Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

Congratulations to the Bulls, the 2009 Currie Cup Champions. The Cheetahs also need to be commended for their gigantic effort in coming so close. Remember that the Cheetahs are made up mainly of non capped players and confronted the star studded Bulls team with a passion and ferocity that makes any rugby supporter proud.

The Bulls won 36-24. The closest the Cheetahs came to catching up with the Bulls was the six point difference with Nico Breedt’s converted try with just under half an hour to play. Morne Steyn quickly rectified the situation with some well taken goal-kicks that made the lead more comfortable again.

The Blue Bulls and formerly Northern Transvaal, have now played the Free State in nine finals, with seven wins and a draw. And since 2002 they have been in seven of the eight finals, winning all but two with one shared. The Blue Bulls have now won the Cup outright 19 times and also shared it four times in their 31 finals.

Another Final, another victory! Well done Bulls. You have made your point, now will you give the Sharks a chance!

Our challenge to you this month is to do Christmas differently this year. The fact that something has worked for you up to now, shouldn’t mean that you always have to do it this way. On the contrary – it can be quite liberating to do things differently. C’mon, you can do it!

I admit that it’s quite convenient to pop in at Woolies to get that festive-looking tin of snacks as a gift to Aunt Gertrude, but isn’t it just so much nicer to receive an unpretentious basket of home-made biscuits with a small gift tag that was made by someone? What I love even more is the way some of the biscuits differ in shape, size and..uhm, consistency.

It says: I care about you enough to spend very precious time to make you something personal. It conveys a message of friendship, closeness and care. And that is what Christmas is about: Love.

9 Home-made gift ideas:

1. Bake biscuits, crunchies, rusks or make fudge or coconut ice. Alternatively: A health snack box made up of dried fruit, nuts, crackers etc. Packaging: Use a box, tin, basket or glassware with a big, happy ribbon
2. Knit Christmas stockings or a comfy pair of bed socks for those rainy stay-in-bed days
3. Get creative and make your own Christmas paper and gift-tags/cards
4. For a sentimental touch: Purchase a little box and fill it with inspirational quotes/sayings or verses that will inspire a friend or family member for a whole month (one quote a day) – you can even use decopage to decorate the box
5. To that special friend: A personal scrapbook filled with memories
6. Buy inexpensive frames and add your own creative touch
7. Buy a lovely pot plant and replant it into a pretty pot that you’ve painted/decorated yourself.
8. Get your festive behind down to the bead shop and make your own jewellery.

And it doesn’t stop here. No! Start a new family Christmas tradition: Do Christmas the South African way!