Loading ...Celebrate the Season with the Spirit of Arab Heritage: Top 10 Gift Ideas
By: Nissrine Bedda / Arab America Contributing Writer
From all of us at Arab America, we’re thrilled to bring you our handpicked gift guide: The Top Ten Perfect Arab-Inspired Finds for the Season of Giving! Whether it’s an elegant thobe, a bold Palestinian hoodie, or a beautifully crafted mate tea cup, this list spotlights amazing pro-Palestinian businesses that have something special for everyone. This holiday season, celebrate your loved ones while supporting small businesses that make a difference. Explore the treasures below and give a gift that tells a story!
1. Paliroots
Paliroots, founded in San Diego, California, is the brainchild of Palestinian siblings Aminah and Hussein Musa. Through their unique streetwear designs, they celebrate and share their Palestinian heritage. The brand has gained significant recognition, with fans including celebrities like Bella Hadid. For the Arab community, Paliroots represents a source of pride, showcasing the creativity and resilience of Palestinian culture. Their clothing serves as both a tribute to heritage and a platform for educating others about Palestinian identity and history. This holiday season, consider gifting a hoodie, cap, or keffiyeh to yourself or a loved one.
2. Wear the Peace
Wear the Peace, a brand founded in 2016, has an inspiring mission statement including “to contribute in creating a world that does not face the issues that it does today. A future where people go through a daily struggle to get food and clean drinking water becomes nonexistent. Where families living in war zones become a thing of the past. We’ve compiled a list of trusted 501(c)(3) charities that are helping different causes around the world.” From crewnecks to pins to jewelry, you will not want to miss out on the ultimate finds that pay back to your Arab roots through this brand, while also making a difference back home! Wear brands that make you do good, while also looking good! Check out Wear the Peace here!
3. Gaucho Life
Gaucho Life, If you’re Syrian or South American, you might be familiar with the famous Yerba Mate, a plant native to Argentina. Its dried leaves are prepared in a unique way to create a popular beverage. Yerba Mate is known for its health benefits, including providing natural energy, supporting the immune system, and boosting mood. If you have a friend that loves mate as much as we do and may be in need of a new mate cup, thermos, or bombilla, it may be time to pick one up!
4. Nominal
Looking for the perfect gift for a loved one who adores jewelry or a friend who dreams of a personalized necklace? Look no further than Nominal—your ultimate destination for stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces. From elegant earrings to necklaces customized with the map of your home country—be it Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, or Morocco—Nominal offers a curated selection of unique designs. These exquisite jewelry pieces not only add a touch of elegance but also spark conversations. Get ready for compliments like, “Where did you find that bracelet? I have to get one!”
5. Jinane Ennasri
If you’ve recently traveled to Morocco, are from Morocco, or simply love the kingdom as much as we do, look no further than photographs curated by the one and only Jinane Ennasri, a Taza-born photographer that captures the true feeling of being back home in the bled through her pieces. Live From Morocco, which debuted on September 1st, takes readers to the Moroccan cities of Tangier, Fes, Oujda, Berkane, Al Hoceima, and Taza. Shooting and collecting photographs since 2016 for this momentous project, Jinane presents never-before-seen film photographs as a gift to the Northern region of Morocco and to the world. Get a piece of Morocco for your living room area today and honor the Moroccan lineage from miles away!
6. Ya Habibi Market
Ya Habibi Market is a global collective of multidisciplinary MENA creatives, artists, and designers united by a shared passion for celebrating Arab heritage. With a graphic-driven approach, they craft unique products that honor their cultural roots while giving back to their communities. This one-stop shop for Arab streetwear blends vintage charm with modern flair, offering a nostalgic touch that instantly transports you back to the balad. From eye-catching prints and artisanal soaps to bold graphic tees, their collection is a must-see this holiday season. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of this vibrant and meaningful artistry!
7. Tatreez and Tea
Tatreez and Tea, also known as Tatreez & Tea, the Tatreez Institute (TI) was founded by Wafa Ghnaim in 2016 to support the preservation, documentation and research of Palestinian, Syrian and Jordanian embroidery, history and dressmaking traditions in the diaspora. The TI is dedicated to preserving intangible cultural heritage and preventing cultural erasure, stewarding a collection of over 180 traditional dresses and headdresses from the region that were rescued from dumpsters, estates, households, and vintage shops around the world. Book an e-course today for a close friend, family member, significant other, or treat yourself to the subtle art of Tatreez to honor the Palestinian people and their beautiful embroidery through the art of storytelling.
8. Bled
Bled was born out of a necessity to record, visualize and tell authentic stories through cultural icons. Like many third culture kids we were raised in a country vastly different from the culture we experienced at home, which was also different from the one we experience in our motherland. Rep’ Morocco and its traditional clothing with a bit of flare by purchasing one of their pieces today!
9. Veiled Collection
Veiled Collection is the ultimate destination for your hijabi friends! Offering a wide range of modal hijab styles, their collection is not only unique but also bursting with vibrant colors and inspiring designs. Each piece is crafted to make you feel empowered and confident, perfectly complementing your stylish outfits all year round.
10. Native Threads
Native Threads, offers a range of unique pieces specializing in partnerships with Middle Eastern artists and charities, they are dedicated to supporting impactful causes within local communities. In the past, they have designed garments to raise funds for Gaza, celebrate International Women’s Day, and advocate for human rights campaigns.
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