Worried About What to Gift During Christmas? Worry No More!

posted on: Dec 18, 2019

By: Haneen Abu Al Neel/Arab America Contributing Writer

The Arab world is known to its residents, visitors, and enthusiasts to be a region that fancies celebrations, such as Christmas. We search for any occasion to commemorate. But with more of them, the art of gift giving thrives and the hunt for the best gift starts – sometimes a month before the holiday season begins! The Christian Arab American community is as vibrant as all other religious groups in the larger Arab American population.

So, as Christians outside and inside the Arab world prepare to prepare for Christmas, and everyone prepares to celebrate New Years Eve, here are some gifts that will guarantee to impress and be liked.

1. A Henna Package

Much like many other Eastern cultures, the Arab-Americans value Henna. We use Henna for weddings, hair dye, and sometimes, even skin treatment. This makes it one of the best gifts to a friend who likes a natural dye. Some Henna bundles, which come with extremely nice packaging and containers, can be found below.

2. Arabic Calligraphy Pain-taints

Though often calligraphy paintings and carvings are religious verses, they can be customized to be anything to suit the occasion. Many Arabs believe having religious verses, figures, or symbols on the wall will function as a protection from evil eye and energy, and further bless the home. What better gift to get your Arab American friend than a poem, religious verse, or saying that you believe will mean a lot to them!

3. Fancy Food Containers for Occasions

Because we love to celebrate and love life, we also love having luxurious silver wear, plates, and bowls. Occasions like Henna nights, graduations, birthdays, Eid, Christmas, or simply a family gathering all call for huge amounts of food being served, and it must look very presentable.

4. Portraits that Resemble Home by Iconic Artists

Nothing reminds one of home than the art itself. Iconic artists can portray sentimental cultural messages better than anyone else can. Wonderful gifts that would instill feelings of nostalgia and the good kind of homesickness are portraits or other art pieces by artists like Ismail Shammout’s Olive Tree painting or Tamam Al Akhal’s Palestine painting, two well-known Palestinian artists. In fact, Tamam still lives and paints in Amman, Jordan.

5. Perfumes & Colognes

While the entire Arab region is known to provide luxurious fashion & accessories, perfumes might be one of my favorite products. The Arabian Gulf region, in particular, is known to house many of the traditional strong perfumes and colognes, primarily those with Oud scents. Some of the popular brand names are Roja Parfums, Nasmat, and Afnan. All of these options can be either purchased on Amazon or brought back by a close friend.

6. Backgammon

Throughout the Arab world, card games and board games are a popular pastime. While every Arab and Arab American household might potentially already have one, an additional one would never hurt. Better yet, get it for the Arab American friend who lost theirs or doesn’t have one yet!

7. Arrangement of Nuts and Dried Fruit

Christmas is the season and the reason for family visits and friend gatherings, and there is no better snack than a box of dried fruits and nuts. Arab people everywhere love nuts and consume much of it.

8. Arab Cuisine Book

The cold winter months call for cozy meals! A cook-book is never a more appropriate gift if you have an aspiring Chef friend.

9. Box of Baklava

Arab sweets do not just belong in the Arab world! A gift box of Baklava mixes can be the perfect portable dessert for family members who travel across states to visit family.

10. Za’tar and Zait

Ever wondered where to put the Za’tar and Zeit (Thyme and Olive Oil) when having breakfast or dinner? Wonder no more. This mosaic decorated gift can make your Arab American friend feel right in their home country. If not the containers, the actual Zeit and Zaatar will be appreciated gift because of the taste and health benefits.

11. Coffee & Coffee Cups

Coffee and tea are always a must at every Arab American gathering. A new trend of modern styles coffee cups has been on the rise among younger Arab Americans, which makes this a versatile and multi-generational gift.

There are many more options for gift-giving during the holiday season for Arab Americans around the world, but those listed above are some of the more popular ones and will bring joy and fun memories to those beloved ones who receive them.

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