V&A Waterfront Is Hiring 16 Festive Season Gift Wrappers for 2026 – Apply Now!

The V&A Waterfront invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for 16 Festive Season Gift Wrapper positions for the 2026 festive season. This is an opportunity for young South Africans who enjoy working with people, have a creative side and would like to gain valuable experience in customer service, retail and hospitality. Successful applicants will help customers wrap their gifts while creating a welcoming and enjoyable shopping experience during the busy festive period. Applicants must be South African citizens between the ages of 18 and 25. The successful candidates must be available to work from 11 to 24 December 2026.

The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Many visitors come to the shopping centre to buy gifts for their families, friends and loved ones. To make their shopping experience even more special, the V&A Waterfront is looking for friendly and creative people to join its festive gift-wrapping team.

A total of 16 positions are available. If you enjoy helping customers, can communicate well in English and have an eye for detail, this opportunity could be worth considering.

Previous gift-wrapping or retail experience is an advantage, but it is not compulsory. This means that applicants who have never worked as professional gift wrappers can still apply if they meet the other requirements.

V&A Waterfront Festive Season Gift Wrapper Job Details

Here are the important details applicants should know before submitting their applications.

Job Information	Details
Company	V&A Waterfront
Job Title	Festive Season Gift Wrapper
Number of Positions	16
Location	V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Employment Type	Festive Season / Temporary
Age Requirement	18–25 years
Citizenship	South African
Language	English
Previous Experience	Advantageous but not essential
Working Dates	11–24 December 2026
Working Hours	Shifts between approximately 09:00 and 22:00
Closing Date	Not specified

What Is the V&A Waterfront Gift Wrapper Job About?

The V&A Waterfront is looking for people who can help make the festive shopping experience more enjoyable for its visitors.

As a Gift Wrapper, your main responsibility will be to wrap and decorate gifts purchased by customers. You will use the festive season wrapping materials provided by the company to make sure that every gift looks neat, attractive and ready to be given to someone special.

However, the job is not only about wrapping presents. You will also interact with customers, answer basic questions, process payments and help maintain a clean and organised workstation.

Customer service is an important part of this position. You will meet different people every day, so you must be friendly, approachable and willing to assist customers whenever they need help.

The company wants people who can work well under pressure, especially during busy shopping hours when many customers may need assistance at the same time.

Duties and Responsibilities

Successful applicants will be expected to perform different tasks during their shifts.

Some of the main responsibilities include:

• Welcoming customers: Greet visitors warmly and make them feel comfortable when they approach the gift-wrapping station.
• Wrapping gifts: Professionally wrap and decorate purchased items using the festive season wrapping materials provided.
• Preparing attractive gifts: Make sure every wrapped gift looks neat, beautiful and presentable.
• Providing customer service: Assist customers in a friendly and professional manner throughout their visit.
• Processing payments: Handle customer payments accurately and follow the correct payment procedures.
• Maintaining cleanliness: Keep the gift-wrapping workstation clean, tidy and organised.
• Working with colleagues: Cooperate with other Gift Wrappers and members of the Customer Experience team.
• Assisting visitors: Provide basic information and help visitors whenever necessary.
• Creating a festive atmosphere: Help make the V&A Waterfront a welcoming and enjoyable place for shoppers during the festive season.

These duties require someone who enjoys interacting with people and can pay attention to small details while completing tasks.

V&A Waterfront Gift Wrapper Requirements

Before applying, make sure that you meet the requirements for this opportunity.

The V&A Waterfront is looking for applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Must be a South African citizen.
• Must be between 18 and 25 years old.
• Must be available to work during the festive season.
• Must be available to work from 11 to 24 December 2026.
• Must be willing to work weekends and public holidays.
• Must have reliable transport to and from the V&A Waterfront.
• Must be available to work shifts between approximately 09:00 and 22:00.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English.
• Must have basic mathematical and administrative skills.

Applicants should also be friendly, confident, reliable and comfortable speaking to different types of customers.

Is Previous Work Experience Required?

Previous gift-wrapping or retail experience will be an advantage, but it is not essential.

This is good news for young people who are looking for an opportunity to gain work experience, including those who have never worked in a retail or customer service environment before.

If you have experience helping customers, handling payments, working in a shop or wrapping gifts, you can mention this in your application.

However, the most important things are meeting the stated requirements, being willing to learn and having the right attitude towards customers.

Working Hours and Availability

Applicants must understand that this is a festive season opportunity with specific working dates.

Successful candidates must be available to work between 11 December and 24 December 2026.

Working shifts will take place between approximately 09:00 and 22:00. This means that employees may be required to work different shifts depending on the needs of the business.

You must also be willing to work weekends and public holidays during this period.

Reliable transport is another important requirement. Since shifts may end as late as 22:00, applicants should make sure they have a safe and dependable way of travelling to and from the V&A Waterfront.

If you are unable to work during the stated dates or cannot arrange reliable transport, this position may not be suitable for you.

What Does the V&A Waterfront Offer?

Being selected for this opportunity will allow you to become part of one of the V&A Waterfront’s popular festive season activities.

The company offers successful candidates:

• An opportunity to work as part of a well-known festive season activation.
• Experience in a busy and energetic working environment.
• An opportunity to interact with thousands of visitors.
• Valuable experience in customer service, retail, hospitality and visitor experience.
• An opportunity to contribute to a festive initiative that supports meaningful social impact.

This experience could also help young people who want to build careers in retail, hospitality or customer service.

Working directly with customers can help you develop communication skills, learn how to handle different situations and understand how businesses serve their customers.

V&A Waterfront Recruitment and Selection Process

Applicants should be aware that submitting an application does not automatically mean they will be selected.

The recruitment process will include an assessment for shortlisted candidates.

According to the vacancy information, shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in:

1. Video interview: Candidates will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and answer questions about their suitability for the position.
2. Practical gift-wrapping assessment: Applicants will be assessed on their ability to wrap and present gifts.

The practical assessment is important because the successful candidates will be expected to wrap gifts neatly and professionally.

If you are invited to the assessment, practise wrapping different-sized gifts beforehand. Pay attention to neat folds, clean edges and the overall appearance of the finished gift.

How to Apply for the V&A Waterfront Festive Season Gift Wrapper Positions

Young South Africans who meet the requirements and are interested in joining the festive team are encouraged to submit their applications.

When preparing your application, make sure that your information is correct and that your contact details are up to date.

Your application should clearly show that you meet the age, citizenship and availability requirements.

If you have previous experience in retail, customer service, hospitality or gift wrapping, include it in your application.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and invited to take part in a video interview and practical gift-wrapping assessment.

Application: Submit your application through the V&A Waterfront’s official recruitment application process.

Employment Equity

The V&A Waterfront is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and fair workplace.

Recruitment for these positions will take place in line with the company’s Employment Equity requirements and applicable legislation.

This means that the recruitment process will follow the company’s commitment to creating equal opportunities and a workplace where people from different backgrounds are welcomed.

Important Things to Remember Before Applying

With 16 positions available, young people interested in gaining festive season work experience should take note of the following:

• You must be a South African citizen.
• You must be between 18 and 25 years old.
• You must be available from 11 to 24 December 2026.
• You must be willing to work weekends and public holidays.
• You must have reliable transport.
• You must be comfortable working shifts between approximately 09:00 and 22:00.
• Previous gift-wrapping or retail experience is helpful but not compulsory.

The closing date has not been provided in the available vacancy information. Interested applicants should therefore check the official V&A Waterfront recruitment platform and submit their applications as soon as possible.

With 16 festive season positions available, this could be a good opportunity to gain practical work experience while helping shoppers make their Christmas gifts extra special.