Visitors can expect an array of top-class vendors when the fifth annual The Gift Market takes place in Hermanus, Western Cape, from December 16 to 23.
This unique and popular Christmas market, which invites the whole family, is hosted by Lizette Conradie at Curro Hermanus Independent School and will be open daily from 10am to 6pm but until 5pm on the 23rd.
There will be something for everyone; toys and child accessories, gadgets, home decor, jewellery, and fashion pieces, and lots more will be expected from various local vendors.
Food
That Food will share their collection of extraordinary, high quality, and handcrafted rubs and infused salts at the market. They aim to enlighten and inspire food and beverage lovers with their salts.
Dam Fine Products specialise in artisanal jams, chilli sauces, salts, and spices. From the farm, for your kitchen – and a perfect addition to your Christmas lunch.
Miss J.L.Hall’s Worcester Sauces will display a collection of eight varieties (original, no chilli, extra chilli, bliksemstraal (habanero), tomato, curried, smoked, and basting/salad dressing.
They don’t use any “nasties”- no preservatives, artificial colours, or flavours, and are gluten and MSG-free.
“Our Smoked Worcester sauce is our hero. It is traditionally cold smoked over oak for a fantastic taste and aroma without using liquid or powdered flavours,” said owner Johanna Hall.
Koekies & Beskuit will offer the perfect treat. They sell biscuits and rusks handmade in the old farm kitchen. The recipes used all come from the owner’s mother.
Theuniskraal Olive Oil focuses on four different olive cultivars (Frantoio, Leccino, Coratina, and Mission). The oil is packed in beautiful tins with six different designs to choose from.
They’ve also started a range of olive infused salt in four different flavours, and an olive inspired seasoning mix in six different recipes.
Home decor
Deco Blocks have wooden canvases with beautiful pictures and motivational quotes, which are lightweight and affordable.
Also, easily hung against a wall or placed on a shelf. There are so many to choose from or make your personalised blocks.
Coleen Blij will sell her antique and vintage linen at the market.
“I’ve been connected to the antique world for many years. My interest was piqued when I lived in the United Kingdom for 14 years, surrounded by vintage markets which included linen of all shapes, colours, and sizes,” said Blij.
“I loved spending time looking and appreciating their beauty. I started selling five years ago and have enjoyed every minute.”
Art
Marion’s Gallery will display various original works, beautifully framed oil paintings, cards, and more. This is paint done with lots of love, making any art lover’s heart jump for joy.
“I’ll be displaying original works, as well as cards which are images of work that has been done,” said owner Marion Cross.
“Those are prints with limited editions, so once I’ve printed the amount stated on the print, which is hand-signed, I will do no more of that particular one.”
MonHei Designs started with protea designs almost five years ago. The designs are hand-drawn and then converted to an embroidery file that an industrial embroidery machine can read.
After embroidering, each item is hand-painted with a unique layered painting technique. The paint is then heat set to make the functional art completely machine washable.
The range is then manufactured with 100 per cent cotton fabric. It includes cushions, shopping bags, sling bags, cosmetic bags, table linen, and serviettes.
Fashion
Dammit Janet consists of a mother-son design duo who creates locally-made clothing. Inspired by the beauty of cloth, colour, and print, they’ve put together a range of ponchos, kimonos, and kaftans.
“The simplicity of design allows us to give value at reasonable prices. This is so we can all enjoy fashion as a form of self-expression,” said designer Janet Dobie.
“We pride ourselves in our variety of choices and are the antithesis of mass-production.”
Mooi-Mooi’s products are proudly handmade and come from all over South Africa. They produce their clothing range with an emphasis on indigenous, colour, comfort, uniqueness.
Products include linen clothing made with designer fabric by Coralbloom studio featuring their indigenous flora. Also, dresses, tunics, tops, and jumpsuits.
Kimono tops and boho dresses, made with designer fabric by artist Nicci Stewart, will also be on display.
Jewellery
Twiice & Things sells good quality pre-loved clothing, beautiful scarves, handmade cosmetic bags, masks, and accessories.
Their Venda bangles, which are handmade using wire, are traditional to our heritage as they’re worn for celebrations. There are four colours available: silver, brass, copper, and dark silver charcoal.
Lofty & Nox will display handcrafted polymer clay earrings; every single piece is made from scratch. The clay used to make them are colour-mixed, rolled, cut, and decorated by hand. They’re then baked, sanded, and assembled.
“Polymer clay earrings are super lightweight. Even big statement earrings can be worn without pulling on your earlobes. The pieces are colourful, fun, and unique,” said owner Louise Greyling.
Suikerbos designs come from a love of making and a deep fascination with local botany. Inspiration from the fynbos and sea are hand-drawn and transformed into delicate organic shapes made into jewellery.
Baby
Babyknot sells baby accessories, blankets, bibs, teethers, dudu bunnies, and more. Each item is handmade with love and care.
“I taught myself to sew and have never looked back,” said Tamaryn Claassen, who is the creator, designer, seamstress, and photographer.
“Come and visit the stall to see the beautiful items on display.”
Piccolino Baby Boutique is an online baby store where you can put together a gift for a loved one or yourself and have it shipped directly to your door.
“We stock everything from organic skin products to natural fiber clothing, blankets, cot linen, and other essential items,” said owner Melanie Groenewald.
“We also stock some maternity products and eco-friendly wooden toys.”
Lienkerbel is owned by a mom of twins, Lienke and Isabel. She specialises in handmade teething accessories, from silicone dummy clips to wooden teethers, handmade dudu blankies, and much more.
Miscellaneous
Company & Good is a local online business focused on supplying high quality and affordable leather treatment cream. They also produce unique handmade designer leather products (handbags, travel bags, bow ties, and more, with the occasional custom-made furniture piece thrown in the mix.
“We aim to use the best quality materials to ensure our products are made to last, perhaps even a lifetime,” said owners Gino and Marquerite Gottardo.
Shop till you drop’s Linky van der Merwe creates and sells various fabric bags such as pencil, make-up, handbags, and purses.
Her most popular bag, the multi-purpose bag (with XL plastic container), is used by teachers and students mostly, but can also be used for shopping, picnics, braaing, camping, or going to the beach.
Story Team is an educational theatre company in the Overberg. They educate through theatre and are also an agent for NB Publishers.
They have wonderful books for little ones, must-reads for the youth and adults, as well as finger-licking cookbooks – ready for Christmas.
These are only some of the beautiful stalls that will be at The Gift Market.
It is also wheelchair-friendly. Covid-19 protocol will be in place, and card and cash payments will be accepted.
This year they have a whole team of people involved to ensure everything runs as smoothly as silk; Janet Corado (market manager), Johan Conradie (finance), Roux Wessels (logistics), and Moonstone PR (marketing).
Visit The Gift Market on Facebook to enter a competition where you can win one of two R500 vouchers to spend at the market.
Enter here: https://web.facebook.com/thegiftmarket1.
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