Christmas markets … and shedding a tear for Tupperware

What you want to know this week

No Sex, No Sup, Just Tup-Tup-Tup!

Tupperware, the company that has become synonymous with plastic storage in the kitchen recently declared bankruptcy in the US, and has now announced that they will cease operations in South Africa and other markets, including Australia, by the end of the year.

Tupperware was founded in 1942 by Earl Tupper, who developed and marketed his first plastic container by 1946. The concept exploded through Tupper's ingenious marketing idea to encourage housewives in the 1950s to hold Tupperware parties to sell the products to their friends and family.

One of the most successful hosts of these parties was Brownie Wise. She became the president of Tupperware Home Parties and encouraged Tupper to remove the products from stores entirely. She created a slogan: “No Sex, No Sup, Just Tup-Tup-Tup!"

With the explosion in the production of cheap plastic in recent decades, Tupperware has run into trouble. The fate of the company was partly the result of Tupperware's high quality because their products last. (One of the Fomolistas is quite moved: Her ugly green braai/meat marinating bowl has lasted for 20 years.) But one of the reasons for Tupperware's problems is also a growing public aversion to plastic goods in favour of more environmentally friendly materials. This led to the higher-end market moving away from the brand.

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Christmas markets

In the south ...

The Cape offers an abundance of Christmas cheer this festive season. From family-friendly events to unique shopping experiences, you're sure to find plenty of festive joy.

#1 The Blaauwklippen Dusk Market (Stellenbosch) is a magical twilight market hosted under twinkling lights in ancient fig trees at the picturesque Blaauwklippen wine estate. This mix of African and European festival traditions takes place this year on 19 December from 16:00 to 21:00. And on 20 to 22 December from 10:00 to 21:00.

#2 The Stellenbosch Christmas Market. This highly anticipated event every year with more than 200 stalls offers impressive and high-quality goods. Mondays to Fridays until 7 December, Martinson Street, Uniepark, Stellenbosch.

#3 Franschhoek's Village Christmas Market has a variety of high-quality stalls offering everything from handmade gifts to delicious treats. From 4 to 15 December, 09:00 to 15:00, 29 Huguenot Road.

#4 The CapeGate Festival Market in Brackenfell at the CapeGate Mall returns for a third year with a diverse range of handmade goods from local creators. On Saturdays and Sundays until 24 December. 

#5 The Fab Ideas Christmas Gift Fair in Sun Valley, Fish Hoek, has over 120 exhibitors offering unique and locally made gifts. From 14 to 19 Desember, 09:00 tot 17:00, Brigantine Ave, Sun Valley.

#6 Edgemead's Christmas Market is one of Cape Town's most beloved markets with 200 local artisans showcasing their creations. Every day until 24 December from 10:00 to 20:00, Edgemead Drive.

#7 The Blue Bird Sunday Christmas Market in Muizenberg is a unique blend of local creativity and delicious food. Thursdays from 16:00 to 21:00 and Fridays from 16:00 to 22:00, 9 Albertyn Road.

#8 A German (inspired) Christmas market in Paarden Island. Experience a taste of Germany at this festive pop-up market, held every Saturday before Christmas. Enjoy unique gifts, flowers, and handmade German holiday decorations, along with traditional foods such as gingerbread and German Christmas cookies. There's even a chance to take home a real German Christmas tree! On 7, 14 and 21 December from 09:00 to 15:00, 33 Section Street.

In the north ...

#1 Christmas carols at the Irene Village Mall on 15 December between 17:00 and 18:30 is preceded by a full-day Christmas market with more than 200 stalls.

#2 The Hazel Food & ACC market at the Phobians Club in Pretoria. From beautiful handmade jewellery, vintage clothing, and indoor plants to fresh produce, baked goods, and unique souvenirs. On 16 December from 08:00 to 14:00.

#3 The Lynnwood Christmas Market at the Grove Mall in Pretoria on 20 to 22 December from 09:00 to 17:00.

This week’s finds

#1 The Fomolistas are big fans of Chavroux, the famous French soft goat's milk cheese sold in its distinctive upside-down pyramid boxes. We've now discovered a wonderful and much more affordable option for the expensive imported French delicacy. Woolies sells La Rochelle cream cheese, also mixed with garlic and herbs. It is made from Jersey milk, but has the same tangy, creamy taste. At R54.99 (compared to Chavroux's R114) it is a real bargain! The cream cheese is a particularly tasty snack with Woolies' rosemary crackers.

#2 A favourite new tea. Pick n Pay's Honey Rooibos & Chamomile has gentle honey and flower flavours, and is tasty when cold too. We simply keep bottles of it in the fridge.

#3 If you love baking, Chocolate Lover, a new baking book by Michele Song, is a marvel. It's an irresistible collection of 60 recipes with photos of every baked goodie: cookies, brownies, cakes, tarts, sweetbreads, pastries, and more, all made with white, milk, semi-sweet or dark chocolate. We love it, and even though we're not big bakers, this one has had us in the kitchen twice since we got the book. The “Brown butter chocolate rice crispy treats" were irresistible! R629 at Takealot.

What we’re cooking

Further to our sardine obsession (which Anneliese wrote about in her Sunday newsletter), see this marinated veg and sardine snack from Andy Baraghani. The key is in the easy carrot, shallot and chili pickles.

Shake it up for the new year

24 things to declutter before 2024 is over.

Hikes we still want to do ...

#4 must-do hiking adventures to plan for in the new year

#1 Kogelberg Nature Trail – Western Cape
#2 Tsitsikamma Trail – Eastern Cape
#3 Leopard Trail – Eastern Cape
#4 Mafadi Peak – KwaZulu-Natal

Tip of the week

A useful application of a bottle of Coke to solve some pesky domestic problems:

Quote of the week

@dj_fattony_

#10 thoughts from Iris Murdoch

#1 Love is the extremely difficult realisation that something other than oneself is real.

#2 I think being a woman is like being Irish ... Everyone says you're important and nice, but you take second place all the time.

#3 Writing is like getting married. One should never commit oneself until one is amazed at one's luck.

#4 I hate solitude, but I'm afraid of intimacy. The substance of my life is a private conversation with myself which to turn into a dialogue would be equivalent to self-destruction. The company which I need is the company which a pub or a café will provide. I have never wanted a communion of souls. It's already hard enough to tell the truth to oneself.

#5 We can only learn to love by loving.

#6 Falling out of love is chiefly a matter of forgetting how charming someone is.

#7 One should go easy on smashing other people's lies. Better to concentrate on one's own.

#8 The absolute yearning of one human body for another particular body and its indifference to substitutes is one of life's major mysteries.

#9 Every artist is an unhappy lover. And unhappy lovers want to tell their story.

#10 What a test that is: more than devotion, admiration, passion. If you long and long for someone’s company you love them.

Video of the week

See the other creations on Insta too. Wonderful!

See you at the market!

♦ VWB ♦

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