member. There’s also nothing wrong with signing yourself up too!
Take the grrr out of grudge purchase
Insurance premiums aren’t known as grudge purchases for anything. Paying a monthly premium for something you may never need but can’t risk going without, in case something does happen, is nobody’s idea of a great way to spend money.
Ease the burden for a friend this Christmas by offering to pay their monthly car insurance premium. It’s up to you whether it’s a once-off or if you can afford to do it monthly or three, six or even 12 months. MiWay Blink offers comprehensive car insurance for example and guarantees no paperwork and no long phone calls, thanks to the smart tech it uses.
