Welcome to our Halloween Guide 2018...
Kids are already terrifying just on what they cost... is this really necessary?
Date: Thursday, 25 October 2018 from 19:15 – 21:30
Venue: PWC Bike Park, 1A Libertas Street & off Sloane Street, Bryanston, Sandton, Johanneburg.
Cost: Tickets cost between R50 – R120 per person. Click here to register.
Lace up your running shoes and grab the whole family for a night of spooky fun at the Biogen Halloween themed night trail run at PWC Bike Park. Choose an easy 5km or a more ambitious 8.5km run (gotta burn off that candy...) and the kids will have a blast with the trick or treat run. Make sure you dress up for the occasion, it is the spookiest time of the year after all. Online entries close on 25 October 2018 at 12:00, so hurry!
Date: Saturday, 27 October 2018 at 18:00
Venue: Killarney Country Club, 60 5th Street, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg
Cost: Tickets cost R100 per child. Adults watch movie free. Bookings can be made by emailing marketing@killarneycc.co.za
This one is perfect for the kids! Killarney Country Club is hosting a Kids Dress-Up Drive-In in celebration of the spooky season. Tickets include a screening of Hotel Transylvania 3, some “cheesy brains” (mac & cheese), popcorn, a fruit juice and water as well as entrance.
Parents can watch the movie FREE but will pay for any food ordered. And Halloween isn’t Halloween without dressing up so get the kids dressed up in their spookiest Halloween costume and they can stand a chance to win a prize.
Space is limited, so book your spots ASAP!
Date: Saturday, 27 October 2018
Venue: The Haunted Forest, Riversands Farm Village, Rose Road, Midrand, Johannesburg.
Cost: R125 – R150 per teen, R75 – R100 per child, R175 – R200 per adult. Click here to get your tickets.
There are two sessions to this event, one that’s family friendly and the other that’s adults only, so let's kick off with the PG-version one first!
For one day only, a 3km woodland walkway will scare the wits out of brave visitors with plenty of live thrilling treats and surprises, like creepy eyeballs and skeletons in unexpected places. The family can catch a "scary" movie (kid safe) on the big screen and enjoy tons of activities from treat or treating for the kids to creepy fun for all.
The only requirement? Dress up in your most ghoulish costume. Like a Gupta, or Kavanaugh maybe.
Date: Saturday, 27 October 2018 from 07:00 – 11:00
Venue: The Big Red Barn, 07 Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, Johannesburg.
Cost: Pre-entry is R75 per person, R100 per person on the day. Kids under 13 cost between R22 – R50. Dogs are FREE. Register here.
Please note: online entry end date is 26 October 2018.
The ultimate nightmare for dogs! This one is for the whole family, including your four-legged fur babies. Join AdventureTails and Bravecto for their fun "Tick or Treat" walk / run. Make sure to you and your doggies arrive dressed in your best Halloween costumes and you could win some awesome prizes (follow our newsletter for some ideas!).
Discovery Vitality members will earn 300 Vitality points on the 5km trail and 600 on the 10km route, so enjoy your candy, cos after crossing the finish line you can hangout and enjoy plenty of eats and drink.
Some lucky draws are in store and prizes up for grabs.
Date: Sunday, 28 October 2018 from 10:00 – 15:00
Venue: Greenstone Shopping Centre, corner Van Riebeeck and Modderfontein Road, Greenstone Hill, Johannesburg.
Looking for a good scare? Then take a tour through the Monster Funhouse, if you dare! Here, you will encounter and meet Doctor Frankenstein, Dracula’s Bride, Zombie Monsters and Warden the Werewolf, who’ll send chills up your spine.
This experience is limited to 200 kids aged 2 – 12 years old (parental supervision IS required) so click here to make your booking ASAP.
For bambinos: little trick or treaters aged 2 – 12 years old are invited to hunt throughout Greenstone and collect additional sweets at participating stores on the day. STOP DAD... NO, NO ONE BELIEVES YOU CAME AS TOM HANKS FROM "BIG".
Date: Sunday, 28 October 2018 from 10:30 – 14:00
Venue: Gillooly’s Farm, 47 Boeing Road West, Bedfordview, Johannesburg
Entry Donations: R30 per human adult, R10 per human child, R10 per fur child
This is a fun family event just for our doggos. Gather your furry friends and head to the Gillooly’s Farm for some tricks ‘n treats in the park. Enjoy delicious goodies and drink on sale which will keep you hydrated and fuelled throughout the event, and let’s not forget about the excitement of the fancy dress Howl-O-Ween competition for dressed-up doggies. There’ll be awesome pupper prizes up for grabs and the iconic Love-A-Bull bandannas and stylish SA merchandise will be on sale too.
Just keep in mind the rules for the day:
- Strictly ALL dogs to be kept on leash AT ALL TIMES!
- If a dog looks nervous, give them their space.
- Colour-coded bandannas should be used: Green – Friendly; Yellow – Nervous; Red – Caution, needs space.
Kinda wish humans had these too...
Date: Saturday, 03 November 2018 from 12:00 – 22:00
Venue: Outdoor Event Arena at Montecasino
Cost: Early Bird Adult – R100 per person; Phase 1 Adult – R150 per person; Phase 2 Adult – R200 per person; Kids Under 13 – R50 per child; Kids Under 18 – R80 per child.
Click here to get your tickets.
There’ll be more music, more food and a whole lot more fun for the entire family as we celebrate the Mexican Day Of The Dead festivities with Halloween décor, costumes, trick or treating and just a little bit of fun at the Festival de Mexico Halloween Festival at Montecasino.
Put the toilet paper in the fridge as you indulge in authentic and oh-so-delicious Mexican food from over 24 different food vendors, sample a variety of tequilas and Mexican cocktails, have a blast with piñata showdowns, a chilli eating competition, Mariachi bands, bull riding, face painting and let’s not forget the fun-filled kiddies area.
And that’s not all! The live entertainment boasts an impressive local line-up including performances by Mi Casa, Timo ODV, Rubber Duc, Charlie Finch, Apple Gule LIVE and Mojito Swing. It’s an exciting day out for the whole family!
This mop not yet for sale at Cleaning Hub.
Date: Friday, 26 October 2018 from 20:00 – 04:00
Venue: Madison Avenue, 19 Wessel Road, Rivonia, Johannesburg
Cost: Entry R50 before 22:00 | Ladies, R80 after 22:00. Gents, R100 after 22:00
For one party you don’t want to miss, welcome to Madison Avenue’s Mental Asylum! Dance the night away to epic tunes spun by the devilish DJ and don’t forget to grab yourself at Po10c slushy at just R15 between 20:00 – 22:00.
There will be loads of giveaways and prizes up for grabs, so make sure you get there looking as scary as possible in spirit of Halloween.
Date: Saturday, 27 October 2018 from 21:00
Venue: Truth Nightclub, Old Pretoria Road, Halfway House, Midrand, Johannesburg
Cost: Tickets cost R150 per person (excluding R10 per ticket service fee) and can be purchased here
How scary is it that your parents used to party here?! But seriously, it’s time to party up a storm at Truth Nightclub’s Halloween Ball 2018! This awesome cult party will open their doors to the supernatural one night only. Expect all the deranged, spooky horror and screams of Halloween and dance till you're a zombie. There is no dress code but it is Halloween after all, so make sure you dress up in your creepiest outfit. Goths: no effort required, unless you want to come as Barbie and really freak us out.
The musical lineup includes live entertainment by Dennis Cruz, Tim Green, Animal Trainer and other local heavyweights.
Date: Saturday, 27 October 2018 from 16:00 until late
Venue: Rumours Rock City, corner Weltervreden Road and Valley Lane, Randburg, Johannesburg
Cost: R100 per person pre-sale, get your tickets here. R120 per person at the door
Kick off the Halloween celebrations with some awesome local and lekker live music at Rumours Rock City in Randburg! Catch Fokofpolisiekar, LA Cobra, Red Letter Sunday, Burning Blue, Lawless Gentleman, Koedoe and many more epic acts at this spooky celebration.
Don’t forget to arrive in you best Halloween costume because the best-dressed couple will win a R1000 SA Spitbraai voucher, and the best-dressed individual will win a Fokofpolisiekar hamper valued at R1000. The first act hits the stage at 17:00.
Date: Saturday, 27 October 2018. Adults only from 20:30 – 23:00
Venue: Riversands Farm Village, Rose Road, Midrand, Johannesburg
Cost: R175 per adult pre-sale, R200 per adult full-price. Click here to get your tickets now
Now onto the grown-ups-only event, The Haunted Forest! If goblins, goons, vampires and haunted forests excite you, then don’t miss this creepy event. Enter the Haunted Forest, where shouts and screams will echo from the dark trees, sending shivers up your spine. Freaky fog, ghastly spiders and undead showgirls will welcome you into the darkness. Stop at the Saloon, walk the plank with muscled pirates, play toss-the-skull or do some trick-or-treating, and don’t miss the horror movie on the big screen at 21:00.
Date: Friday, 26 October 2018 from 18:00 – Sunday, 28 October 2018 at 02:00
Venue: Chicago’s Piano Bar, corner Beyers Naude and Duiker Street, Randpark Ridge, Randburg, Johannesburg
Cost: There will be Halloween drink specials available and a Fang-Filled Feast set menu at R175 per person, book by emailing kylieholls@gmail.com. Ticket price excludes a 10% service fee.
Chicago’s Piano Bar will once again be throwing their epic annual Halloween Weekend Costume Party for all the ghosts and ghouls out there, and they have something pretty wicked in store to send chills down your spine.
Besides the spellbinding entertainment, your ticket gets you welcome shooters on arrival. Book your tickets soon because they sell out fast each year.
Also, from 19:00 – 20:00, you and your mates can green screen yourselves into the Haunted Mansion and other scary movie sets!
Arrive dressed in your best Halloween costume and stand a chance to win a best-dressed prize.
What really scares adults.
When you're coming back from some time off and you have a shorter week to get everything done, it helps to start with some firm ideas instead of deep regrets and a hangover - so here are six things that successful people do first when they return from long weekend:
When it comes to some holidays, almost everyone has time off. So you won't be falling behind by showing up to work at your usual time, but coming in early is a good idea if you want to be as productive as possible after a holiday weekend (and if you have a boss like ours *coughcough* he'll be pleased to see you hit the ground running like Caster).
It mitigates the workload avalanche and gives you a head start without the distraction of Carol telling you how she cheated on her diet all weekend. Here's a thing Carol: your pants already told us that.
Productive people know that long, unwieldy to-do lists are essentially useless because they make you want to day drink and play Tetris. There's no better time to start cutting items from your list than the day you get back from long weekend because now that you've spent time away from your desk, you have tangible proof that those tasks you're always putting off aren't holding up your ceiling.
Don't forget to double check your schedule. Remember, you'll likely be dealing with a shortened work week. Don't try to cram too many items onto your weekly schedule, or you might wind up burning yourself out. Also, you probably forgot all the promises you made on Friday afternoon when you were trying to flee the office. Now would be a good time to reconcile those.
Even though everyone was having a good ol' Braai Day, it's still a good idea to touch base with co-workers, bosses, and clients to make sure you are on top of things.
"Taking the time to connect with one or two clients lets them know they're top of mind with you and that you're back if they need anything," says Cleaning Hub director Matthew Smith. "It's a simple touch point that makes everyone refocus and feel better."
What's more, if the long weekend ate up a Monday like this one did, schedule in some time for your team and direct reports to meet up, even if it's just for a few minutes to make sure everyone's on the same page now that you're all back in the office.
Beware of spending too much time responding to the emails you missed over the weekend. It's easy to get sucked into the vortex of responding to every email without considering whether it's the best use of your time on the first day back, especially those ones from Nigerian princes offering you a share of their fortune. But don't confuse email activity with productive work - be strategic and only respond to emails that are time sensitive.
It's important to be able to shut off your work brain over long weekends to reboot and avoid burnout, but it's equally important to snap back into productivity when you return to the office. Successful people are able to make the switch and avoid any unproductive post-long weekend FML thoughts that just send you into a downward spiral of grief. Pull your panties up. Smile. And get sh*t done.
It would be lekker to be your own boss, right? Why not consider selling products that everyone needs... click on our jobs tab and see the opportunities for distributors. Great products. Amazing prices. Easy to sell. Make moola.
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We're going to give you five simple ways to save a few hundred bucks each month, and before you know it you'll be able to book those plane tickets... and not starve.
1. Check your contracts
Those swine will never offer it, but if you phone your insurance company and threaten them lightly they'll probably give you a discount. If they don't, shop around. Just by asking my company to check my premium I shaved R200 off my insurance every month! Also check your cellphone packages and data contracts. Fibre is more and more available and works out to be much cheaper than those constant data bundles.
2. Shop around
Before spending money on more expensive items like heaters or furniture, do a simple shop around online to compare prices. Remember that online shops are often cheaper even with delivery costs, as they don't necessarily have the rental overheads of a physical store.
But also consider second-hand options on your social media groups - with people moving and up- or down-sizing they are often selling perfectly good stuff that you can pick up for a fraction of the price.
Alternatively, wait for sales.
3. Buy in bulk
No one really enters a stokvel these days, though if you actually like your neighbours or family this could be a great option. But at the very least you should consider taking advantage of bulk specials on groceries, and remember that buying a 5kg instead of a 1kg always works out cheaper because you aren't repeatedly paying for packaging!
4. Ask for a discount
Urgh, we hate this one too, until I was in a client's shop one day and someone casually asked for a discount at the till. He gave them 10% off immediately, and told me that he gives it to anyone who asks. Why don't you just drop your prices by ten percent, I asked, and he replied with a smile "Because most people don't ask for the discount."
Be that guy, especially if you are a regular customer. At the very least they'll discuss options to save you money, because everyone wants to keep clients happy and do great business.
5. Shop with us!
Cleaning supplies are an inevitability of life - you cannot avoid them. But you can save on them! With us you save money by not buying fancy packaging and fancy shop rentals, not to mention our various bulk specials. The saving on toilet paper alone instead of buying at your local grocery store works out to a saving of R83.74...
(R113.99 for 18 rolls from the local supermarket, as opposed to our R220.23 for 48 rolls)
Enough of those savings, and Bali will be closer than you imagine!
Make Elf Footprints
"After the kids are in bed on Christmas Eve, we leave a trail of elf prints from our fireplace through the living room. To make them, cut two sponges in the shape of small shoeprints, then dip them into some flour or baby powder. (Pssst: the prints should always stop at the tray of cookies and milk left out for Santa and sometimes the elves are a bit naughty and play with the presents!)
Children love to figure out exactly what path Santa’s elves took, and the grown-ups have as much fun making them!
Surprise Your Friends With Treats
Why not do 12 days of secret surprises for a neighbour, friend, or the old tannie on the corner, bringing the appropriate number of goodies — one on the first day to twelve on the twelfth day. (Pssst: our Christmas cookie recipe is the bomb!) Try keeping your identity a secret, though with small children they probably wouldn't be able to keep it a secret anyway, so give them the chance to tell them on the last day!
Start an Ornament Collection
Every Christmas buy an ornament to celebrate something that happened that year, e.g. when you get married, buy a wedding ornament. If you graduated from varsity get one with a diploma. If you start a family, they get their own one too: then you can all look forward to unwrapping the ornaments every year and remembering why you bought them.
Camp Out Under the Tree
Every Christmas spend one night sleeping on the living room floor under the lighted tree, listening to holiday music. Talk about gratitude, love, Christmas, and the previous year. The kids look forward to it, and so do adults… if you add enough eggnog.
Help the Needy
This year teach your children that there is more to life than getting a Sony PlayStation: limiting gifts to one per child and one gift to share. Then agree to donate come time to a charity or soup kitchen. It's our job to teach our kids that there are rewards beyond money or things - the greatest gift is giving.
Tell Holiday Stories
Make a ritual with the nieces and nephews about telling a story before bed on Christmas Eve, whether it be Dickens or “The Night Before Christmas.” Customise rhymes to include their names and pets if you are feeling particularly creative and want extra cool points!
Give a Christmas Eve Gift
Picture it: every Christmas Eve, when the doorbell rings, the children run to answer it. They know Santa has left them their first present. Inside a brightly coloured sack is a pair of new pajamas for everyone. This idea serves two purposes. It's easier to get the kids ready for bed because they can't wait to wear their new pajamas! And you’ll all look great in the pictures the next morning.
Spread Out Your Celebrations
Christmas is particularly difficult when stepchildren are involved. Both sides want the kids on Christmas day. Tell the children that when parents are divorced, Santa adds a night to Christmas so he can finish his route! Now they can wake up to presents at your house on the 24th and their other parent’s on the 25th. They’ll love the idea of having two Christmases and they'll learn that you can invent your own family traditions.
Put Out Snacks for Santa
The original and best! We leave out cookies and milk for Santa, and a spoonful of sugar (or carrots) for the reindeer… but maybe in hot Jozi Santa would prefer a beer?! Make a big deal about this, counting the cookies, pointing out how full the glass of milk is, etc. While the kids sleep you sip the milk and eat the cookies, leaving a few with bite marks. The next day they will be amazed by the evidence that Santa was in your house! (Pssst: chocolate-covered raisins double-up as reindeer poop.)
Relive the Year's Memories
New Year’s Eve is full of roadblocks and drunk morons. Why not get everyone together and stay home? Have a buffet of hors d'oeuvres and sparkling cider / gluhwein / champers, and make a highlights reel (social media is useful) of the funniest and best moments of the past year. Get those tummy muscles jiggling, and discuss your resolutions for the next year. It’s a great way to see out the old, and the new in!
See the Lights
Find out where the town decorations are up (Cape Town’s Adderley Street lights are famous) or where other houses have lit up. It’s a great evening drive and guaranteed to put the small kids to sleep!
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1. Schedule an hour a day for work… THAT’S IT!
It’s easy to tell you to “get off the grid,” but if you are a workaholic that is more likely to stress you out than relax you, plus it is easier to deal with a couple of mails a day than to come back to an overflowing inbox.
Be very clear with staff that you will be available in the morning for mails and calls for exactly an hour. Deal with all issues then, and have an automated inbox response or voicemail message informing clients who contact you outside of those hours that those are the only times you will be available. It is holidays for everyone, and even in the digital age people are understanding that everyone needs a break!
The rest of the time leave your phone in the bedroom, turn it off, close the laptop, and exhale.
2. Deal with deadlines before they kill you
If you know you have upcoming deadlines after the holiday, you have two options to make sure you don’t worry about them while you are relaxing: deal with them before you go on holiday, or at least do as much of the work as you can, or alternatively push the deadline out for a week or two after you return from work. There will be no relaxing if you know you have work looming over you when you get back.Whether you are leaving your business behind or your home, outsource your biggest worries to someone else. Many companies offer virtual PA services, but as an alternative why not hand over the keys to an eager-to-please young up-and-comer who wants to gain some experience and prove their worth? Use it as an opportunity to grow your staff and co-workers a little.
When it comes to leaving your home behind, there are plenty of housesitters out there who can either stay at the house to feed Fido and water the plants, or you can check the doggies into a pet hotel and just have the neighbour come check that the place hasn’t burned down every other day. Leave a comprehensive list of emergency numbers, and as a last thought, leave a clean house behind… nothing is worse than coming home to a mess!
4. Figure in a buffer day
So many people tend to return straight back to work from vacation, even after only arriving on the plane in the morning! This is not a good way to manage your stress levels and can most definitely lead to stress levels rising back up very quickly.
If you can, try and manage your holiday so that you have a day in-between getting home and going back to work. This will allow you to catch up on all your personal admin, get your washing done, get a good night’s sleep and mentally prepare yourself for work the next morning. You can even take a sneak peak at your inbox and start prioritising what needs to be done first thing when you get into work.
5. Stay active
Sport releases endorphins in our system for hours making you feel amazing. It also burns off adrenaline and cortisol. If you haven’t been active for a long time, a sports holiday can be a good time to start. We really weren’t meant to sit for 12 hours a day, so vacationers should alternate periods of “food, activity and rest” to really maximise relaxation and rejuvenation.
Studies have shown that 17 minutes of walking outdoors daily and so-called “green exercise” (physical activity in natural settings) is enough to increase feelings of calm and well-being more than exercising in a gym. When was the last time you went for a walk to enjoy the natural surroundings? Go out and focus on nature!
6. Take a siesta
Seriously - have another margherita, lie in the pool till your toes prune, get a massage, have another pastry, and then go nap. Use this time to indulge and recharge your batteries so that you can rediscover your happy place, and come back to work creatively recharged and motivated to tackle the year ahead! Just for this week, be kind to yourself, don’t worry about the calories, treat your mind and body to a pampering, and enjoy every second. It will be back to work before you know it so really make the most of savouring the experience!
Work to live, don't live to work!
Most of us go into work each day so that we can afford to live and enjoy life. You have worked hard, so you deserve your holiday time. Do not ever feel guilty about going away on holiday – you have earned your time off, so you’d better enjoy it! Relaxing properly is the only job you need to focus on now.
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1. Make a list of all the things the person is interested in.
Make this list long; spend at least two full minutes writing down as many things as you can. Now brainstorm something to go with every item on that list, small or big - bacon, astronomy, socks. Think of it all. You don’t have to give all of those gifts, but you’re going to hit on some cool ideas you wouldn’t have otherwise, and when you combine a few of them, your giftee will appreciate how personal and thoughtful you were.
2. Look to the past.
Maybe someone on your list recently graduated from college, and you could frame his diploma for display. One of our gift exchange participants received a painting of her dog that had died the year before. Let them relive their childhood. Find them that original TV game they loved when they were 12, or have a t-shirt made with a phrase you used to share.
3. Ask yourself what that person NEEDS.
I know what you’re saying: stop it. They DO need something. The key is to think broader. What does a super busy businessman need? Time, probably. There are tons of products out there to help people run their lives more efficiently, from apps to watches to books on how to run your life more efficiently. Have a brother in nursing school? Put together a student nurse survival kit! Thinking on a more general level will help you get outside your regular, narrower view of that person.
4. Get stalking.
If all else fails, spy. Many people have a wishlist on Amazon, and they’ll be pretty surprised and delighted if you somehow found just the thing they wanted without even asking, and that they may have even forgotten they wanted themselves. Look through their Facebook history for clues. If they’re on Pinterest or similar apps, you can see what types of things they’ve posted and commented on before. You’ll look like a genius.
5. Make it personal.
Something special from your hands shows the time and effort you have invested. Create a piece of art, write a song, knit a scarf… you get the idea. Combine this with one (or more) of the above suggestions for an ultra-personalised gift.
6. Make them laugh.
Don’t just give a Kindle - give your crazy liberal friend a Kindle hidden inside a copy of FW de Klerk’s autobiography. Know someone who loves potatoes? Give them a ten kilo bag of them. Comedy Central blogger Mike Pomranz participated in a gift exchanges and sent his giftee one hundred trillion dollars; and it was real, it just also happened to be in Zimbabwean dollars.
7. Literally share an experience.
She loves Les Mis but already has the book and the movie and the movie poster? Buy tickets to see the show. Go to a cabaret, zip-lining, cave exploring at Maropeng, a trip to the zoo, or a cooking class. Make memories that they will remember forever!
8. Get charitable.
Ok, so they REALLY have everything they need?! I don’t believe you, but that’s okay, because there are a lot of other people out there who don’t have everything they need. Find something they’re passionate about, and then donate to that cause. Are they a dog lover? Donate to an animal rescue. Or sponsor an animal at a zoo. Make present boxes for underprivileged kids with their name attached. There are thousands of charities helping with a cause that will be dear to their heart. Plus the karma will be excellent.
9. Make the present a gift in itself.
Get creative with the packaging! Rather than just handing them a gift in regular wrapping paper, think of the receiving experience as an event. Hide the gift and send them on a treasure hunt. Rather than just giving a gift card, hide a secret message in a Twilight book that sends them to the gift card code. Or sew the present into a giant stuffed pony so they have to do surgery on it to get it out. Never, ever, underestimate the sheer fun of unwrapping presents. And sometimes quantity means quality, like a bunch of small individually wrapped items to be savoured as they are opened.
HINT: Finding a Gift for Someone You Do Not Know Well
Create a homemade “hostess gift” - a classic hostess gift is a nice bottle of wine, but if your hosts do not drink or if you are looking for a more unique gift, you may go homemade. This could be a homemade mix of spices and seasonings in a nice jar for the host to throw on chicken or fish, or a homemade cake for dessert wrapped in wax paper, or your secret salad dressing recipe. You could also bring other homemade items like a homemade candle or homemade bath salts, but if you don’t know them well opt for edible gifts that have wide appeal. Food always wins!
Or buy a practical gift - if you are trying to find a suitable gift for an authority figure, like your teacher or your boss, you may opt for practical items. This could be a gift basket of school supplies, full of all of the teacher's essential school supplies for the next school year or a gift basket of tea and coffee, if your teacher enjoys their morning cuppa. Or, you could make them a personalised coffee sleeve for their coffee mug.
For your boss, you may want to play it safe and go for a gift that is practical but also thoughtful, especially if you want to impress them. Look for a nice succulent plant in a pot or make them a glass terrarium to brighten up the office. If your boss drinks and enjoys cocktails, give a seven piece cocktail set or a nice wine opener. If you know your boss' sense of humour, consider a funny desk calendar for the new year that they can look at every day and be reminded how awesome you are.
Happy shopping!
But never fear, Cleaning Hub is near, with our Top 12 Tips To Tantalise Tikes! We have scoured Gauteng for the best things to get their butts off the sofa, get them busy, get them happy, and (most importantly) get them tired.
]]>But never fear, Cleaning Hub is near, with our Top 12 Tips To Tantalise Tikes! We have scoured Gauteng for the best things to get their butts off the sofa, get them busy, get them happy, and (most importantly) get them tired.
We have compiled all contact details and costs involved, so all you need to do is click, drive, drop, and smile.
1. Yeesh!
Yeesh! Fun for kids is an indoor play centre and activity hub centred around a giant two-storey soft play structure which encourages active, physical play for children up to 12 years. The play centre also boasts a Paint pot craft corner where children can express themselves creatively, and a Little Bakers corner where they can ice or decorate a biscuit or cup cake.
Their coffee bar supplies freshly baked cakes, delicious coffee and a scrumptious menu for both parents and children. There are excellent supervisors, allowing you to relax while the kids challenge their bodies and burn off that extra energy; they also have a ‘drop and shop’ service.
Price
For latest prices see their full activity and price list.
Contact
Tel 0116569669, email info@yeesh.co.za, yeesh.co.za
2. Play tourist
The Red Bus City Tour is a hop-on, hop-off excursion which takes you to some of the most interesting spots in Joburg – from Gold Reef City to the James Hall Transport Museum – with a special audio commentary channel for kids. Get your kids to broaden their horizons and really travel in their own city.
Pssst… Keep your eye out for specials which often run over the school holiday period!
Price
Adults tickets cost R170, and kids (aged 5 to 17) are R90. Kids under 5 are free (online prices). These prices are for a one-day ticket; you can get a number of combos and multiple-day tickets too.
Contact
Tel 0861733287, citysightseeing.co.za
3. Get swinging
Acrobranching gives you... er, we mean the kids.... the chance to unleash your inner ape and go swinging through the treetops! The Acrobranch park in Melrose consists of four courses and is equipped with zip lines, swing bridges and Tarzan swings. The courses are family-friendly and safe for children as young as three years of age, and there’s a lot of variety: “Sprinting Cheetah” for speedsters, “Stalking Leopard” for testing balance. So grab the kids and take to the trees.
Psssst… If you are Centurion side visit The Big Red Barn’s Acrobranch.
Price
From R160 to R220 a person depending which course you’re doing.
Contact
Tel 0869990369, acrobranch.co.za
4. Get back to your roots
Take a day trip out to the Cradle of Humankind in Maropeng for a family trip that promises to be as fun as it will be educational. The Learner Centre is interactive and informative in a sneakily fun way, and will be a hit with both young and old. The main attraction, however, is the underwater boat ride that guides you through the history of earth’s creation in a visceral and awe-inspiring way. If the fossil display piques your interest, take a tour through the Sterkfontein caves – the home of the historic “Mrs Ples.”
Psssst... the caves are sometimes closed to the public – best to call them beforehand to check.
Price
Admission to the Maropeng Visitor Centre costs R65 for children (ages 4 to 14) and R120 for adults, and admission to the Sterkfontein Caves is R97 for children, R165 for adults. Combination tickets for both cost R125 for children and R190 for adults. Children under 4 free.
Contact
Tel 0145779000, email info@maropeng.co.za, maropeng.co.za
5. Visit a zootopia
Let’s raise a generation of animal-loving empathetic kids! Encourage this fascination with a visit to The Johannesburg Zoo, which has all sorts of exciting things lined up for the holidays. Not only do they have the little Honey Kids from seven to 13 years old can enjoy a Holiday Fun Day, with animal feeding, crafts and games from 12 December 2017.
Psssst… Why not recruit them in the Honey Badgers Club as a different Christmas present?
Price
Holiday Fun Day is R85 per child. Standard zoo entrance fees are R50 for kids between three and 12, and R80 for adults. Open Monday to Sunday (including public holidays) from 8:30 to 17:00.
Contact
Tel 0116462000, www.jhbzoo.org.za/kids, education@jhbzoo.org.za
6. Play mad scientists
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre’s holiday programme from 9 December 2017 - 7 January 2018 “Myth Busters” theme!
Myths and misconceptions exist within our society in general. Ever wondered whether a certain idea or story is true or not? Ever wondered whether some common perceptions are real or not? Join Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in the Myth Busters holiday programme and discover the science behind common misconceptions through fun and interactive activities ranging from workshops, shows, and floor activities.
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is open 7 days a week including public holidays except Christmas Day. Monday - Friday 9h00 – 17h00, and Saturday & Sunday 9h00 – 16h30.
Price
Adults are R48, children 3 -16 cost R32, and kids under 3 are free.
Contact
011 639 8400, info@sci-bono.co.za, http://www.sci-bono.co.za
7. Go wild
Kids driving you mad in front of the TV? Get them into the great outdoors! Friends of Kloofendal is a conservation NGO that offers guided nature tours through the Kloofendal Nature Reserve in Roodepoort. These tours give you a chance to learn about and interact with the nature reserve’s plants, animals and insects. From bird ringing to panning for gold, there’s an interesting event happening almost every weekend!
Price
Various prices depending on the activity. See their website for details.
Contact
Tel 0116742980 or 0796935608, kloofendalfriends.yolasite.com
8. Get cooking, good looking
If you and your kids are foodies, or simply want to learn more about cooking, why not sign up for a family cooking class? The Little Cooks Club has franchises throughout the city and offers morning classes for children during the school holidays (excluding public holidays). Each franchise has a different schedule, so it’s best to phone and check what’s on offer at the franchise nearest to you. It’s not only a great way for kids to learn about nutrition and the joys of cooking, but it’s a great chance for you to work together and bond.
Added bonus: your dinners at home can only benefit from the cool cooking skills you’ll acquire and the easy, yummy recipes you’ll learn at these classes. Alternatively, check out some of these great recipes – we have enough to have you cooking for days!
Price
Prices depend on the activity and age of your child.
Contact
Tel 0835563434, email headoffice@littlecooksclub.co.za, littlecooksclub.co.za
9. Hit the bullseye
Kids feeling trigger happy and threatening to kill each other? Try out the Bush Paintball Range, conveniently situated 10 minutes from Fourways. They’re open 7 days a week, and offer a number of different fun playing fields between the trees.
Psssst… Parents can relax at the Riversands Market up the road while the kids run some energy off!
Price
From R150 per person, R120 kids (for low impact balls). Prices include safety gear.
Contact
Tel 0793874217, email: bookings@woodspaintball.co.za
10. Explore the night skies
Cultivate a love for the stars, constellations and comets with a visit to the Johannesburg Planetarium. Don’t be put off by their website, which is a glorious throwback from the beginning of the internet! They have experts on site to answer any of your astronomy questions and the show is pretty spectacular for adults too.
Psssst... telescopes are also for sale at the Planetarium which means you can take star-gazing into your own hands.
Price
Adult tickets are R45 and kids tickets R30. Family tickets also available for R165 (max two adults with their dependent children – scholars or full-time students – and grandparents)
Contact
Tel 0117171390, email planet@planetarium.co.za, planetarium.co.za
11. Get potty (and painty)
Get in touch with your inner artists and stimulate those brains! The Pottery Junxion in Edenvale is a great place to get your hands dirty, your kids creative, and have something to show for it at the end of the day. Check into their studio and paint and decorate your own personalised plates, bowls or tea sets. All tools, products and ceramics are available on site. Ages seven and up can try one of their painting or mosaic workshops too.
Price
R95 for a three-hour session, excluding the product: you pay for the products and for the amount of paint you use in addition to the R20 per hour starting fee. Bookings are essential.
Contact
Tel 0114532721, email paint@potteryjunxion.co.za, potteryjunxion.co.za
12. Have an aMAIZEing time
Honeydew Mazes’ new Bee Maize Maze is now open and their 12th maize maze, designed in the shape of a honeycomb, has a whopping 3.5km of pathways and includes an eight-station general knowledge quiz which can be enjoyed by the whole family.
They’re open on weekends from 10am-5pm, no bookings required, though bookings are required for any special events such as kid’s parties.
Price
R150 an adult and R100 a child. There’s also a family ticket (two adults and two children) for R420.
Contact
Tel 0737952174, email enquiries@maizemaze.co.za, or honeydewmazes.co.za
Now we present to you:
The Busy Person’s Guide To Getting Lots Of Holiday This Christmas
If you take leave on Friday 22 December, Wednesday 27 December, Thursday 28 December as well as Friday 29 December, you only return to work on Tuesday 2 January 2018.
Get into the festive spirit early by making full use of a Christmas Monday and Boxing Day the following day, where by taking 4 days leave you get 12 consecutive days off! It’s a great public holiday cheat for those low on leave days, as well as for those who are busy - remember, the rest of the world is in snooze-mode, so you may as well take advantage of the silly season to rest up, and be ready for 2018!