“Woolies Is Losing”: Cape Town Woman Stunned by Woolworths Groceries Minis Prices for Christmas

• A Cape Town woman found miniature Woolworths products being sold as Christmas tree ornaments in a store
• Each of the tiny grocery item prices left the shopper questioning who would buy them
• South Africans had mixed feelings, with some defending their purchases and others asking why anyone would spend that much
• Briefly News spoke to financial expert Farook Mohammed on consumerism and how people can avoid overspending

A woman in Cape Town who goes by the TikTok handle @_cosmic_girl_x couldn't believe her eyes when she spotted Woolworths selling miniature versions of their grocery items as Christmas decorations. The woman showed tiny ceramic replicas of coffee cups, a whole rotisserie chicken, oranges, 1-litre bottles of milk, cans of tomatoes and other Woolies products on 16 December 2025. Despite how cute the items looked to some, the price tag of around R100 per ornament left the woman stunned.

In the video, she asked who would actually hang the ornaments on their Christmas tree. She shared the clip with the caption:

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"Anything to make a buck," making it clear she wasn't impressed with the retailer's latest festive offering.

The video quickly went viral, with some people commenting, admitting they'd already bought several of the ornaments and were happy with their purchases. Others couldn't understand why anyone would spend that kind of money on miniature food decorations, claiming it was consumerism. A few people compared the prices to similar products at other stores, pointing out that Woolworths wasn't the only retailer jumping on the mini ornament trend.

Speaking to Briefly News writer, Nerissa Naidoo, financial advisor Farook Mohammed discussed what consumerism is and how it is affecting people in South Africa. He stated:

"Consumerism is when we buy more than we need. This is often influenced by advertising, social media and pressure to keep up with certain lifestyles. In South Africa, this has led many people to spend beyond their means, rely heavily on credit, and struggle with debt, especially as the cost of living continues to rise."

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When asked how people can be wary of consumerism so it doesn’t affect their budget, he went on to say:

"To avoid the impact of consumerism, it’s important to budget carefully, prioritise needs over wants, and think long-term before making purchases. Being mindful of spending, avoiding impulse buying, and focusing on savings goals can help protect your finances and keep your budget under control."

South Africans react to Woolies minis

People had plenty to say in the comments on TikToker @_cosmic_girl_x's post:

@fatima_zahra_valli suggested:

"Can't they just do their range of minis and be done with it, because that's what I'll get into."

@cee_dee_ felt:

"I feel Woolworths is getting out of touch with its customers. It feels condescending."

@shurah_jedaar pointed out:

"Saving the planet with the bags that are a non-negotiable 😂😂😂and creating more plastic and junk. Help me understand."

@busigumede_ joked:

"Shouldn't we be getting them for free, after every R1000 purchase 😂"

@olu_business_strategist wondered:

"😂😂Maybe kids will want to play with them???"

@_cosmic_girl_x replied:

"They're ceramic, so they will break very easily in the hands of children."

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@wittnsass complained:

"Guys, Woolies has been price gouging us for the last few years. Every single thing has crept up on all their deals. It doesn't feel worth it. They never address it."

@karenuss2 said:

"They're jealous of checkers and the public's insane craze for the Sixty60 stuff. People are wild to support this 🤔"

@xv.ash.hny admitted:

"I bought 7, and I am happy."

Watch the TikTok clip below:

More on Woolworths in SA

• Briefly News recently reported on a man who lined up old Woolworths black bags and joked they were the original.
• A local content creator went viral after finding a stash of cash in a white Woolworths bag, starting a conversation about the retailer's shopping bags.
• A TikTok video of a Woolworths rainbow cake started a debate when South Africans saw the price tag.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News