Festive Season Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/festive-season/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:40:54 +0000 en-ZA hourly 1 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-gtg_favicon-32x32.png Festive Season Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/festive-season/ 32 32 Author Surprises Charity Christmas Book Drive with Boxes of Reads! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/author-surprises-charity-christmas-book-drive-with-boxes-of-reads/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/author-surprises-charity-christmas-book-drive-with-boxes-of-reads/#respond Tue, 22 Oct 2024 06:30:42 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=134459

Charity Begins With Me’s children’s Christmas book drive is off to the most cheerful start, thanks to a kind author!   Johannesburg, South Africa (22 October 2024) — Just last week,...

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Charity Begins With Me’s children’s Christmas book drive is off to the most cheerful start, thanks to a kind author!

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (22 October 2024) — Just last week, we told our readers that Charity Begins With Me was on the hunt for 1,500 books as part of its children’s Christmas Book Drive. Today, we’re happy to report that support has already come their way jingling, largely thanks to the kindness of an author!

Stephan Ferreira shared the good news that shortly after posting about the book collection, he received a message from Reinette Lombard; an author of the Tippie Books!

Tippie is a character, elephant, and educator who helps children learn to read, supported by visual aids (cute illustrations) loved by teachers and students alike. For Charity Begins With Me, receiving boxes of Tippie books was not only perfect for one mission (making sure children in underprivileged communities have gifts to open) but also for helping their literacy journeys.

Considerately, the donated books are in the children’s home language.

The gesture facilitated by Reinette has certainly made this Christmas one for Charity Begins With Me to look forward to. But the call for more book donations is still loud!

Books will be collected until 30 November. Drop-offs can be made at Fairlands in Johannesburg, or books can be couriered via PostNet.

Everyone looking to gift a book for Christmas can contact Stephan here!


Sources: Charity Begins With Me
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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Santa Shoebox Helpers Welcomes Over 10,000 Team Pledges!  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/santa-shoebox-helpers-welcomes-over-10000-team-pledges/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/santa-shoebox-helpers-welcomes-over-10000-team-pledges/#respond Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:00:55 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=129632

The Santa Shoebox Project’s team of helpers are elated to share the news that they have already welcomed over 10,000 team pledges, meaning thousands upon thousands of essential gifts will...

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The Santa Shoebox Project’s team of helpers are elated to share the news that they have already welcomed over 10,000 team pledges, meaning thousands upon thousands of essential gifts will go to children who most need them!

 

South Africa (28 August 2024) — In very happy news for the Santa Shoebox Project’s helpers and heroes (and most importantly, scores of underprivileged children across South Africa), over 10,000 pledges have come in for Santa Shoeboxes already!

Considering that Team Pledges only officially opened at the beginning of this month, the rush of support that’s flooded in has positioned the 2024 festive season to be an absolutely spectacular one.

What Are Santa Shoebox Team Pledges?

The Santa Shoebox Project is one of South Africa’s most impactful ‘gift initiatives’. Every year, people are invited to gift a box of goodies (including essentials like toothbrushes and soap as well as treats like toys and sweets) to a child in need. This happens so that children who generally wouldn’t receive anything during the festive season can also know the joy of receiving a gift. The shoeboxes are personalised, dependent on the child’s age and gender, and anyone can sponsor a shoebox or pack one.

Team Pledges amp up the giving spirit by encouraging teams to organise 20 or more shoebox pledges at a time. For groups of friends, businesses or schools who want to bond over something that can warm even the greenest Grinch’s heart, this pledging option offers a fabulous means to do good.

With over 10,000 pledges to boast, a quick maths moment reveals that this indicates many thousands of shoeboxes could be on the cards this festive season!

However, if you can only sponsor one Santa Shoebox as an individual, that option exists too. Individual Pledges are opening on 1 September, and you can find out all you need to know here.


Sources: Santa Shoebox Project; GTG 
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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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#DriveHope: Christmas Meal Wish Worth Many Memories Comes True for ‘Mrs M’ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/drivehope-christmas-meal-wish-worth-many-memories-comes-true-for-mrs-m/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/drivehope-christmas-meal-wish-worth-many-memories-comes-true-for-mrs-m/#respond Mon, 25 Dec 2023 05:00:56 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=115712

Pauline had a simple wish for Christmas: to make her mom, who can no longer cook and lives with Alzheimer’s, a very special meal. Her wish was heard by Liberty’s...

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Pauline had a simple wish for Christmas: to make her mom, who can no longer cook and lives with Alzheimer’s, a very special meal. Her wish was heard by Liberty’s #DriveHope campaign and soon, all the groceries (and more surprises) were on their sleigh, ready to make a difference!

 

Atlantis, South Africa (25 December 2023) — For Pauline Steenkamp, making her mother’s Christmas special by cooking up a small feast for her topped any wish list. However, this wasn’t just about the chance to enjoy a delicious Christmas meal together. It was about love in the face of adversity, and the knowing that sometimes, a moment of joy is all we need to push on—even if only Pauline would remember it.

Pauline’s mom, Margaret Williams (affectionately known as Mrs M from her teaching days) has Alzheimer’s. The beloved teacher dedicated 40 years of her life to giving others the gift of education and is still remembered fondly by generations of students from Kerrira Primary School.

Seeing the force of knowledge, that she was struggling so much with the disease of memory, was just one of the reasons Pauline wanted to give her a Christmas her heart would remember. The other reasons were tied to feelings many of us can relate to when it comes to wanting to give our all for those who raised us.

Hoping to get her wish off Santa’s list and into reality, Pauline nominated her mom for Liberty’s #DriveHope campaign in a bid to make the magic happen. Given all the thousands of loved ones whose lives the #DriveHope campaign has brought light to, her wish couldn’t have made its way to better helping hands.

Beyond a most-special meal, Pauline’s nomination was also a chance to give her mom the appreciation she did not always receive in her life.

“The reason why I nominate my mom is simple. She was married to a man who drank every weekend, every holiday, most of the time. She then decided she will not cook a Christmas meal, ever, because there was no one who would appreciate it. When I married and had children, I brought the tradition back to having a family Christmas meal. I always invite mom,” Pauline shared.

After moving back to Cape Town, Pauline was disheartened upon realising that her mom’s Alzheimer’s had gone from “better to worse”; to the point where Margaret can now no longer cook for herself.

“A little Christmas meal would just mean the world to her,” added her daughter in her nomination motivation.

But, the nomination also meant a lot to Pauline and the great respect and love she has for her mom.

“It’s recognition to a retired educator and mother, who does not always remember which day it is today or your name, but is still an educator (to her grandchildren) and a mother (to her children). I hope to give my mother a Christmas that she can remember, even though I will have to remind her, and she will forget, at least I will remember.”

Trade any tears welling up in your eyes for happy ones, because Pauline’s nomination has been selected by Liberty! This is both for the incredibly heartwarming place the simple wish comes from and because what is Christmas if not a time for little miracles?

Pauline received an R5000 Checkers digital voucher so she could make a full and delicious feast for Christmas Day, as well as an R2000 clothing voucher so her mom could buy new outfits!

With hope on the table and in their family’s hearts, the #DriveHope Campaign once again reminds us that sometimes, life’s small boosts can take us the farthest.

About the #DriveHope Campaign

Initially, a platform where Liberty employees could nominate their colleagues and communities experiencing tough times, the campaign became a loud reminder that small boosts matter. Whether it was a small care package for someone struggling to make ends meet or a drive for essential goods in a community that really needed it, #DriveHope has only gotten bigger and more helpful throughout the years. Now, the campaign reaches so many people beyond the company, and the next story of hope might just be yours if you make a nomination!


Sources: Liberty #DriveHope
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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Five Sustainable Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Festive Season https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/five-sustainable-ideas-for-an-eco-friendly-festive-season/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/five-sustainable-ideas-for-an-eco-friendly-festive-season/#respond Thu, 14 Dec 2023 16:00:37 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=115867

From ‘going Grinch’ to rewrapping your mind around wrapping paper, here are five sustainable ideas for an eco-friendly festive season!   Global (14 December 2023) — The festive season can...

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From ‘going Grinch’ to rewrapping your mind around wrapping paper, here are five sustainable ideas for an eco-friendly festive season!

 

Global (14 December 2023) — The festive season can be a deeply confusing time for the eco-conscious gift giver. Yes, we want to give our loved ones gifts that make them feel as special as humanly possible. No, we don’t want the planet to pay the price. Nor do we want to outdo our budgets by seeking sustainable ideas.

It’s a doozy that can make you feel more stuck than traffic in Cape Town during the peak of Dezemba.

Fear not, festive friend. There are many simple (and cost-effective) ways to still give the gift of consideration to the planet. Bonus: when you gift sustainably, you’re also giving those on the receiving end something positively impactful to think about too!

Five Sustainable Ideas for the Festive Season

1. Rest and Reduce

Reducing how much you buy is one very easy way to not be problematic this festive season. Especially if you know it won’t be affordable to make every gift one that’s eco-friendly approved. As many of us know, sustainable goods can cost more (that’s why they last!). But, by reducing how much goes into your shopping cart, you’re also allocating space to shop with intention.

The key thing here is to make gifting less fun, and that’s where games like the White Elephant Christmas Gift Game come into play at the perfect time.

2. Relish in Reusing

Reusing things to make other, often cooler things, is an epic way to not only say ‘hey, I made this for you because I care a lot!’. It’s also the best excuse to get your creative juices flowing with a little upcycling.

If you know your way around a sewing machine, try making something new out of clothes you no longer wear. Fabric scraps make for great bookmarks. Or, maybe you have a bunch of glass jars you’ve been meaning to recycle. Say hello to a new mini terrarium.

How you turn waste into wonders is up to you. But, you can find a bunch of ideas on groups like The Up-Cycled Cloth Collective.

3. Rewrap Your Mind Around Wrapping Paper

If you don’t cautiously save wrapping paper like that one friend who takes several years to open gifts (commendably), the simplest sustainable route is to opt for a fabric that can be used later. This is the Japanese method called furoshiki, which also doubles as another gift. The fabric wrap can make for a great hair accessory, kitchen accent, or even just something the receiver can use for their own future gift-giving.

4. Go Grinch

No, you don’t need to steal Christmas. But, you are going to take people’s things.

Before the days of any big events you host, ask those attending to bring items that can be recycled or upcycled. In turn, you can drop them off with people who can do a lot of good with a little waste, like:

5. Encourage Gifts That Will Never Turn to Waste

Take waste out of the conversation completely, and opt to give a gift that begets giving. What could be more sustainable than that? Virtually adopt an elephant, turtle or penguin for someone who loves animals, gift a tree in a friend’s honour or pay forward a child’s future—a gift to our country.


Sources: GTG 
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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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How to Cope with the Festive Season’s Pressure Express https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/how-to-cope-with-the-festive-seasons-pressure-express/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/how-to-cope-with-the-festive-seasons-pressure-express/#respond Sun, 10 Dec 2023 14:00:58 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=115473

As we go deeper into Dezemba, it’s easy to feel the pressure of the season build-up! Navigating the pressure express might just be the best gift you give yourself, or...

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As we go deeper into Dezemba, it’s easy to feel the pressure of the season build-up! Navigating the pressure express might just be the best gift you give yourself, or someone you care about this year:

 

Global (10 December 2023) — Merry, bright and filled with delight. That’s what the festive season should be about (at least, according to Hallmark movies and our friends so jovial they wear Christmas jerseys despite the heat of South Africa’s summer). But, for many, as we go deeper into Dezemba, the ‘pressure express’ screeches only louder and louder.

Gifts when groceries alone seem to cost a house downpayment. Commitments to events we don’t have time for as year-end pressure at work accumulates. Family politics. Realisations of loneliness or loss. And of course, the big feelings that come with end-of-year reflections as the ghosts of resolutions past come back to haunt us.

These are just a few of the platter of worries many of us experience when the festive season rolls around. Here’s the good news: you’re actually not alone, and you don’t suck because pressure is raining on your parade. Here’s the better news: the best gift you’ll give to yourself is learning how to navigate it all.

Coping with the Pressure Express

While the above are just general examples and everyone has their own brand of pressure, there are broad coping techniques that’ll make routing the pressure express a helluva lot smoother.

You won’t feel like a Grinch, and you might just be able to take these tiny gifts of action with you into any situation where the pressure is boiling!

1. Tis the Season to Communicate Well

Communication is something we do all the time. But, that doesn’t mean we do it well.

Voicing circumstances needs to be done in a way that provides clarity for the other person. This means not assuming someone else can read between the lines, avoiding dropping hints, and most importantly, saying how you feel instead of expecting someone else to simply know.

Everyone is the main character in their own world, and so, sees it through their own frame of reference. They might not remember that the festive season is a triggering time for you. They might also put you in their shoes and imagine what they would do if they were you.

Your only job when communicating something that isn’t easy (for example, if money has been tight this year and gift-giving isn’t an option), is to get your point across with comprehension in mind. Ie: In a way they will understand, not how you would understand it. Psychology hack: tackle the issue and not the person!

Mention the circumstances in enough detail and convey how it makes you feel. Don’t delay or procrastinate the tough conversations, because this leads to more anxiety!

2. Boundaries are Best Served Early

Like a good ham fresh out of the oven, boundaries are best served early. This means, that as soon as you realise you need to set them, you need to actually set them.

This applies to identifying what is in your capacity (your boundary) and what isn’t.

The purpose of setting boundaries applies far beyond the festive season and matters because it helps you stand up for yourself without being susceptible to being manipulated. It also helps you be assertive without being aggressive.

When you set a boundary and someone crosses it, you have already made clear that you were not okay with something before the fact, not after.

Maybe you need to tell your boss that you can’t be on call whilst on leave. Maybe you need your partner to come to the party a little more. Set the boundaries of what is in your capacity, make clear what is outside of it, and watch as you free yourself from the additional pressure that comes with being on call for everyone.

3. Make a Wish List for Your Needs

If it’s been a heck of a year and you’re more burnt out than your aunt’s roast, it’s time to let yourself know what you need. Make a list of obligations and needs and allocate them according to priority.

This will help you figure out what you have room for versus what you don’t, whilst getting in the much-needed rest to fuel you for the year to come.

4. Be Prepared for Any Triggers Disguised as Tinsel

Not everyone has a nuclear family who sits around the braai in festive spirits. For many, it’s a time of complicated dynamics or notes of loss and loneliness. If you know there are triggering occasions, prepare yourself by being your own Santa.

This could mean planning a quiet moment to feel the loss of someone you loved. Allowing that to be present, and then comforting yourself with anything wholesome that you know can pick you up. Prepare a care package for yourself. Allow the feelings to be felt, unashamedly and without interruption.

Or, it could mean making a backup plan if you choose to fulfil an obligation that you know won’t be easy. Being prepared affords your mind solutions to the ‘What ifs’ and ‘most likelys’ that can plague your festive experience.

And no, you’re not a pessimist for making these kinds of plans. If anything, you’re optimistic that you can still turn any messy feelings or circumstances into better moments.

5. Make a Gratitude Advent Calendar

For every day of the season, try to write down something you were grateful for. This is like a little surprise from life reminding you that no matter what’s going on around you, there are still small treasures worth noting.

Gratitude as a consistent practice has been dubbed a mental health game-changer for the big reason that it helps your brain’s reticular activating system (RAS) actively seek information of the like. Ie: The more you actively find gratitude, the more your mind will actively seek out things to be grateful for!


Sources: GTG
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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5 Reasons to Keep Your Gifts Local This Festive Season https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/5-reasons-to-keep-your-gifts-local-this-festive-season/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/5-reasons-to-keep-your-gifts-local-this-festive-season/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:33:33 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=115467

Keeping it local this festive season for gift givers is one way to give back to the country’s economy, dreamers and doers. But, there are many other reasons to make...

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Keeping it local this festive season for gift givers is one way to give back to the country’s economy, dreamers and doers. But, there are many other reasons to make your shopping cart special, South African style:

 

South Africa (06 December 2023)  — It’s interesting to think that when we’re shopping for gifts and surprises for our loved ones over the festive season, we’re also setting up to give in other ways—time, energy and support.

The businesses we support benefit greatly from the giving season. For many small, local businesses, it’s a highlight on the calendar for greater opportunity. For others, it’s a sure lifeline.

“Every rand we spend has enormous impact when it goes to a local small business; we have seen this time and time again in our work that locals supporting local creatives keeps the creative economy moving,” says Craft + Design Institute’s (CDI) CEO, Erica Elk. 

“Every consumer can make a difference; all through meaningful choices that benefit the local environment and local communities,” Erica adds.

For the CDI, a non-profit development agency that, for 22 years has committed to helping local creatives flourish and supports over 6800 businesses and artisans to boost the nation’s craft and design sector from the ground up.

They have shared their top five reasons to keep our gifts local this festive season; a list that everyone who wants to see South Africa win should keep in their back pocket!

5 Reasons to Keep it Local this Festive Season

1. Heritage Preservation

Creative products made in South Africa not only make gifts that can’t be found anywhere else, but also help share our heritage with each other.

2. Economic Impact

An obvious, but important point. By choosing to buy locally, consumers are able to support each other’s dreams and make room for more economic growth and opportunity stemming from small dreams. This, in turn, creates more jobs and inspires others to act on their dreams!

3. Personalised Power

A really awesome thing about shopping local, is that there are often personalised notes to the product that make it even more relatable. This could mean something handmade or customised, or a product that echoes the spirit of a certain area and community.

4. Sustainable Surprises

Smaller businesses often have more ethical and sustainable practices entrenched in their ethos. If you are looking to be a sustainability-conscious gift giver this year, start small and local! Whether it is slow-made practices or upcycled creations, many small South African businesses understand the assignment.

5. Conscious Consumerism Education

When we shop small and local, we’re also gifting someone else the chance to jump on the conscious bandwagon. More thought tends to go into purchasing handmade, personalised pieces from clothing to decor. As such, more thought goes into receiving this kind of gift when you’re armed with the knowledge of where and who it came from. Conscious consumerism matters because it reduces how much we buy and puts more thought into where we spend our money, which is very important for both spending habits and the kinds of businesses we support.

So, keep an eye out for your next local market (in person or online), give the sustainable small shop a second thought, and always look out for social enterprises that make and sell goods to benefit those who most need it.


Sources: Craft + Design Institute 
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Christmas Tree and Community Spirit Light Up in Riebeek-Kasteel  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/christmas-tree-and-community-spirit-light-up-in-riebeek-kasteel/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/christmas-tree-and-community-spirit-light-up-in-riebeek-kasteel/#respond Tue, 05 Dec 2023 11:00:27 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=115383

A big Christmas tree lighting ceremony brought light and laughter to the Riebeek-Kasteel community, where children, regardless of their backgrounds all got special treats:   Riebeek-Kasteel, South Africa (05 December...

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A big Christmas tree lighting ceremony brought light and laughter to the Riebeek-Kasteel community, where children, regardless of their backgrounds all got special treats:

 

Riebeek-Kasteel, South Africa (05 December 2023) — Saturday brought light and laughter to the Riebeek Valley community in Riebeek-Kasteel as the Christmas tree twinkles in the small town were officially turned on.

But, this occasion was nothing if not a celebration of togetherness, where children from poor communities and privileged communities gathered and were afforded the same treats at the specially curated ‘Santa Village. It was also said to be one of the rare events in the town where everyone, no matter their background, comes together.

Roughly 450 children were gifted with sandwiches, crisps, ice lollies and after the Christmas tree lights were officially twinkling, Santa gifted them all stockings filled with more treats—fruit, sweeties, and candy canes as well as a small unisex gift.

“The expressions on the faces was so wonderfully moving,” shared Helen Weber who filled Good Things Guy in on the event.

Organised by couple Sean Cleary and Kobie le Grange with help from the Riebeek Valley Community Projects, this was the third year that the Lighting Ceremony has brought joy to Riebeek-Kasteel and those from neighbouring communities. Businesses and individuals all came together to make the night of magic possible.

“There are alway the ‘unsung heroes’, wherever you go in life. People who quietly get on with in, for no reward or fame. For four whole days Kobie le Grange has been working tirelessly in the blazing sun, stuck on a flimsy structure, putting Christmas lights in place for the ceremony next weekend,” shared Riebeek Valley’s community Facebook group of the big efforts.

Meanwhile, in other festive feel-good news, Craighall Park has its very own Secret Santas who not only deck out their home to the nines in lights but also have a Santa Letter Box initiative where letters submitted get a response—bringing delight to hundreds of children who pop by.


Sources: Website Submission
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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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‘Character Vouchers’: The Uplifting Gift of the Season for Young Boys Without Father Figures https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/character-vouchers-the-uplifting-gift-of-the-season-for-young-boys-without-father-figures/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/character-vouchers-the-uplifting-gift-of-the-season-for-young-boys-without-father-figures/#respond Thu, 30 Nov 2023 13:00:27 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=115128

A non-profit that connects boys without father figures to MENtors is inspiring big changes in our country. This festive season, their ‘Character Vouchers’ offer the chance to donate a gift...

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A non-profit that connects boys without father figures to MENtors is inspiring big changes in our country. This festive season, their ‘Character Vouchers’ offer the chance to donate a gift that can’t be held, but felt:

South Africa (30 November 2023) — As the holiday season approaches and many of us ready our sleighs for the traditional end-of-year and festive gift-giving, the opportunity to give a gift that can’t be held, but felt, shines hopefully for young boys in South Africa through special ‘Character Vouchers’.

Non-profit organisation The Character Company has created this gift giving initiative; encouraging anyone the opportunity to be part of raising the next generation of men in our country under a simple premise. Instead of goods, these gifts encompass something that lasts a lot longer—character, and the opportunity for boys without father figures in their lives to experience the influence positive male role models.

With an estimated 70% of South African children growing up in single-parent homes and 4 out of 5 boys lacking a consistent, positive male role model, the need for positive change is urgent.  Broken masculinity is associated with the country’s high rates of gender-based violence, crime, gangsterism, substance abuse and other mental disorders.  Too often, the life of a fatherless boy is marked by school absenteeism, poor educational outcomes and lack of opportunities to excel in other areas such as sports, arts and social interactions.

TCC runs a countrywide MENtorship programme connecting fatherless boys with volunteer male mentors who help to instil in them values such as kindness, honesty, respect, courage and self-discipline over a long-term relationship. The program includes boys frequently meeting up with their mentor and participating in healthy, outdoors-based events and activities such as weekend camps and adventure trips.

The Character Vouchers

There are six Character Vouchers, each representing a core value based on the TCC mentorship program.

The Kindness Voucher represents developing empathy, compassion, and generosity, and provides mentorship for one boy for a month. Emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and integrity, the Honesty Voucher enables a boy to attend an Awesome Weekend Camp.

With a focus on long-term impact, the Respect Voucher reflects developing self-worth and treating others with tolerance and understanding and supports three months of mentorship. The Courage Voucher allows a boy to join the yearly Once-in-a-lifetime Adventure trip to build resilience and confidence. Highlighting the importance of nurturing a sense of responsibility and control, the Self-Discipline Voucherprovides six months of mentorship.

The most comprehensive option, the  Five Values Voucher sets a boy on a life-affirming journey in 2024 and makes possible a year of mentorship, attendance at three Awesome Weekend camps, and participation in the Once-in-a-lifetime Adventure trip.

Founder and CEO of TCC, Jaco van Schalkwyk says, “Our goal is to turn the tide against the culture of violence in South Africa by helping to raise boys to be good men. The scale of the problem of boys growing up in tough economic conditions and without positive father figures is shocking, and we have so many single mothers desperate for the chance for their boys to take part.  Through ‘Gifts with Character’ we’re inviting South Africans to make a difference to our country during the holiday season by enabling the enrollment of more boys in 2024.”

The team are encouraging individuals and corporates to consider the one-of-a-kind gift. However, for those who cannot purchase a voucher, the opportunity to sign up as a MENtor is another top-tier option.


Sources: The Character Company
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Santa Shoebox Joy Goes Viral with Over 5 Million Views  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/santa-shoebox-joy-goes-viral-with-over-5-million-views/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/santa-shoebox-joy-goes-viral-with-over-5-million-views/#respond Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:00:37 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=114231

In what might be our favourite viral video of the year, a little boy’s happiness has brought the world to tears of joy. And, the Santa Shoebox joy video has...

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In what might be our favourite viral video of the year, a little boy’s happiness has brought the world to tears of joy. And, the Santa Shoebox joy video has garnered millions of views, which means more people now know about the Project!

 

South Africa (21 November 2023) — In what might be our favourite viral videos of the year, a little boy’s happiness erupts after he receives a most special gift whilst at school in the Western Cape. The Santa Shoebox joy was so infectious, the video garnered over 5 million views!

In a world where so much of what goes viral is without substance, the video is as refreshing as it is moving. It’s also perspective shifting in a way that doesn’t simply showcase what the magic of giving looks like, but what it feels like from the eyes of those who might never have enjoyed a gift of any kind before.

For those who don’t know, the Santa Shoebox Project is one very close to Good Things Guy’s heart. Round-the-clock, Santa’s volunteers at the Project rally as many people as possible to pledge shoeboxes filled with essentials and surprises so underprivileged children, like the star of the video, get to know what receiving a special gift feels like.

Watch: Santa Shoebox Joy Goes Viral

@santa.shoebox Western Cape celebrations 🎁✨🎁✨ #SantaShoebox #Celebration #WesternCape #makingadifference #boy ♬ original sound – Santa Shoebox Projects

Even more wonderful than the raw joy evident in the video are the comments of people from every corner of the world asking how to be part of the Project.

Thanks to its viral acclaim, more people know about the Santa Shoebox movement and more can spread the word. And if you want to be part of spreading the shoebox joy from wherever you are, here’s how to do it:

The Virtual Santa Shoeboxes

Thanks to the Virtual Santa Shoeboxes initiative, more underprivileged children in hard-to-reach regions can enjoy the most festive shoebox around.

The shoebox receiver will enjoy:

  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Soap & facecloth
  • School supplies
  • A toy
  • Sweets
  • A PEP voucher or an outfit of clothing

You can contribute to one or more by either making a donation to the Virtual Shoebox campaign or purchasing one. The volunteers will then pack your goods and before you know it, you’ll be the reason behind a huge smile.


Sources: Santa Shoebox – TikTok
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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It’s Festive Concert Season and Time to Shine, Thrive and Be Kind  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/its-festive-concert-season-and-time-to-shine-thrive-and-be-kind/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/its-festive-concert-season-and-time-to-shine-thrive-and-be-kind/#respond Thu, 16 Nov 2023 13:00:54 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=113963

A wardrobe malfunction turns into a triumph of kindness in this Christmas advert, and it’s a cracker of a reminder that we can all do our part to help others...

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A wardrobe malfunction turns into a triumph of kindness in this Christmas advert, and it’s a cracker of a reminder that we can all do our part to help others shine whether we’re helping out with an upcoming festive concert, or simply seeing the opportunity to lend a hand to someone who needs it:

 

South Africa (16 November 2023) — The Good Things Guy team are loving this year’s Christmas advert roll-out, and we’re shamelessly slipping more and more into festive mode with each passing day. While a recent ad might have made some feel peckish, it reminded us that festive concert season is also upon us, standing sweetly as one of the most special parts of the festive run.

Woolworths UK’s Christmas advert tells the creative story of little ones adorning a feast of costumes as they gear up for their festive concert.

That is, all except one unfortunate apple, who en route to the show, leaves her costume behind at the bus stop.

As anyone who has ever been a part of a school concert of any kind knows, losing a costume or actually breaking a leg is the stuff of stressful, sleepless nights (mostly for parents and teachers).

However, Little Apple’s friends soon come to the rescue and create a new costume for her, helping her transform into the most exciting star of the show—the Christmas cracker!

The message left behind is a cracker of a reminder to be kind, lend a hand and do your part in helping others shine this festive season in the concert that is our own lives.

We also have no doubt that there are going to be tons of wonderful performances from the little South Africans across the country as they wrap up the school year, and we want to cheer for as many of them as possible.

So, if your little ones have an upcoming end-of-year concert, we’d love to feel part of the audience and invite you to tag Good Things Guy in those festive concert videos to put the cheer in festive cheer.


Sources: YouTube; GTG 
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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