Something for Everyone!
Holiday Gift Guide
By Tala Bacouni
‘Tis the season to be extra supportive of local businesses! We bring you here all that you need for the festive season of preparations, from delicious treats to unique gift ideas.
Christmas Treats
Hala’s Treats
Instagram: @halastreats
Hala Jalbout, an avid home baker, has always had a passion for baking a range of goodies and gathering family and friends in her home. In December 2015, she opened Hala’s Treats, which offers patrons sweet (cookies and cakes) and savoury options (salads, sandwiches and quiches), including sugar-free and gluten-free selections. This Christmas, Hala’s Treats are preparing festive goodies and gifts for the holiday season.
Baker & Bloom
Instagram: @bakerandbloom
After graduating from London’s Le Cordon Bleu, Rana Tahboub, founder and baker of Baker and Bloom, established her dessert business in 2018. Baker and Bloom is famous for its custom-made buttercream cakes and edible themed decorations. Cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, tea cakes, tiramisu, and glazed doughnuts are all available at Baker and Bloom.
Chez Hilda
Instagram: @chezhilda
Chez Hilda opened the doors to her patisserie back in 1987. With branches in Sweifieh and Abdali Boulevard, she offers customers a range of French desserts, pastries, chocolates and a selection of savouries. The famous Christmas Cake, or as it’s known: Buche de Noel, is prepared in a range of flavours and designs, along with Christmas cookies and gingerbread cookies.
Cup-o-Cocoa
Instagram: @cup.o.cocoa
A cosy night in requires a delicious cup of hot chocolate! Cup-o-Cocoa, established by Ban Howeidi, is a cocoa bomb bursting with flavour. Every cocoa bomb has a distinct flavour and all are made with Belgian chocolate. Cup-o-Cocoa have prepared a range of flavours for the festive season, including gingerbread, peppermint and salted caramel. Enjoy this fun way to drink your hot chocolate during the winter.
Al Qabas
Instagram: @alqabas.jo
Established in 1977 by Najib Farrah, Al Qabas sells nuts, chocolate, coffee, and a selection of Middle Eastern sweets. The shop, located in the heart of Sweifieh, has many no-sugar-added options like pistachio and date filled chocolate. For marzipan fans, a traditional Christmas dessert in many countries, you’ll find a variety here. Al Qabas is also famous for its nuts, cheese, crackers, dried fruit and chocolate combination boards – something for everyone!
Christmas Cards & Decorations
Karti
Instagram: @karti.jo
No gift is complete without an artistic card with a sweet letter written inside. Zeina Hammoudeh established Karti in September 2020 to offer cards for every occasion, from birthdays to anniversaries, weddings, engagements, graduations, and of course, Christmas. For this season, Karti have a range of colourful and festive Christmas cards and wine bottle gift bags.
Christmas R Us
Instagram: @christmas_r_us
Christmas R Us, established by Sonia Vasilian Haddad in 2017, is an online store of decorative ornaments and festive items. Ornaments come in various colours, shapes and models, from classic red and gold balls to unique wood and porcelain ornaments and sculptures.
Christmas Gifts for Adults
Khuyut
Instagram: @_khuyut_
Gardinia Yaghi founded Khuyut in June 2020 with customised laptop sleeves and business bags with distinct embroidered patterns. The designs can include a name in English or Arabic, random patterns or a particular drawing. Colours and artistic pieces are chosen based on the customer’s desire.
Jeld
Instagram: @jeld.jo
These handcrafted leather items, like wallets and cardholders, are made of vegetable-tanned leather and make practical gifts. Jeld, established in 2017 by architects Ahmad Al Mughrabi and Abeer Nassar, is an authentic leather store located on Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman. Every item is crafted to present an original product.
The Stand Series
Instagram: @the.standseries
The Stand Series, established in September 2020, offer a selection of timeless stand pieces where one can place her or his watch to store conveniently and keep it safe from scratches. The Stand Series’ collection is made of genuine leather and marble.
Wonder Candles
Instagram: @wonder_candles
Anastasia Casey began making candles as a hobby about three years ago. During the 2020 lockdown, she turned her hobby into a business: Wonder Candles. Today, Casey makes about 300 unique soy candles with different scents and themes. These candles, which are also available in elegant packaging, make great gifts for those who enjoy scented candles, practice meditation or decorate their home with candles.
Meraki Arts
Instagram: @merakiarts_jo
Nataly and Rozanne Farah founded Meraki Arts in November 2020 to turn customers’ likes into artistic pieces for canvases, keychains, magnets, mugs and more. During Christmastime, Meraki Arts is also offering handmade String Art Christmas Calender on wood, which can be hung as decoration or for use (you can add your own chocolates or they provide them). You can reuse it every year to celebrate the 25 days leading up to Christmas!
The Joy Jewels
Instagram: @thejoyjewels
A piece of fine jewellery is always a well-received gift. Established by Farah Saheb in 2017, The Joy Jewels have 18k gold jewellery designed for every kind of woman. Every piece has a story, from simple rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to bold statement pieces.
U By Razan
Instagram: @ubyrazan
U by Razan, established by Razan Mufleh, offers customers a selection of jewellery pieces highlighting the importance of believing in yourself and being your own inspiration. The jewellery design that represents the statement, ‘I am greater than my highs and lows’ comes as a bracelet, a ring, and a necklace. U by Razan also focuses on providing customers with self-development products like the kit that helps keep you organised, productive and focused.
Abstract by Deema
Instagram: @abstractbydeema
These contemporary handmade earrings are made by Deema Tabaza from scratch using polymer clay. Abstract by Deema earrings on gold plated ear huggers make unique yet affordable gifts or are a festive addition to any Christmas outfit.
Lulu’s Box
Instagram: @lulus_box
Inspired by the concept of up-cycling, Ellen Kassir Bustami established Lulu’s Box in April 2013. Using a range of plastic and recyclable material, like bottle caps, Ellen designs her products and turns them into trendy pieces (hats to trench coats, shawls and home accessories). Lulu’s Box has prepared miniature Christmas trees crafted from wood and up-cycled ribbon and lace for the holiday season.
Christmas Gifts for Kids & Teens
Dido Dough
Instagram: @didodough
Dido Dough, established in February 2019 by Nadia Saheb, have a collection of playdough made of safe and durable ingredients suitable for children to play with and enjoy. Placemats, cutters, and rollers add extra fun to the playdough experience. Dido Dough has recently prepared Christmas-themed playdough with colours and items unique to the festive season.
Snobar Kids Wear
Instagram: @snobar.kidswear
Inspired to design comfortable, minimalistic and modern clothes for kids, Basma Snobar established Snobar Kids Wear in August 2020. With a mission to provide kids aged 2-7 with comfy clothes, Basma and a team of local tailors and manufacturers design and create unisex T-shirts and trousers that allow children to play freely and give them the freedom to be whoever they want to be.
From the Rack
Instagram: @fromtherackamman
Culture and music have always inspired Joud Abu Shehab, evident in her street style line of T-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants and shorts. She established From the Rack in December 2020 to reflect Jordanian culture and love for music.
The Cake Shop
Instagram: @thecakeshop_company
Dr Sereen Sharabati opened The Cake Shop in 2010 because her passion had always been baking and designing sugar-dough cakes in different flavours. The Cake Shop has several branches across the Kingdom. During Christmas-time, themed sugar cookies, fruit cakes, and other Christmas treats are prominently on display. They also decorate Christmas-themed cakes with the item that placed The Cake Shop on the map – sugar dough.
Saisons
Instagram: @saisons.jo
Twenty-three-year-old baker Haya Mabrouk founded Saisons in 2019. Saisons, which means “seasons” in French, offers a variety of French desserts. From their iconic doughnuts, to their Caramel Brioche Feuilletée and the crowd favourite, the Millefeuille. Saisons are known for their Pecan Cranberry White Chocolate Loaf during the festive season.
You can contact Tala Bacouni at [email protected]
