Your real guide to wrapping up 2024 and welcoming 2025 in style

It seems that every year flies by faster than the last and it's hard to believe that we're getting ready to say goodbye to 2024. Jawitz Properties has put together a list of real tips for celebrating the festive season in style and getting 2025 off to a great start.

Celebrating the festive season - South African style

The fact that our holiday season traditions originate in the northern hemisphere doesn't mean we shouldn't put a southern slant on our celebrations. While the holiday stories we grew up with involve snow, sleds, turkey and hot Christmas pudding, there's no reason why we can't celebrate with pool parties, braais and pavlova. Here are four quick ideas for celebrating an unforgettable summer celebration.

1. Host a traditional South African braai: Gather friends and family for a classic summer braai. Fire up the coals, grill some boerewors, steaks, and chops and serve local sides like potato salad and mielie pap.
2. Celebrate with summer-inspired decor: Of course you want to keep the traditional Christmas décor but also go ahead and add a tropical vibe. Use bright colours, seashells, and local greenery such as aloes or proteas to decorate your home and bring a touch of the South African summer into your space.
3. Set up an outdoor feast: Take advantage of our warm weather by setting up a long table outside with festive decorations, fairy lights and lanterns. Enjoy a buffet of local summer favourites like seafood platters, fresh salads, and chilled fruit punch while dining under the open sky.
4. Enjoy summer sports and activities: Make the most of the good weather by organising fun activities for everyone. Play a casual game of beach volleyball, cricket or even set up a slip-and-slide at home for some playful fun.

Getting 2025 off to the right start in your home

If you're fortunate enough to be taking the first week or two of 2025 off, use them to your advantage and get your home looking its best. If there's a DIY project you've been putting on hold, now's the time to get inspired and get it done. If you don't have anything specific in mind, here are a few ideas:

1. Put away the festive season decorations and invest in some new cushion covers, scatter rugs or objet d'art to breathe new life into your space. Hint: earthy tones of pink, purple, green, yellow and brown are trending in 2025. Pantone has just named their Colour of the Year to be Mocha Mousse.
2. Revamp your home's entrance. Create a welcoming entrance by adding a new doormat and potted plants. If you have space, set up a small console table with a bowl for keys and other essentials to keep things super organised and stylish.
3. Upgrade your home office. Set up or refresh your workspace with better lighting and storage solutions. Add a personal touch with local art or motivational quotes to make working from home more inspired and enjoyable.
4. Reorganise your pantry and kitchen. Clean out your pantry and fridge, discard expired items, and organise your food by category. Invest in clear containers and labels for a clean and functional look. Don't forget to give your kitchen cabinets a wipe-down and check for any repairs that might be needed.
5. Spruce up your patio. Bring your outdoor space to life with new seating, colourful outdoor cushions and a few outdoor rugs. You could even keep up your fairy lights or lanterns from the festive season if you really want to. Consider setting up a small bar cart for our South African summer entertaining.
6. Add greenery and natural elements. Incorporate plants that thrive indoors. Decorate with natural materials such as wooden trays, woven baskets or stone sculptures for a calming effect.
7. Set up a home workout space. If fitness is part of your new year's goals, create a small workout area with a yoga mat, resistance bands, and dumbbells. This space can help motivate you to stay active without leaving home.

From the Jawitz Properties family to yours, we'd like to wish you a joyous and meaningful festive season. We hope that you and your families will make memories that last a lifetime. If you're looking for a new home to make wonderful memories in next year, get in touch and we will gladly help you find your dream property.