The end of the year rush is real and festive spirits are high. Holiday enthusiasts are flooding to golden beaches, restaurants and malls. The roads are buzzing and along with the summer hype comes a few frustrations.
We want dotsure.co.za family-members to have a laid-back holiday without the usual festive season light dimmers so we’ve put together a festive season survival guide to keep you floating this December.
Merry-curochrome
Christmas is a heavenly gift but pleasing la familia during the festivities is challenging and your ego might be shredded if they don’t like your gifts. Merry-curochrome those ego wounds before they happen with our feel-good online shopping guide and a recipe for Christmas sangria that will leave your family feeling festive.
Where to shop online this Christmas?
Family and friends deserve some over-the-top spoiling this festive season. Takealot.com offers convenient e-shopping with a wide range of products. You’ll find electronics, books, beauty products and other cool must-haves with the occasional crazy special.
If you’re an earth angel then you need to visit Vivaterra for eco-friendly home and lifestyle goodies with a hand-crafted aesthetic. Your fam will adore their recycled material and prezzies inspired by nature.
Remove those boring deodorants, chocolates, socks and coffee mugs from your Christmas list. Buy something out-of-the-ordinary on Uncommon Goods. They have a gifts section with products listed by interest like cool gadgets, artwork and more.
Listen up fashionistas! Zando is South Africa’s biggest online fashion store where you’ll find more than the (boring) little black dress. It’s got men’s, women’s and kid’s clothing, shoes and accessories for stylish looks at great prices.
You’ll find anything and everything at Makro (even things you don’t need, but must have). It’s like a giant treasure chest filled with electronics, homeware, gadgets and other tools and useful things.
What to drink for Christmas?
Christmas Sangria
Rosemary, cranberries, and apple make this sangria the tastiest Christmas drink to go with any holiday meal!
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay (I used Souverain Chardonnay)
- Three quarters cup sparkling apple cider
- One quarter cup sugar
- One quarter cup cranberries halved
- Three quarters cup cranberries, whole
- 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
- 3 rosemary sprigs
How to prepare
Mix all the ingredients together. Stir well and let the sugar dissolve. Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving. Enjoy the cranberry explosion in your mouth!
Check out more festive season recipes here: Quick and easy holiday recipes
Pet-icular Wellness
If your furry-friends join you this festive season, they’ll need some “pet-icular” wellness care. Don’t let the holiday rush make you forget about the fluffies. Take care of their health and treat them with a healthy treat or three.
What NOT to feed your pets this holiday season (or ever)?
- NO turkey with spice, butter and garlic.
The seasonings can be extremely toxic to pets. Rather feed them boneless and well-cooked, plain meat. No need to spice up their dishes!
- Absolutely NO Chocolate (so, more for you)
“Chocolate isn’t good for dogs, but you can have the rest of my milk”-Oreo. This is true! Chocoholics, don’t feed your pets chocolate. Although it does glorious things for humans, it makes pets sick.
- Hayibo, Sweet potatoes
Too much of a muchness. Giving your pets sweet stuff isn’t a great idea. It does not go down well in their furry bellies.
- Nein to Ham
No ham for Sam! Pork products can lead to vomiting and other nasty side-effects. Processed meats have preservatives which can cause sickness.
- Alcohol? Non, non, non.
There is a reason it’s called a doggie water bowl. It’s for water! Don’t pour alcohol into it or down your animals’ throats. Alcohol is reserved for the two-legged, non-animal species.
Protect your pets from the sun
Want to report animal cruelty?
AACL: REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY- CALL 011 435 0672.
If you have trouble reaching the AACL, contact your local vet or SPCA.
CPR your car
Cars don’t always feel like working during the festive season. They tend to put brakes on your holiday road trips when you least expect it. Don’t let a machine spoil your fun. Jumpstart your car or call us when your car’s mechanical heart stops beating.
10 steps to jump-start your car
- Park safely (it’s not impossible to push a stalled car off a level road)
- Call a friend with a “live” car.
- Park the “live” car with its bonnet facing yours at a distance of about 1,5 meters.
- Switch off the engine of the “live” car and make sure the “dead” car’s is also switched off.
- Pop both bonnets and attach the clamps in the following order, taking special care to not let the clamps touch at any point in the process:
Positive (usually red but check for a ”+” sign) to the positive terminal of the “dead” battery.
Then, connect the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the “live” battery.
Next, attach the negative (usually black but check for a “-“ sign) to the negative terminal of the “live” battery.
Then, connect the remaining negative clamp to an unpainted, metal surface of the engine – not near the battery.
- Get your friend to jump into his car and start his car’s engine, revving gently at first to boost the power across to “revive” your battery.
- After idling a minute or two, hop into your car and give it a go. If it doesn’t start, check all the connections and tighten or clean if necessary before trying it again. If it still doesn’t start, then you’re probably at the mercy of a more serious problem.
- If it does start – AWESOME. Give your friend a high five and disconnect the cables in the reverse order:
Remove the negative clamp from the unpainted surface first. Then, take the negative clamp off the “live” battery. Next, the positive clamp off the “live” battery. Lastly, disconnect the positive cable from your previously “dead” battery.
- You’ll need to drive your car around for a good 20 – 30 minutes to charge your battery properly.
- When you eventually get home, remember to check that your headlights, radio and interior lights are all off! :-)
Please remember that we aren’t qualified mechanics and cannot be held accountable for any mishaps that occur as a direct or indirect result of following these guidelines. While we enjoy providing helpful information, we urge you to check your car manual for any special instructions they provide on jump starting your specific make or model.
Who do I call during a car emergency?
We have an awesome team of professional service providers standing by to assist you 24/7 with incidents occurring within the borders of South Africa. You receive emergency roadside assistance if you are one of our car insurance clients.
Call dotsure.co.za on 0861 dotsure (368 7873) for roadside emergency assistance.
Emergency numbers to save on your mobile
dotsure.co.za wishes you safe travels and happy, sunny days!
