South African Mom Blogs

For Moms, Bloggers and Content Creators

Sign up to my newsletter and get your blogging basics here! 

  • X
  • FB
  • Pinterest
  • IG
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Purposefully Influencing Awards 2025
    • Vote for Your Favourite Influencer 2025
  • SA Parenting Blog Awards 2023
    • Judges
    • Winners of the 2019 #SAPBAwards
    • SA Parenting Blog Award Winners 2020
    • Winners of the SA Parenting Blog Awards 2021
    • Winners 2022
    • Winners 2023
  • Brands Connect With Moms
  • List Your Blog
  • Resources and Tools
  • Categories
    • blogging
    • social media
    • parenting
    • Product Review
    • Meet SA Mom Bloggers
    • momentrepreneur
    • shopping
    • health
    • home
  • Shop
  • Start Your Own WordPress Blog from Scratch!
    • Seven Simple Steps to Build a Blog
  • AI Tools

Gift Guide 2021

December 4, 2021 by Heather Step Leave a Comment

It’s officially December now and it’s time to start thinking about a gift guide for the Christmas season. Over the last while I’ve received some emails in my inbox about gifts and I thought I’d make a post putting them all together.

Christmas gift guide

Gift Guide for Children

This year’s trends include toy unboxing, outdoor play and creative building, with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills toys, sensory play and educational toys that support remote learning dominating the shelves.

Hasbro has a rather nifty quiz which lets you figure out your child’s personality and gives some advice on what kind of toy would be suitable for them.

If your child is “The Energiser” then maybe you need some sporting equipment or the furReal Glamalots Interactive Pet Toy.

If they are “The Imagineer” they will probably go for something crafty and a lot of the Play Doh activities are suited to this.

PNA also has a lot of crafty gifts this season. Here’s a Melissa & Doug Decoupage Made Easy Craft Set.

Barbie also has some new looks this season and she’s always a winner to play with. There’s the Extra Doll and Vanity Playset with Exclusive Doll, Pet Puppy, Vanity and 45 Pieces and also the Colour Reveal Foam Doll, Scent Surprise, 25 Surprises , Assortment.

“The Discoverer” who likes to explore and is curious about how things work will go for science kits and futuristic toys like Transformers – Cyberverse Adventures Roll’n’Change Bumble Bee/Optimus Prime 

This is also cool – Transforming Radio Control Truck:

If your kid likes experiments he or she might go for these colour change Hot Wheels Cars. We’ve bought some of these and they are a lot of fun – you dip them in hot and cold water and watch them change colour.

Dinosaurs continue to be popular and this one is really cool and the top toy at ToysRUs – Jurassic World Stomp and Escape T Rex:

If they’re really into dinosaurs, I highly recommend Orboot which we reviewed. This interactive globe and app educates your child about dinosaurs and it’s a lot of fun too.

If your child is a tween and keen on recording all the discoveries, you might also consider this Instax Mini 11 Camera & Film Bundle Assorted:

instax mini 11 camera gift guide

Does your kid like to play pranks? “The Jokester” will go for Nerf guns and Monopoly Crooked Cash.

If your child loves stories and fantasy, “The Enchanter” will go for some books and audio books (the Yoto player would be a good idea) but they’d probably also enjoy magical toys like My Little Pony Sing ‘N Skate Sunny or Baby Alive Grows Up Happy.

yoto player gift guide

Also, how cute is this winged baby from ToysRUs? (Baby Giggle and Crawl Baby Butterfly Doll (30cm), 20 Sounds and Fluttering Wings). Also check out the Rainbocorns Jelly Shake Surprise.

Competitive types fall into “The Champion” category. If your child loves winning games then they would probably like Jenga or the new Monopoly Builder.

If your child is “The Leader” then they could take charge with this Power Rangers Dino Fury Morpher.

If they really are passionate about thrill seeking they are “The Enthusiast” and Nerf guns are also an option for them.

Some daredevil toys also on offer at ToysRUs are the Nexx Stunt Radio Control Superbike and the Batmobile Ride On 12V.

As far as stockists are concerned, all these gifts are available either from the Hasbro site (which links to others like Takealot, ToysRUs or Toy Kingdom) as well as ToyrsRUs (look at their brochure online here). One of the items is from PNA.

For Her

If you’re looking for a gift for yourself or a female family member, there’s always the air fryer. I ordered one online a while ago but it has yet to arrive. I think I could have been scammed. (Tidee) If it does come I will do a review!

Xiaomi’s new Air Fryer, the Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L, is now available in South Africa and will initially be sold exclusively on Mobile in Africa’s ecommerce store. The smart product connects over Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi and is supported by the Mi Home App. It also works with Google Assistant and Alexa. The multi-functional Mi Smart Air Fryercooking product includes eight pre-set modes, including one for baking cakes. And the 360-degree hot air circulation allows cooking food with less oil and lower fat. The Mi Smart Air Fryer performs as a food dehydrator, a microwave oven, a food defroster, and a yoghurt maker. More than 100 easy-to-cook recipes can be accessed through the Mi Home App.  

air fryer gift guide

And while we are talking about appliances, let’s think big. I really like this Defy fridge that runs on a good portion of solar power.

The new solar hybrid range connects directly to solar panels and the electrical grid and works off solar during daytime and prioritizes solar energy and runs off-grid when there is no sunshine. No inverters or batteries needed. It’s available in a 254lt Chest Freezer and in a 157lt Top Mounted Freezer Fridge. Fitted with Endura-Chill technology to keep our freezer compartments colder for up to 40 hours in the freezer and 21 hours in the fridge without electricity or sun. For more info go here.

This is also a very nice and tasteful gift. Everyone needs shopping lists. Available from PNA. If you’re artistically inclined or just like stationery, that shop is also the place to go for these markers.

For Him

PNA also has some lovely masculine gifts. Here’s a gentleman’s torch and some coffee cups.

Other lovely gifts are some personal grooming items from Manscaped – you can read about them here and use my link to get 20% off.

manscaped personal grooming men gift guide

That’s a wrap for the gift guide. So now that you’re suitably inspired -off you go! Add to cart!

Wishing everyone a very wonderful Christmas season this year. It’s always nice to look at pretty things while the world seems to be going crazy over new covid variants. So enjoy the distraction.

If you found this post interesting please share it with your friends and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram and join our awesome group called Mommy’s Me Time.

Please follow and like us:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Pin Share

Filed Under: gifts

« Preparing Yourself and Your Child to Go to University
Budget-friendly ways to enhance your child’s room »

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About

More about me
Subscribe Read More…

Set up your own blog!

Start a WordPress Blog from Scratch

Your Content Creation Companion

Subscribe and get this handy journal to spark creativity!






Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Please check your spam and promotion folder. 





Posts subcription

Get new posts by email:

Search

Your loadshedding schedule

Feedspot Award

Grab the button and get the code!

Categories

Intellifluence Trusted Blogger

samomblogs

🔸Content creators 🔸Bloggers 🔸Influencers 🔸Awesome Moms🔸#samomblogs #mommyblogger
Founded by Heather Step heather@samomblogs.co.za PE/Gqeberha

Something is cooking... Watch this space... With Something is cooking...

Watch this space...

With @lwando_joko_sipeliti 

#samomblogs
I've just come from the dentist and it was awful b I've just come from the dentist and it was awful but now afterwards not so bad! Glad I took the rest of the day off though.

On the weekend we tried this recipe from Louisa Holst's new book. I've always wanted an easy way to make my own pizza with real bread dough and I think I found it. It came out like a pizza pie but still good. My son is very fussy, he moaned that he could have done a better job but he still ate it. 

What do you think? Would you try it? Full recipe and comments up on the blog.

#samomblogs #airfryerrecipes #airfryerpizza #airfryerpizzas #mommyblogger
Do you like branded sneakers? Up on the blog I've Do you like branded sneakers?

Up on the blog I've got a new post which will show you where to find them and how to get the best deals.

#samomblogs #sneakers #ad #onlinedeals #sneakerfactory
Am I the only one completely overwhelmed with all Am I the only one completely overwhelmed with all the activities that we have to remember as moms?

There's nothing worse than pulling up to school and seeing all the other kids dressed a certain way and you forgot.

But I'm making an effort now to get organised with my mom planner. 
You can get it in the shop on my blog here:
https://samomblogs.co.za/product/ultimate-mom-planners

Here’s what’s included in the planner:

Cover page
Daily Planner page
Monthly planner page
Daily Routine page
Weekly planner page
Yearly plan
My goals page
Habit trackers (2 pages)
Health Tracker
Project planner
Savings tracker
Moms swear jar savings tracker
Cleaning checklist
Cleaning list
Chore chart
Grocery list (3 pages)
You’ll get a 20 page PDF File

On special for R97!

Let's get organised!

#samomblogs #momplanner #goals #routine
Happy Heritage Day! Grabbing some food quick in be Happy Heritage Day!
Grabbing some food quick in between classes. 
Hope you guys are having a good one.
#samomblogs #heritage #heritageday
This is an uncomfortable lesson for me, but if I This is an uncomfortable lesson  for me, but if I can save someone else, my job is done.

You can read the full story up on the blog.

CopyTrack is a legit company, but they follow dubious practices. They don't actually represent the client. They attack people who already have the right to the images. 

Read the full story up on the blog.

Always do your research!

#samomblogs #copytrack #copytrackscam #knowyourrights
It's the workbook you didn’t know you needed! Po It's the workbook you didn’t know you needed! Pop this around the house to journal for when you get ideas. 
40 pages full of questions with cute picture watermarks to give you inspiration. 

Check it out in my shop: https://samomblogs.co.za/product/busy-mom-content-workbook
Or just click on "shop" on the menu bar. 

#influencerjournal #leadingquestions #contentcreator #mominfluencerjournal #busymomjournal #samomblogs
Last day of presentations! I really got a lot of i Last day of presentations!
I really got a lot of insight yesterday, especially from the Pinterest ones. 
But today it's all Instagram and TikTok, so it's lots to learn!

Speaking today 

✨ Aprille Reed - 11 Ways to Monetize on TikTok (from 0 to 10K Followers)

✨ Laura Coulter - Just Talk. The Rest Can Be Systemized

✨ Helen Garfield - Back and Better: How to Make a Social Media Comeback You Can Actually Keep Up With

✨ Dr. Tracy Davis - From Overwhelm to Aligned Visibility: A 311% Instagram Growth Strategy Rooted in Energy, Not Hustle

✨ Sabine Matharu - How To Create An Evergreen Visibility Flywheel To Get Clients Consistently

✨ Becky Nieves - Break Up with the Algorithm

✨ Tracy Hoffman - TikTok: More Than Dancing Kids – A Powerful Business Tool

These presentations are all available for the next 20 hours - make sure you don't miss them!

#Socialsellssummit #socialsells #sellmyproducts #tiktoktips #growinstagram #Instagramgrowth #beatthealgorithm #samomblogs
If you are in Joburg, this workshop is a must atte If you are in Joburg, this workshop is a must attend one. You'll get a lot of input from experts, which will leave you better equipped to help your child. 
https://babyyumyum.com/the-neurodiversity-parenting-workshop-2025/

#NeurodiversityWorkshop #babyyumyumcoza #specialneedskids #neurodiversekids #WhatsoninJoburg
I'm speaking today at the Social Sells Summit! It I'm speaking today at the Social Sells Summit! It will be a behind the scenes look at how I put a social media schedule together. 

I also listened to Kira McCoy and she had some really interesting things to say about your messaging. (It's not about you. It's about what the person is looking for) But she is also into crafting and it's really cool how she described how she would sell a pair of earrings and what hashtags she used. 
Lots of other ones still to listen to. 
Speaking today 

✨ Heather Step - How to Sell a Summit on Social
✨ Tiffany Ngu - LinkedIn for Leads: How Coaches & Creators Are Quietly Booking Clients Without Paid Ads

✨ Frances Vidakovic - Cool Ways To Get Traffic From Pinterest In 2026

✨ Marin Johnson - Signature Social Series: The Content Strategy You’re Missing
✨ Kira McCoy - Magnetic Marketing with a little help from AI
✨ Dana Bahr - Pin, Post, Profit: Creating Evergreen Pinterest Funnels That Sell While You Sleep

These presentations are all available for the next 20 hours - make sure you don't miss them!
Another great lot of speakers today! Today, there Another great lot of speakers today!
Today, there are two audios, so I actually listened to them while doing some cooking. 
Amy Ayres is a great encourager if you've been scared to put yourself out there as an introvert.
Julia Zatta did a talk on LinkedIn, but I found what she said to be very applicable to any media you are putting out there, even for blog posts or any content. Something she said was to use those expressions that you are known for, use emotional, sensory stories and use numbers to grab attention. 
I still want to listen to the rest.

Speaking today 

✨ Jenna Webb - How to Authentically Use AI to 10x Your Art Sales and Social Media Reach

✨ Julia Zatta - 10 Copywriting Tips to Make Your LinkedIn Posts Pop

✨ Amy Ayres - Offbeat Ink Presents: Breaking the Feed (Meaningful and Intentional Social Media That Doesn't GIve You The Ick)

✨ Maiko Sakai - Quizzes as a Fast Conversion Tool: Sell More on Social Without the Hard Sell

✨ Maylene May - From Likes to Loyalty; Tips for Turning Your Groups into Community-Driven Sales

✨ Susan Trumpler - Turn Social Media Besties into Paying Clients (without feeling salesy!)

These presentations are all available for the next 20 hours - make sure you don't miss them!

#Socialsellssummit
#socialmedia #socialsells #contenttipsandtricks #samomblogs
I've just finished listening to Kayleigh King, who I've just finished listening to Kayleigh King, who is a photographer. She had lots of ideas to do professional photography. It's really important to showcase your brand. 
I also listened to Kelsey Silver yesterday, and she had some good tips on not to waste your time on certain DMs. It certainly rang true from the time when I tried to get private students and the kinds of conversations I had. 
These presentations are available for the next 18 hours. 

Speaking today 

✨ Kayleigh King - How to Build a Creative Shot List + Introduction to DIY Brand Photography

✨ Alex Jean Grunwell - Making Content Work Harder: Your Pinterest Content Stack for Evergreen Marketing

✨ Jenn Prochaska - You're Too Good at What You Do (And It's Killing Your Content)

✨ Nikki Hutson - The Social 5 Formula

✨ Esai Arasi - Content That Cuts Through the Noise and Straight to Buyers

✨ Sydney O'Brien - The Buyer Behavior Shift No One’s Talking About (and How It’s Changing Sales on Social)

✨ Kelsey Silver - Decode your DMS - How to turn conversations into clients without being online 24/7.

#socialmedia #Socialsellssummit #socialsells #samomblogs
https://samomblogs--catgriffin.thrivecart.com/social-sells-fast-action/ and link in bio as well
The countdown is on for the Neurodiversity Parenti The countdown is on for the Neurodiversity Parenting Workshop, your chance to gain expert advice, practical tools and connect with a community that understands.

https://babyyumyum.com/the-neurodiversity-parenting-workshop-2025/

This year’s Neurodiversity Parenting Workshop is brought to you by BabyYumYum and sponsored by @oldmutualsa in partnership with @theneuroverseza and @nutripaeds

BabyYumYum #BYY #NeurodiversityWorkshop #Countdown #ParentingSupport #NeurodivergentKids #BYYParenting #WhatsoninJoburg #TNPW202
The Social Sells Summit has started with these spe The Social Sells Summit has started with these speakers today.
The presentations are available for a few more hours. I have already listened to Kisten Robinson and she had some useful ideas to get your Instagram going again.

Here are the presentations:
Selling What You Know (Without turning into a sleazy salesbot) - Sarah Raanan

Delegate & Dominate Pinterest - Hemapriya Natesan

What Improv Taught Me About Social Media That Marketing Never Did - Jill Pavlov

Scroll-Stopping Social: How to Repurpose All Your Content with Less Effort Using AI - Heather Ritchie

Selling Without the Sleaze: Ethical Sales Strategies That Actually Work - Megan Kachigan

Back on the ’Gram: How I Revived My Instagram in 30 Days and Built a Consistent Posting Rhythm That Converts - Kristen Robinson

https://samomblogs--catgriffin.thrivecart.com/social-sells-fast-action/

#Socialsellssummit #instagramtips #contentcreation #samomblogs
Exciting news! The Social Sells Summit is happenin Exciting news! The Social Sells Summit is happening September 8–12, 2025 - and I’d love to invite you to join for free!

This virtual summit isn't about tricking the algorithm or posting endlessly to nowhere. Instead, you'll learn how to:

 ✅ Sell with integrity - no sleazy tactics 
 ✅ Find a rhythm that aligns with your life and business 
 ✅ Convert your conversations into clients without burnout 
 ✅ Lead with strategies that feel authentic and sustainable

I’ll be presenting on how to sell a summit on social, where I’ll share exactly how I put together a schedule and the method I used for the relevant video clips.

👉 Save your free spot here 👈

It’s totally free, fully online, and you can catch each session for 24 hours after it goes live!

https://samomblogs--catgriffin.thrivecart.com/social-sells-fast-action/
It's officially spring 🌻🌺 Get ready for the It's officially spring 🌻🌺

Get ready for the warmer weather with my new post up on the blog all about different kinds of fans.

#fans #heat #spring #cool #beattheheat☀️ #samomblogs
Sometime it all gets broken so that you can build Sometime it all gets broken so that you can build again.

Nicky handed in his project before he left for Craddock. But the wind blew it over. it was flat. People put their projects on top of his. He brought it home in tears. But we got the prestick out and added some reinforcements to make it stronger. The second version is built to stand.

What have you had to rebuild lately?

#rebuild #kidsprojects #electricity #tennis #scienceproject
If you are looking for educational resources, look If you are looking for educational resources, look no further. I've already downloaded the cutest alphabet flashcards and some growth and fixed mindset activities. There are all sorts of planners, guides, and printable resources. 

The Ultimate Homeschooling Bundle is a curated digital collection of nearly 30 resources worth $677+, available for just $28.

It includes:

🎁Printable learning centers

🎁Growth mindset escape rooms

🎁Character-building activities

🎁Subject-specific support (math, budgeting, early literacy)

🎁Planners for moms

Support for conscious parenting and more!

✔️ Created by certified teachers, published authors, and experienced homeschoolers 

✔️ Perfect for homeschoolers, families looking for educational screen-free fun during weekends, holidays, or breaks.

The sale is ending on Sunday, but if you buy before Friday night, you will get these bonuses:

🌱Gardening & Homesteading Bundle (available until Friday night)
🎄Year of Holidays Bundle (available until Friday night)
🎊Pop-Up Facebook Community with encouragement + guest sessions (closes Sunday night)

I'm contributing an e-book on how to teach the alphabet. This is based on my years of experience at a very progressive Montessori school. So go ahead and check out all the goodies here. 

I'm also doing a guest session on Monday night at 7pm SAST (1pm EST) on how to teach the alphabet and some early grammar resources.

https://heatherstep.krtra.com/t/uDnMSLq1c4dT

#homeschooling #homeschool #education #educationalresources #ABC #alphabet #maths #planners #school #teachers
When you claim the tiniest corner of the bed but s When you claim the tiniest corner of the bed but still rule the house 🐾💤 Who else has a cat that thinks they invented sleep?

Tell me what your cat did today! 😸👇 #catsofinstagram #catlover #catlifeishard
There are certain people I really look up to in th There are certain people I really look up to in the blogging world and Chelsea Clarke from @herpaperroute is one of them. 

I really enjoyed reading her book because it is her personal story of how she turned her life around.

Need to reinvent yourself? You need to read this book. Check out my review up on the blog. 

#samomblogs #blogging #girlpower #reinvention #buildingwealth #mindset
Follow on Instagram

Get beautiful, feminine themes from Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Delightful theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Delightful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.