With everything that’s going on the world right now, it might not feel like there’s very much to celebrate. But despite the global pandemic, widespread lockdown and ongoing social injustices we are all grappling with, people are still having birthday’s, getting engaged, and celebrating small victories.
And although we are separated from our friends and families by borders, walls and curfews, being able to spoil and celebrate the ones you love is one of life’s greatest joys – even it is from a distance. So while you might not be able to show up with a bunch of flowers, help them blow out the candles, or ‘cheers’ a glass of champagne, you can still show them how much they mean to you with a thoughtful and unique lockdown gift.
10 Great Gifts to give during Lockdown
1 A Virtual Skincare Consultation with Cape Aesthetics
There’s nothing like a facial to make you look and feel your glowing best. In the absence of the real thing, a virtual skincare consultation is a close second! Skincare enthusiasts will absolutely love the opportunity to discuss every single one of their lockdown skincare concerns with a professional while at home, in their sweatpants.
Cape Aesthetics is offering professional consultations via video chat during stay at home orders. The consultation involves a 45 minute video call, where you get to discuss all your concerns with Sally Gilder, a licensed Aesthetic Therapist with more than 10 years of experience. The cost of the consultation is R500, which entitles the holder to a voucher of the same value that you can use towards either a skincare treatment or a skincare product when lockdown ends.
Shop: R500 via Cape Aesthetics
2 A Virtual Dining Experience by Matt Manning
While going out for a big gourmet dinner is not on the table right now, why not spoil the foodie you love with an interactive gourmet dinner at home? Matt Manning is one of Cape Town’s most celebrated chefs, and his virtual dining offer is the perfect gift for food enthusiasts.
The unique interactive dining experience involves 5 gourmet courses. Three of the courses arrive fully prepared by Chef Matt Manning himself, while the starter and main course are prepared at home, following along to simple video tutorial from Chef Matt. Sounds like a special night in to me! The menu includes gourmet dishes like pan roasted West Coast hake, with a leek and potato veloute white beans, bacon and mussels – and that’s just the starter!
Shop: R625 per person via Chef Matt Manning
3 A Masterclass Membership
A photography class by Annie Leibowitz. A private online lesson by Serena Williams. Or an acting class by by Natalie Portman. These are just a few of the unbelievable classes available on Masterclass. There are thousands more to choose from, ranging from design, fashion and photography to business, politics and society.
Members can learn anywhere, on any device, making this the perfect gift for someone with a variety of interests. An all-access 1-year pass costs $15 per month, billed annually.
Shop: $15 per month via Masterclass
4 A Petal & Post Flower Delivery Subscription
Fresh flowers delivered every week, two weeks, or month is the gift that keeps on giving – literally. A Petal & Post subscription is a great gift when you want to remind someone how special they are over and over again.
Petal & Post delivers around Joburg and Cape Town, and you can decide whether you’d like to send one of their R245 posies once a week, twice a month or every month. They also have a selection of other goodies to add to your order, like delicious MaMere treats and Oh-Lief baby products.
Shop: From R245 via Petal & Post
5 A Custom Digital Portrait by Natalie Roos
Hey, if I can’t advertise my own art on my own blog, then what am I doing? You can purchase a custom hand-drawn digital illustration from your favourite photograph on my Etsy shop, which will be delivered digitally within 48 hours. You can print it wherever you are in the world on the paper or canvas of your choice, or send it directly to your loved one for them to have printed out when they’re ready.
Shop: $40 via Etsy
6 A Best10 Transformation Subscription
If your loved one is missing their workout routine and daily fitness session, this is the perfect gift! Best10 is one-size-doesn’t-fit-all fitness app, offering a tailored 10-week program and daily support. The customized workout and eating plans are supported by daily check-ins from a dedicated coaching team. Whether your loved one is trying to lose weight, get fit, get their confidence back or survive stay at home orders, this is a great gift to help them get there. It even includes a starter pack, including a Best10 mat and resistance bands.
Shop: R8850 via Best10
7 Local Restaurant Delivery
Taking someone out for a 1-on-1 dinner at their favourite restaurant is one of my favourite (and I’ll be honest, most selfish) ways to celebrate their special occasion. If cooking is not your loved one’s idea of a treat, have their favourite dish sent to their door via UberEats, OrderIn or order directly from the restaurant. Not only is this a great gift that you can send from anywhere in the world (I had donuts delivered in San Diego from Nairobi via UberEats!) but you’ll also be supporting local businesses and people.
Shop: If you’ve never used UberEats before, you can download it now and use my code eats-pq4v4 to get $7 off your first order!
8 A Hair Salon Voucher
When the world finally does open back up, there are going to be a lot of highlights and root touch-ups required! Help support local salons and keep your loved ones hair hopes alive by purchasing a salon voucher for them now, to use in the future.
Shop: I have been going to Scar Hair in Cape Town for 10 years, and can highly recommend everything about them! You can shop for vouchers via their website scar.com. In the past I’ve also gifted a package of 6 blowdrys at Blowdry Co. in Joburg. You could do the same with any salon in the city your loved one calls home.
9 A Patreon Subscription to their Favourite Podcast
Patreon is a platform where creators can get paid for their work by their fans. Lots of excellent podcasts have premium content available via their Patreon platforms, which allow fans to interact with them or gain access to episodes, etc that they don’t publish anywhere else. If your loved one is a fan of podcasts, they’ll enjoy a subscription to their fave’s premium content!
Shop: Search Patreon for podcasts like Arseblog (Arsenal fans), Comments by Celebs (pop culture fans), Casefile (true crime fans).
10 A Yuppiechef Gift Hamper
We’ve all spent more time than ever before in our kitchens, and some of us have even found a new love for home cooking. If this is the case for your loved one, a hamper of kitchen or cooking goodies could be just what they’ve been dreaming of! They’ve got a great selection of curated gift hampers, ranging from coffee essentials for the wannabe barista, to baking essentials for the aspiring pastry chef.
Shop: Gifting via Yuppiechef
I hope this list has given you a couple ideas for thoughtful and unique gifts for the ones you love who have to celebrate their birthday or another special occasion under lockdown during a global pandemic!
