It’s easy to fall into rigid routines where work and home are the only places we spend our time. But wellness experts say this can affect our health. That’s why they recommend having hobbies to promote better work-life balance, which includes building a community outside of our work and family lives.
According to Statista’s most popular hobbies & activities survey, South Africans love outdoor activities. Indoor or home-based activities like cooking, baking, reading or gardening are the only projects that outrank outdoor hobbies.
The problem though, with both outdoor or indoor activities, is that they aren’t always free. But this doesn’t mean that price-conscious consumers are unable to unlock their inner hobbyist in an affordable way, and enjoy activities that they love while getting value for their hard-earned money.
Online marketplace offers access and affordability
Having the ability to purchase items needed to engage in a hobby, online, without having to trek to a specialist store makes hobbies – and getting hold of the items needed to do them – that much more accessible to consumers. And with this far wider accessibility, consumers can also benefit from products being priced for the broader public. This equates to more options to choose from, which means better competitive pricing, and much higher affordability for the consumer.
In a country with 118.6 million active cell phone connections (many citizens have more than one device with an internet connection) shopping apps and online stores accessed on their phones are primarily where consumers will be looking to find out about new hobby-related products.
Humans are, by nature, curious creatures, and with access to such a broad array of hobby-related products, they are able to explore hobbies they may never have had the opportunity or ability to try. A Temu spokesperson adds: “Online stores can provide a variety of goods that help people try activities they’re curious about.”
South Africans seek affordability and savings
South Africa, like many countries in the world, has seen the effects of inflation, and while people still want to enjoy their hobbies and shop for new goods, they want to spend less and save while doing so. This means that consumers will be more likely to look out for deals. They might also look to social media to find out about the most affordable places to shop or ask friends and family.
For example, a recent TikTok video by influencer Dominic Zaca shared to her followers how affordable she found the Temu shopping marketplace platform, saying that one of the reasons the products are well priced is because they are sourced directly from suppliers.
Here are the top hobbies you can dive into to engage your creative side.
- Hosting a masterchef-level dinner party
The kitchen is a big part of our daily lives but it’s also the perfect place to refine your culinary skills before hosting a dinner party. From experimenting with Korean barbecue at home to upping your pastry skills for your next high tea, platforms like Temu’s kitchen kits offer a wide range of cookware and tableware at a bargain.
Sourcing special equipment like dumpling makers, cake slicers or package sealers, is also made simpler when you shop online.
- Awakening your inner artist
Arts and crafts activities are an instinctive way to reconnect with your inner child. A painting, crocheting or sketching session can provide calming and rewarding experiences.
If you don’t know where to start, DIY craft supply kits might be just what you need. There are sets that have up to 1 000 pieces, with everything from canvas to acrylic markers on offer, to unlock unlimited creative joy.
- Crafting your dream garden
Refining your green thumb takes time and practice but having the right tools will help keep your plants and vegetables alive. Full garden tool sets make it easier for beginners, while irrigation kits and rare items like indoor grow lights on the site will make daily plant care a breeze.
Advanced growers can take advantage of specialised kits for growing succulents or flowering plants. And vertical garden towers can also make this hobby easier to manage with limited space.
- Model kits for ships, kites and planes
The solo hobbyists will enjoy the patient work of building model planes or ships. From a 400-piece aircraft or 2 800-piece ship, these delicate items often require hours of careful building. This platform makes it easier to find the kits that you need to make this hobby a reality.
DIY kite sets are highly rated on this platform because you can find everything from dragon kites to 3D aeroplane kites that will make for a fun day out with the kids.
Traditionally, this type of modelling has been quite an expensive hobby to take up, given the high cost of materials. What many families are finding with platforms like Temu that make these hobbies more affordable and accessible. This in turn means that families take part in more healthy activities together, and spend additional time bonding together.
- Loving the great outdoors
If you’re passionate about the great outdoors, you know that having the right compression tights or yoga pants makes a world of difference. While shopping online, you can find virtually any fitness accessory to suit your financial situation.
These may include wetsuits for kitesurfing or surfing. Traditionally priced at R3 000 and above for adults, they can be found for a third of the price online. Items such as backpacks for novice and advanced hikers or waterproof bags with built-in water chambers that are ideal for long-distance trail runners are also more affordable when purchased using platforms such as Temu.
When niche hobby gear is easily accessible, people can hobby hop until they find the perfect leisure activity.