With Christmas around the corner, we’re celebrating the beauty of thoughtful gifting — pieces crafted with intention, artistry and a distinctly South African sensibility. From iconic textiles and sculptural ceramics to mood-enhancing lamps and sensory treasures, this year’s guide draws on the best of local and international design available right here at home.
Ardmore’s ‘Thanda Nests’ Tabletop Collection
A celebration of new beginnings, family gatherings and togetherness, Ardmore’s Thanda Nests tablecloths, napkins, plates, runners, placemats and ornaments make a joyful addition to festive tables. Inspired by the delicate architecture of the Weaver bird’s nest, each piece brings warmth, colour and storytelling into the home. Shop online or in Ardmore stores nationwide.
Portable Lamps to Covet
For the design lover, portable lighting is the gift that keeps on glowing. From sculptural silhouettes to glossy finishes, these rechargeable gems add instant ambience:
- Pose LED Light in ‘High Gloss Puffy’, POA, Tom Dixon at Créma Design
- Melt Large Lamp, POA, Tom Dixon at Créma Design
Ardmore x Patrick Mavros: Jewellery with Story and Soul
This year, the creative sisterhood of Fée Halsted (Ardmore) and Catja Mavros (Patrick Mavros) shone brightly at the Chelsea Flower Show. Their union reflects something rare: a shared devotion to heritage, nature and the kind of craftsmanship that endures across generations.
Ardmore’s whimsical, wildlife-inspired ceramics meet Patrick Mavros’ sculptural, heirloom-worthy jewellery in a celebration of African artistry. For a gift imbued with meaning, look to their collaborative spirit and unmistakable aesthetic.
ardmore.com | patrickmavros.com
Ash Ceramics: Sculptural Pieces for the Design Devotee
Cape Town-based ceramicist Catherine ‘Cat’ Ash continues to captivate with her sculptural vases, candles and crockery. As a former Design Indaba Emerging Creative, she brings both technique and playfulness to every piece. Her petite vases — gifted to last year’s Designers of the Year winners — are perfect stocking fillers for lovers of handmade treasures.
Wild Story Candles: Scents that Stir the Imagination
More than just fragrance, The Wild Story offers sensory experiences rooted in South Africa’s wild botanicals. Each crystal-topped candle is poured into a hand-cast porcelain vessel with a brass-set semi-precious stone — a future heirloom designed to be refilled, cherished and displayed. With evocative scents like Soleil, Chapter 8 and Magic Hour, these candles feel like chapters from a novel — atmospheric, elemental and deeply personal.
the-wild-story.com | @thewildstory
Surrealist Candlesticks: A Dalí-esque Touch
For a whimsical twist, these surreal candlesticks nod to the rising Dalí aesthetic:
- Gable Laterite Candle Holder, R190, Babylonstoren
- Rafiki Candle Holder, R649, Rialheim
- Osaka Candle Holder, R1 100, Pedersen + Lennard
- Gable Laterite Candle Holder, R190, Babylonstoren
- Rafiki Candle Holder, R649, Rialheim
- ‘Wound Up’ Candlestick, R1 799, Carrol Boyes
- Curved Candle Holders (Set of Two), R1 900, Société by Giorgio
Perfect for the bold stylist or collector of conversation pieces.
Ceremony Matcha Tea: A Gift for Wellness Lovers
A calming, antioxidant-rich matcha designed for mindful rituals, Ceremony Matcha Tea is ideal for friends seeking clarity, energy and everyday grounding.
Mayu Swirl Carafe: Water, Elevated
A luxurious, hand-crafted carafe that aerates and balances water, the Mayu Swirl is both functional and sculptural — perfect for those who appreciate fine homeware.
Babylonstoren Coffee Table Book
A celebration of one of the Cape’s most iconic wine farms, this 250-page tome showcases Babylonstoren’s gardens, winery, farm-to-table philosophy and design heritage. With breathtaking photography and behind-the-scenes stories, it’s a gift for dreamers, gardeners and armchair travellers alike.
R790, babylonstoren.com
This festive season, the art of gifting lies in choosing pieces that tell stories — treasures shaped by skilled hands, rooted in place, and destined to be cherished long after the decorations come down. Whether it’s a sculptural lamp, a handcrafted ceramic, a scent that stirs memory, or a beautifully bound book, each item in this guide offers more than utility: it brings warmth, wonder and a touch of design magic into everyday life.
This information is courtesy of House & Garden Magazines
Sustainable Style: Thoughtful Design for Home, Leisure & Lifestyle
