Christmas Gift Guide: Secret Santa gifts

Secret Santa gifts.  Hmm...can be loads of fun to by but also sometimes quite a challenge if it's for people you don't know too well -  colleagues, or friends of friends or sometimes even the 'Orphan Christmas Secret Santa' scenario.  

Secret Santa gifts are supposed to be light hearted and fun, within a certain budget and with that in mind, we've made it easy for you this year and pulled together a few perfect gift ideas that will make you a very sought after 'Secret' Santa - and they are all under R100!  *Like*

1.  Bah Humbug Tin - R60

2. Whoopee cushion - R80

3.  Yo Yo - R85

4.  Sweeties Jar - R90

5.  Love vouchers - R30

6.  Money box - R65

7. Notebook 'Free Pass - Not done? Tomorrow is another day' - R40

Which? Guide - Cushions

I love a cushion.  I do.  Cushions are the perfect little accessories for a lounge or even bedroom.  They could be that finishing touch, the colour pop that you need to lift a room, the 'thing' that pulls it all together.  They can be big squishy comfy feather cushions, or small neat 'just for show' cushions but I love them and I think they really can be a nice touch.  Of course men don't understand why on earth you need to fill your couch with 20 cushions to make it look better but bless them, that's OK.  We understand :)

Here is a little guide to the lovely cushions at The Ruby Orchard - just waiting to sit on your couch:

KISS ME VINTAGE

Price: R260 (S), R350 (L)

Prettiness:  Simple, bold and a bit edgy 

Usability:   Perfect for a covered outdoor area

Our star rating:  4/5 stars

 Source   

 
SKINNY LA MINX

Price:  R320

Prettiness:  Fun, funky and bright

Usability:   Just what your couch is waiting for, perfect for curling up against

Our star rating:  5/5 stars

A walk back through our blog

With 2014 drawing to a close I have been reflecting on 2014, our triumphs and the lessons I have learnt. Our little shop nestled in the funny old town of Howick continues to grow and spread a little bit of prettiness around South Africa and beyond.

I have taken a walk back through our blog posts of 2014 and here are a few of my faves...

1//   At the start of the year I wrote a little mantra. Make a plan, be original and work hard.  I think I can safely say I have followed these rules and goals set by myself for myself -  Aspirations for 2014.

2// I absolutely love living in the Midlands, lush green countryside, great places to eat, shop and retreat to on sunny afternoons and lazy Sundays.  Check out my top 5 places to visit in the Midlands - Midlands Rocks top 5.

3// I get a total kick out of finding new talent, brilliant products and unique items we can stock.  This blog series has seen us interview the people behind the products in our shop.  We asked them how it all began, their hopes and dreams and even their favourite song. Heather from Skinny La Minx, Sam from Isla Designs, Nicole from Pret a pot are just a few, you can see the whole series here -  Feature on Creative.

4// The absolute best part of my job, turning someone's junk into someone else's treasure. Transforming tired old timber into beautiful, one off pieces seriously excites me and we seem to be getting something right here... as you just keeping buying it!   Here I wrote about preserving the past. You can view some of our best bits in the furniture gallery. 

5// 2014 has seen The Ruby Orchard team running workshops for Creative business owners.  My confidence as a business owner is growing and so I wrote some tips for new businesses -  Business tips.  I'll be writing more of these in 2015!

Christmas gifts: Stocking fillers

When we were kids, we each had a Christmas stocking (or pillowcase actually ) which we would put out on Christmas Eve and it would magically be filled with presents of all sorts of shapes and sizes on Christmas morning.  The Christmas stocking/pillowcase was sometimes the most exciting part of Christmas morning, because it was filled with lots of little gifts painstakingly wrapped by *Santa* (aka Mom).  Although each present was just a little something: bubble bath or a keyring, an action figure or a chocolate - they were always something that we loved and sometimes they felt like the most special gift in the whole world. 

Here are a few gift ideas from The Ruby Orchard that we think would be perfect stocking fillers for Christmas.

1.  Slinky spring - R130

2. Pencil crayons R90

3. Coasters - R99

4.  2015 Diary - R140

5. Keyrings - R35

6.  Washi tape - R34

7. Skinny La Minx change purse R99