Inside Durban make-up artist’s festive family Christmas Day
Durban make-up artist Tammy Pienaar shares her family’s festive traditions, from beachside memories to low-stress Christmas magic.
IT’S the festive season, and we managed to squeeze into the diary of one of Durban’s busiest make-up artists to find out how she spends her Christmas Day.
Married to her high-school sweetheart and a mother of two, Tammy Pienaar said Christmas is a treasured family time, especially because the rest of her year is spent dashing between photoshoots, weddings, and school runs.
She said her life is “equal parts chaos and charm”, and she’s happiest when surrounded by creativity, strong coffee, and absolutely anything involving the beach.
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For the Pienaar family, Christmas morning starts with the coffee machine brewing while the children rush to inspect the tags on the presents beneath the tree.
“Christmas, for me, is that magical pause in the year where everything feels softer, sweeter, and a whole lot more sparkly,” she said.
“It’s family, laughter, too many snacks, and that feeling that the world slows down just enough for us to appreciate the people we love. It’s the season where calories don’t count, the music gets cheesier, and everyone is a bit more relaxed.”
Childhood memories
Pienaar fondly recalls spending a week every Christmas on the South Coast, where her grandparents owned a holiday home.
“Mornings kicked off on the beach, watching my grandpa cast his line from his special rock, no one dared steal his spot! Days belonged to the pool, and evenings were spent with all the kids trying (and failing) to stay calm while waiting for Santa.”
One of her favourite traditions was hanging personalised baubles on the tree on Christmas Eve. “The boys gathered around the spit braai while the ladies caught up in the kitchen, whipping up sides, desserts, and enough snacks to feed a small village.”
A low-stress Christmas as a mom
Now, as a mother herself, Tammy has mastered the art of the fuss-free Christmas lunch.
“Think a mix-and-match grazing table, a gorgeous roast or braai, and desserts that are 90% sugar and 10% Christmas spirit,” she laughs. “Our tradition? Everyone gets a Christmas cracker and has to wear their ridiculous paper crown, non-negotiable.”
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Over the years, the Upper Highway family has collected so much festive décor that they now have an entire storage unit dedicated purely to Christmas.
“Yes, a whole unit,” Tammy says. “Each year we pick a theme, last year was The Grinch, and this year we’re going with Pink and Red. For setup, we set aside a Sunday, I make air fryer s’mores, we blast Christmas golden oldies, and the house slowly transforms into Santa’s slightly over-excited cousin’s home.”
The best gifts
When asked about the best gift she’s received or the one she still hopes for, the mother of two boys doesn’t hesitate.
“Anything personalised makes my heart melt. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just thoughtful. Even a little stationery box filled with gift tags, ribbons, and pretty accessories feels like someone bottled Christmas and wrapped it just for me.”
But her favourite gift of all is one she gives rather than receives.
“As cheesy as it sounds, the best gift is paying it forward. Each year, we choose a family or person in need, and we spoil them. It’s become a tradition and a life lesson for our kids.”
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