As South Africans, we generally associate Christmas with summer holidays, the beach
or pool parties, braais in sizzling heat and afternoon thunderstorms. But how many of us
wouldn’t love to experience a classic Northern Hemisphere Christmas? You know, like
the ones you see in the movies – grey skies and snowflakes, freshly cut Christmas
trees, log fires, glühwein, a traditional lunch with all the trimmings, woolly scarves and
warm sweaters.
Enter Christmas in July! Forget sweltering Decembers and soggy pavlova – July is the
perfect time to reimagine Christmas, believes ekko Director Samantha Pillay. With frost,
mist, log fires and the very real possibility of snow in South Africa’s colder regions, it’s
the ideal setting for a true winter Yuletide. “Who says we can’t recapture the holiday
spirit in true Northern climes style in July? It offers a whole lot of fun minus the
pressure,” she says.
So, if you’re dreaming of a white-ish Christmas, South Africa does have a few frosty
tricks up its sleeve. Pillay shares some favourite chilly escapes for celebrating, including
the majestic Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the rugged Cederberg in the
Western Cape, Eastern Cape’s Hogsback and the highlands of Mpumalanga. So, gather
up your family and friends for a Christmas in July getaway that trades flip-flops for fuzzy
socks and ice cream for hot chocolate.
How do you capture that authentic winter Christmas magic? Pillay has some ideas:
Pick your favourite wintry escape and, if you're an ekko member, use your shares
to secure luxury self-catering accommodation with cosy fireplaces (because
there’s nothing quite like toasted marshmallows, particularly sandwiched
between Marie biscuits, shared around a roaring fire).
Decide on your own Christmas date – 25 th July perhaps? Pack some tinsel,
festive serviettes and decorative candles from home – any no-fuss items that
travel well – and turn decoration-making into a holiday activity with the kids
creating paper snowflakes, pine cone snow trees or twig and branch wreaths.
Make gift-giving part of the fun with a one-gift-per-person rule. Set a spending
limit and pick a theme like something silly, useful, or homemade to share the
Christmas spirit without the shopping stress.
And Christmas lunch? Use your self-catering facilities for traditional but simple
festive fare. Slow-cooked roast meats with roasted vegetables and gravy, or for a
more South African flavour – a hearty potjiekos with Christmas spices. They all
taste even better in cold weather, and don’t forget to finish with a hot pudding
(buy ahead or make and freeze).
For some ‘night before Christmas’ fun: hold an ‘ugly jersey’ contest. Everyone
has to wear their boldest, funniest or most over-the-top jerseys. It doesn’t have to
be a Christmas design; anything goes for a laugh.
Try Glühwein South African style: simmer spiced wine over the coals while
grilling boerewors and chops, blending German tradition with an unmistakably
local twist.
Make the most of your festive winter break with activities like scenic hikes. The
crisp air and clear views are perfect for walking trails, and many ekko
destinations offer beautiful routes ideal for viewing wintry landscapes.
Enjoy dining and coffee experiences. Winter means more time indoors exploring
quaint coffee shops and treating yourself to dinner. Ekko members can take
advantage of dining and coffee deals to make meals out even more affordable.
It’s an easy way to try local favourites without breaking the budget.
Many destinations offer discounted access to local attractions, helping keep the
kids entertained while you enjoy the slower, cosier pace of a true winter break.
“We see a number of ekko shareholders using this time to take advantage of off-peak
rates and discounts that make these experiences more accessible,” adds Pillay. “Ekko’s
approach to travel and lifestyle is about making it easier for South Africans to
experience quality getaways, dining, and activities, even on a budget. This means you
can enjoy all the festive magic of Christmas in July without the December madness – or
the December prices," she concludes.
For more information on how to become an ekko shareholder, please visit
www.ekko.co.za.
ENDS
WORD COUNT: 676
On Behalf of:
Samantha Pillay
Director: ekko
