The Stories Behind Our Gifts

The Gifting Studio

Every product we make starts with a question: what will this do for the person who receives it, long after the event or the handshake? This guide tells the story behind each piece in our range, what it's for, and the thinking that shaped it. Use it alongside The Gifting Studio brochure to choose gifts that carry meaning.

  • Made to Be Used: Tools for reflection, rest and connection, not souvenirs that end up in a drawer.
  • Rooted in Real Work: Our cards and journals grow out of years of coaching, facilitation and women's leadership work.
  • Small-Batch by Design: Designed in our Cape Town studio and made in small batches, so quality and finishing come first.
  • Made by Women: Handmade pieces come from the women makers in our collective, and every order supports their businesses.

Card Decks

Reflection & Conversation Tools

Our card decks are the heart of the studio. Each one is a small, portable tool that opens a conversation, with a team, a friend or yourself. They're designed so that a single card, drawn on an ordinary morning or at the start of a meeting, can shift the tone of a day.

Check In Cards

Check In Cards

53 cards · for managers & facilitators

Seven categories of prompts: Social, Build Trust, Creativity, Growth, Curiosity, Self-Worth and Wellbeing.

Why it matters

Most meetings start with updates. These start with people. A good check-in builds the trust and psychological safety that teams need to do their best work, and these cards make that easy for any manager, even one who has never facilitated before.

The thinking behind it

Built from the facilitation practice behind our leadership retreats and workshops. The categories move a group from light warm-ups to deeper trust-building, so the deck works for a first team meeting and for a year-end offsite alike.

Good for: team leaders, new managers, HR and L&D teams, facilitators, offsite and retreat packs.

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Inside Out Self-Coaching Cards

Inside Out Self-Coaching Cards

31 cards · Think, Reflect, Act

Thirty prompts in three types, plus a card that links to a one-on-one Inside Out Session.

Why it matters

Coaching is out of reach for many people. This deck puts a coach's questions in their hands, so they can check in with themselves regularly, notice what they're carrying and choose one small action.

The thinking behind it

The Think, Reflect, Act structure follows a real coaching conversation: understand the situation, look inward, then move. It's a bridge between self-reflection and working with a coach.

Good for: emerging leaders, coaching programs, graduates, anyone in a season of change.

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Golden Threads

Golden Threads

20 cards · affirmations for financial growth

An affirmation and a reflection question on every card, across four themes, plus a how-to-use card.

Why it matters

Money is one of the hardest things for women to talk about. This deck makes it gentler: draw a card, read it aloud, sit with the question over coffee or on a walk. It helps people name their worth, ask for what they need and build a future on their own terms.

The thinking behind it

Wealth is "woven one small, intentional choice at a time." The four themes (Knowing My Worth; Asking and Earning; Saving and Building; Spending, Sharing and Legacy) trace a journey from old money stories to legacy. Blue and gold ink-style art. For reflection, not financial advice.

Good for: women's networks, entrepreneurs starting out, financial wellness programs, graduates.

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CEO of My Life

CEO of My Life

20 cards

Affirmations for taking ownership of your choices, time and direction.

Why it matters

A daily reminder that you get to lead your own life with the same clarity and confidence you bring to your work. A small nudge toward intentional decisions.

The thinking behind it

Draws on the language of leadership and applies it to everyday life, reflecting the studio's focus on women stepping into their own authority.

Good for: women in leadership, founders, milestone birthdays, promotions.

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My Dreams Matter

My Dreams Matter

20 cards

Affirmations for holding on to big hopes and taking steps toward them.

Why it matters

Dreams are easy to put on hold. This deck keeps them in view and gives the recipient permission to take them seriously.

The thinking behind it

Pairs with the My Dreams Matter journal, so the cards prompt the thought and the journal holds the plan.

Good for: young women's programs, graduations, mentoring circles, new beginnings.

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Self-Worth Affirmations

Self-Worth Affirmations

20 cards

Affirmations for confidence, self-belief and kindness toward yourself.

Why it matters

The way we speak to ourselves shapes how we show up. These cards offer kinder words to reach for on hard days.

The thinking behind it

Part of our wellbeing series. Every deck has its own color palette so each one is instantly recognizable in a gift box or on a desk.

Good for: wellness days, staff appreciation, women's events, care packages.

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Coming Soon

In This Moment: Enneagram Cards

Coming soon

Affirmation cards for each of the nine Enneagram types.

Why it matters

Personalized encouragement that speaks to how each person is wired, which makes it especially powerful for teams who have done Enneagram work together.

The thinking behind it

The first physical product from In This Moment, our Enneagram affirmation tool.

Good for: teams using the Enneagram, coaching clients, leadership programs.

Journals, Planners & Notebooks

Paper for Thinking

A notebook is one of the few gifts people use every day. Ours are designed to be lived with: some for planning, some for reflection, some simply beautiful enough to reach for. Several are guided, with prompts drawn from our coaching work.

A5 Planner & Wellbeing Journal

A5 Planner & Wellbeing Journal

202 pages · soft cover · full color

Year review, Wheel of Life, goals and milestones, monthly, weekly and daily pages, habit, money and self-talk tools, coloring and self-care pages.

Why it matters

Most planners only ask what you need to get done. This one also asks how you're doing. It helps the recipient plan with purpose while looking after their wellbeing, which is how goals actually get reached.

The thinking behind it

It opens with reflection before planning, the way a good coaching session does, and builds in weekly reviews and mindful breaks so the year stays intentional, not just busy.

Good for: year-end and new-year gifting, staff wellness, conference packs, onboarding.

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I Am Grateful: A Reflection Diary

I Am Grateful: A Reflection Diary

A5 · beige, sage, blue or pink

Intention pages, a Wheel of Life, a short goals section, then gentle daily pages with gratitude prompts and periodic look-backs.

Why it matters

A calm daily practice with no rules, streaks or pressure. A full page, one line or nothing at all: every entry counts. It holds the ordinary days and the difficult ones.

The thinking behind it

Gratitude without performance. Generous white space, two gratitude prompts, one reflection on why a moment mattered, and one gentle intention for tomorrow.

Good for: wellbeing programs, thank-you gifts, end-of-year reflection, anyone who has had a hard year.

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My Life Operating System Workbook

My Life Operating System Workbook

A5 · self-guided

Identity reflections, time, energy and support containers, boundaries, income alignment, weekly rhythm mapping and a pressure-test checklist for big decisions.

Why it matters

For leaders and professionals carrying visible and invisible labor. It helps them redesign how work and life fit together, especially after burnout or overload, and treats health as part of good leadership.

The thinking behind it

A reflective tool, not a productivity planner. It asks "who are you choosing to be?" and ends with a one-page summary of the recipient's own operating system.

Good for: leadership retreats, executive and board gifts, coaching programs, founders.

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Self Love Journal

Self Love Journal

A5 · pairs with affirmation cards

A guided journal for self-compassion, sold alone or with an affirmation card set.

Why it matters

Gives the recipient space to slow down and treat themselves with the care they give everyone else.

The thinking behind it

Designed as a pair with our affirmation cards: draw a card, then write.

Good for: Mother's Day, Women's Month, self-care bundles, women's events.

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My Dreams Matter Journal & Notebook

My Dreams Matter Journal & Notebook

A5 · with affirmation cards

A journal for naming dreams and planning the steps toward them.

Why it matters

Turns "one day" into a plan. A meaningful gift for someone starting something new.

The thinking behind it

The companion to the My Dreams Matter card deck.

Good for: graduates, young women's programs, weddings, new ventures.

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African Sunrise Notebook

African Sunrise Notebook

A5 · 150 pages · soft cover

A bright, full-color sunrise cover on a notebook made for everyday use.

Why it matters

The notebook that goes into every meeting. Something warm and hopeful to carry plans, ideas and to-do lists through the year.

The thinking behind it

A sunrise is a new chapter. The design is part of a matching family with the African Sunrise cushions, so it works on its own or as part of a set.

Good for: conference and delegate packs, team kits, onboarding, pairing with any card deck.

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Custom Notebooks

Custom Notebooks

A4 or A5 · lined or unlined

Notebooks with your own cover design, logo or event artwork.

Why it matters

Branding that people actually use. A notebook from an event is still on the desk months later.

The thinking behind it

We design covers with you so they feel like a gift, not merchandise.

Good for: conferences, workshops, launches, board and AGM packs.

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Handmade Bookmarks

Handmade Bookmarks

Maker: Sam's Beaded Creations

Silver-tone hook bookmarks, hand-beaded with bright wooden beads and finished with a small charm: a heart, yin yang, peace sign or "joy".

Why it matters

A small, personal touch that keeps someone's place, and the charm carries a little message each time they open the book.

The thinking behind it

Beaded by hand by Sam, one of the makers in our collective, so no two are the same. An easy add-on that makes any journal gift feel complete, and every one supports her creative business.

Good for: stocking fillers, book clubs, add-ons to journal bundles.

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Affirmation Home & Desk

Words Where You Rest and Work

We put affirmations where people pause: on the couch, beside the bed, under a cup of tea at the desk. These are everyday objects with a quiet message, so the encouragement keeps working long after the gift is opened.

Soft Joy Affirmation Cushion

Soft Joy Affirmation Cushion

40 x 40cm · inner included

One short affirmation in gold lettering over a watercolor wash in blush, sky blue or honey gold.

"I choose Joy." · "This is where I Exhale." · "Rest is Work." · "Joy is my Rebellion."

Why it matters

A gentle reminder, in the place people rest, that rest and joy are allowed. For anyone who gives a lot of themselves, it's permission to slow down.

The thinking behind it

Rest as a feminist act. The wording comes from our work with women leaders who are learning that rest is part of the work. Sublimation printed so the design becomes part of the fabric and won't crack or peel.

Good for: thank-you and appreciation gifts, wellness bundles, housewarmings, retirements.

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Daily Anchors Glass Affirmation Coasters

Daily Anchors Glass Affirmation Coasters

Set of 6 · glass

Six affirmations on soft watercolor in blush, sage or cream, with a fine gold line.

"I lead from my values." · "I trust what I know." · "Small steps still move me forward."

Why it matters

Six small anchors for the moment you put your cup down. On a desk, they offer a steadying word in the middle of a busy day.

The thinking behind it

Each affirmation is drawn from our coaching and leadership work. Designed and printed in-house, and available with gift boxing or custom branding.

Good for: leaders and colleagues, board gifts, office teams, hostess gifts.

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Printed or Custom Coasters

Sets of 4 or 6

Coasters printed with our designs, or with your own artwork, logo or photos.

Why it matters

Useful every day and easy to personalize. A practical gift that brings a bit of design to a desk or table.

The thinking behind it

A simple canvas for your story: a brand palette, a place, a milestone or a team photo.

Good for: client gifts, events, housewarmings, pairing with notebooks.

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African Sunrise Cushion Set

African Sunrise Cushion Set

2-pack · 40cm

A pair of cushions in our warm African Sunrise design.

Why it matters

Brings warmth and color into a home or office lounge. A hopeful image to come back to.

The thinking behind it

Part of the African Sunrise family, matching the notebook, so you can build a coordinated gift.

Good for: office reception areas, housewarmings, client thank-yous.

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Coming Soon

New Affirmation & Enneagram Cushions and Coasters

New for festive 2026

New affirmation designs, presented in gift boxes.

Why it matters

Ready-to-give pieces that bring the same encouragement into the home, beautifully boxed.

The thinking behind it

Extends our card decks into objects people live with every day.

Good for: festive gifting, team gifts, markets.

Personal Keepsakes

Made from Your Moments

Some gifts mean the most because they carry a face, a place or an inside joke. These pieces are made to order, one at a time, from the photos and words you send us.

Make Memories Custom Photo Cushion

Make Memories Custom Photo Cushion

25cm or 40cm · one or both sides

Your photo of a pet, a person or a special moment, printed on a soft poly-linen cover.

Why it matters

A keepsake that's seen and held every day. It turns a favorite memory into something warm and present in the home.

The thinking behind it

We crop and prepare each image by hand and print in small batches with fade-resistant inks, so the colors stay bright wash after wash.

Good for: farewells, retirements, team photos, pet lovers, family milestones.

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Custom Photo Money Box

Custom Photo Money Box

Personalized

A white frame-style box with your photo behind a clear front and a slot for coins and notes.

Why it matters

A keepsake you can save with. It makes a savings goal visible and personal, which makes it far easier to stick to.

The thinking behind it

Pairs with the Golden Threads deck as a gift about building a future, one small choice at a time.

Good for: financial wellness programs, children and young people, new parents, graduates.

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Custom Key Rings & Cheeky Quote Keyrings

Custom Key Rings & Cheeky Quote Keyrings

Photo or quote · 4 shapes

Double-sided photo key rings, or printed keyrings with short, funny lines like "Doing my best. Mostly."

Why it matters

Something small that goes everywhere with the recipient. A photo keeps someone close; a cheeky line gets a smile on a long day.

The thinking behind it

Humor is a form of care. The cheeky quotes are written in-house and made to order in small batches.

Good for: stocking fillers, event favors, team gifts, add-ons.

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Handmade by Our Makers

Made in Small Batches by Women Makers

The Women Makers Collective is a community of women who create and supply products we source and sell. When you choose these pieces, you're investing directly in a woman's creative business. Each maker's work is personal, so no two pieces are quite the same.

Lucence by Mo

Lucence by Mo

Maker: Mo

Hand-poured soy candles with cotton or wooden wicks, reed diffusers, and handmade décor: trinket trays, jars, bowls and coaster sets with gold leaf.

Why it matters

Candles and décor that bring warmth and a sense of ritual into a space. Many vessels can be reused afterward, so the gift keeps its place in the home.

The thinking behind it

Mo pours and shapes every piece by hand using slow, careful techniques and natural soy wax, which burns cleaner than paraffin. Because each piece is handmade, color and gold leaf vary slightly.

Good for: wellness and self-care gifts, festive season, women's events, executive gifts.

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Curated by Majestic Earrings

Curated by Majestic Earrings

Maker collection

Statement earrings and accessories made from upcycled materials, in bold African-inspired designs.

Why it matters

Jewelry with a story to tell. Each pair is a conversation piece that celebrates culture, creativity and women's empowerment.

The thinking behind it

Materials are given a second life, combining heritage patterns with modern style. Each pair comes beautifully packaged.

Good for: women's events, speaker and panelist gifts, Women's Month, birthdays.

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Silver Charm Drop Earrings

Silver Charm Drop Earrings

Maker: Sam's Beaded Creations

Antique silver-tone charms: Africa Map, Tree of Life, Lotus, Sister Heart, Elephant, Mandala and more.

Why it matters

"Little charms with big meaning." The recipient can wear a symbol of rootedness, balance, home, sisterhood or strength, and the giver can choose one that says something personal.

The thinking behind it

Handmade by Sam, one of the makers in our collective. Every pair directly supports her creative business.

Good for: small thank-yous, sister and friendship gifts, stocking fillers, women's networks.

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Collections & Everyday Pieces

Curated Ranges

Alongside our core ranges, we curate small collections around a place or a theme, plus practical pieces for the desk that we design to feel personal.

The West Coast Collection

The West Coast Collection

Cushion covers, coasters, totes, notebooks

Pieces inspired by the towns and coastline of South Africa's West Coast.

Why it matters

A sense of place to take home. A thoughtful gift for visitors, delegates or anyone with a connection to the coast.

The thinking behind it

One of several collections we curate, celebrating the landscapes and small towns that inspire our designs.

Good for: visiting delegates, holiday gifts, housewarmings.

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Desk Pieces

Desk Pieces

Mouse pads · phone & tablet holder · laptop sleeve

Practical desk accessories, many available in our designs.

Why it matters

Used every working day. Paired with a card deck, they turn a desk into a place with a bit of encouragement built in.

The thinking behind it

We include them where they add real usefulness to a gift, such as the Work Happy and Desk Boost bundles.

Good for: onboarding kits, remote and hybrid teams, year-end team gifts.

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Gift Bundles

The Story Each Set Tells

Each bundle in The Gifting Studio brochure is built around one message. Here's what each one says to the person who receives it.

Lead with Care gift box

Lead with Care

Check In Cards + Daily Anchors Coasters

For the leader who puts people first. Tools to open conversations and steady words for the desk.

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Team Year-End Kit gift box

Team Year-End Kit

Check In Cards + African Sunrise Notebook + Mouse Pad

Reflect on the year together, then start the next one with a fresh page.

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The Full Exhale gift box

The Full Exhale

Cushion + Coasters + Cards + Earrings

Our most generous set. Permission to rest, wrapped up with handmade jewelry from a woman maker.

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Soft Joy gift box

Soft Joy

Affirmation Cushion + Card Deck

Joy and rest are allowed. A reminder for the couch and a deck for the morning.

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Slow Mornings gift box

Slow Mornings

Affirmation Cushion + Daily Anchors Coasters

An invitation to begin the day gently, with a cup of something warm.

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Made by Women gift box

Made by Women

Maker Earrings + Lucence Candle + Affirmation Cards

Every piece made or designed by women. A gift that supports women's businesses directly.

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Golden Threads gift box

Golden Threads

Financial Growth Cards + Custom Photo Money Box

Building a future, one small intentional choice at a time.

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Fresh Page gift box

Fresh Page

African Sunrise Notebook + Card Deck

For new beginnings. A prompt to think and a place to write it down.

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Sunrise Charm gift box

Sunrise Charm

Silver Charm Earrings + African Sunrise Notebook

A meaningful symbol to wear and a notebook for the chapter ahead.

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Little Thank You gift box

Little Thank You

Printed or Custom Coasters + Silver Charm Earrings

A small gift with real thought behind it, for the people who made a difference.

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Host & Toast gift box

Host & Toast

Printed or Custom Coasters + African Sunrise Notebook

For hosts, partners and the people who brought everyone together.

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Desk Boost gift box

Desk Boost

Affirmation Cards + Phone Holder

Encouragement at eye level, for busy working days.

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Work Happy gift box

Work Happy

Laptop Skin + Mouse Pad + Phone Holder

A workspace that feels like their own.

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Coastal Home gift box

Coastal Home

West Coast Cushion Cover + Notebook + Coasters

A sense of place, brought home.

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Summer Feet gift box

Summer Feet

West Coast Socks + Flip Flops

A playful nod to the South African summer.

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Make It Yours

Most of our range can be personalized for your organization, event or message, so the gift tells your story too.

  • Custom covers, branding or artwork on notebooks, coasters and cushions
  • Gift boxing and handwritten-style message cards
  • Bundles built around your theme, values or event
  • Bulk orders for teams, conferences, boards and delegates

Talk to The Gifting Studio

Tell us who you're gifting and what you'd like them to feel. We'll help you choose.

Email: gifts@thenextchapter.co.za
Phone / WhatsApp: +27 71 272 8245

See our gifting options

Designed in Cape Town · Made in small batches by women makers · For every next chapter