Think out the box this Christmas, with stunning gifts to bring joy to one’s loved-ones well into 2015 and beyond. From oysters and Champagne at Fairlawns, to a safari at Tau, to a taste menu and wine-pairing at Clico, to a spa indulgence and picnic at Valley Lodge & Spa, to a make-over by Chata Romano, to acquiring soft skills at the School of Etiquette, to a beautiful painting or commissioned portrait from Art Investments Gallery, to a trip into the romance of steam and heritage travel at The Stars of Sandstone in the Eastern Free-State. Be original this year with these choice gifts below.

You could indulge the special one in your life with a gift that will pave their future to success in life and in business, such a Chata Romano make-over, or even a Chata Romano style consultant’s course for a glossy new career. When you LOOK good, you FEEL good and that sets the pace for your creating your ticket to success by portraying the right image with www.chataromano.com

Now that your gift is helping someone LOOK good, why not further that experience by providing them with a further tool to success in business and in life: offer a voucher for a refinement course at The School of Etiquette in Sandhurst. It is a known fact people with soft skills get further in life as they are described as having the ‘X-Factor’ – it is possible for everyone to acquire these valuable traits to feel confident and impress people they come in contact with www.etischool.co.za

Since acquiring the skills of refinement, why not indulge in a beautiful portrait of your loved-one or family – or simply offer them a voucher to purchase a painting of their choice at the very affordable Art Investments Gallery in Parkhurst, renowned for its stunning etchings in support of great local artists on their way to stardom…a gift that will be appreciated for generations as well as a smart investment by www.artinvestments.co.za

Then there is the romance of steam and heritage relics of days gone by brought to pristine working order for the entertainment of guests from across the globe at the annual Stars of Sandstone Heritage & Steam Festival set for 2-12 April 2015 in the Eastern Free-State bordering the majestic Maluti Mountains, in the region of Ficksburg and Clarence. Visit www.sandstone-estates.com.

These gifts would certainly bring joy to those who receive it and here’s hoping they’d return the compliment by rewarding you with a similar gift of substance…they’ll certainly love you for having been original and thinking out of the box this Festive Season. Merry Christmas, Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Jabulela Ukhisimusi, Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi, Geseende Kersfees – with bells on.