It's hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner and we just LOVE the festive season here at Kuku Interiors because we're big fans of the art of giving... Without meaning to sound overly deep, true giving - giving from the heart without any expectation of receiving something in return - is what Christmas is all about. It's not about shopping up a storm and retail madness, maxing out credit cards trying to outdo everyone else with the biggest, most ostentatious presents...
True giving is closely linked to happiness and brings enjoyment to both the giver and the receiver of the gift. So remember this when you're planning your prezzie list, and also think about how you can support local businesses when looking for gifts or telling people what you'd like. Rather than making online emporiums your first port of call, how about asking for vouchers from your favourite local shops that are struggling thanks to this "annus horribilis" we've all been enduring?
We think vouchers are a wonderful way to express your support for the "local is lekker" movement and at the same time practice the art of giving, which is why Kuku Interiors now offers vouchers as the perfect Yuletide present.
You choose the value of the voucher, and we make it look pretty. It can be for any product or service we offer, or a combination of both. They can be used to contribute towards the cost of re-upholstering your fugly couch you're tired of looking at, or to buy a new mirror for your safari-themed bathroom - that's the beauty of vouchers - you decide what you spend them on. So if you have a décor project in mind, get friends and family to chip in with a whole bunch of vouchers... Or combine vouchers to buy that big item you've had your eye on for a while...
You could even give a Kuku Interiors voucher to friends and family overseas who'd like to have an online consultation with our fabulous team, allowing them to share top tips and décor advice for the perfect African chic or safari home makeover and send you what you need to make it happen!
The tradition of giving presents at Christmas dates back millennia and while Christians associate it with the wise men giving the newborn baby Jesus their famous gifts, the Roman festival of Saturnalia saw citizens of Rome exchange gifts like ceramic figurines, festive candles, cake, fruit and nuts and drink themselves to a standstill (does it sound familiar?). Children were also given toys during the week-long Saturnalia, which predates Christ's birth by hundreds of years and culminated in the winter solstice (25 December).
Many other pagan festivals accross Europe that honour the winter solstice also included the exchange of gifts and feasting, as well as the practice of decorating their homes with the boughs of evergreen trees like the fir tree. Indeed, the ancient Egyptians also brought evergreen foliage into their homes during the dry season as a symbol of life.
But it was the 16th Century Germans who refined Christmas as we know it, decorating fir trees and hanging bright baubles in their homes, elaborately wrapping presents and exchanging greetings cards.
When it comes to wrapping gifts, the Japanese nailed it with their furoshiki - a square piece of fabric used for wrapping, transporting items and home décor - way back in 710BC. Today, furoshiki is more popular than ever and is a beautiful way to wrap a gift (and one where you definitely keep the wrapping!)
We also love the idea of using recycled Christmas paper, bags and boxes to wrap presents with. These days, "green" gift wrapping is the way to go and is more mainstream than ever, thanks to our raised levels of consciousness about protecting our planet.
You can get innovative with how you "wrap" your Kuku Interiors voucher - how about putting it in a lovely recycled gift box wrapped in furoshiki cloth before putting it under the Christmas tree? Now that's an idea for you!
Pop into the shop today and chat to us about our gift vouchers and how you can truly give from the heart this Christmas...
Gift Voucher Ts and Cs
• Gift vouchers can be redeemed in-store at Kuku Interiors or through an online consultation with a confirmed purchase on a product and/or service.
• Gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and cannot be exchanged for cash or used to pay any customer accounts.
• If exchanged for goods less than the value of the gift voucher, change will be issued in the form of another voucher.
• This gift voucher can only be redeemed once.
• Lost or stolen gift vouchers cannot be replaced.
• No refunds will be given on gift vouchers purchased.