COOL SAUDI MEN'S GIFTS

Gift set - watch, pen, cufflinks, prayer beads

Watch with Hindu numerals, the numbers used in Saudi Arabia.  Surprisingly enough, the numbers invented by the Arabs are used in the USA, and not in Saudi Arabia.

Another gift set in blue

 

Saudi Arabia Souvenirs

Figurines replicating life in Saudi Arabia

Roshan - the wood latticed window coverings typical of this region

 LINKING TO - SOUVENIRS

Jeddah Salesclerk

A cheerful, friendly and helpful clerk in a wonderful shop in Jeddah that sells coffee and dates, among other things.  I took dates from this shop back to the US with me as gifts, and everyone was wild for them - they were absolutely delicious.  There is a much wider variety of scrumptious dates here in the kingdom than can be found in the US.

Busy Little Shop in Madinah

Many customers pack the inside of this little shop in Madinah, while several children and a man in a wheelchair wait patiently outside.

Our World - Saudi Arabia Mini Teacups

Saudis drink a lot of tea - and a lot of coffee too.  Tea is usually offered to guests in miniature glass tea cups, that may or may not have a handle.  Most often the teacups are fancifully decorated, many times with gold accents.

I love the teacups above decorated with Arabic writing in gold.  I've bought these teacups before and given them as gifts.  They are usually sold in sets but sometimes can be bought individually.

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Our World - Saudi Style Serving

Hi Y'all!  I can't believe I have taken such a long break this year.  I recently returned to Saudi Arabia after spending a very busy summer in the USA.  Did you miss me?

This photo is of a gift I received from my husband's lovely sister.  It is a large platter shaped basket (about 2 feet across), covered with the red and white checkered scarf that Saudi men wear.  The smaller accompanying cups are made to be little Saudi characters holding baskets.  Handicrafts such as this are becoming very popular and more commonly found. I love finding things like this to take back to my family and friends as souvenirs.

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CDP Theme Day: Gift

Traveling back and forth between Saudi Arabia and the USA frequently, I like to bring gifts from one place to another for various family members and friends.  I was very surprised when I found this Obama cologne in 2016 in a shop in Jeddah, so I bought a few to take as gifts back to the states the next time I went.  It's not exactly what one might expect to find on a store shelf in Saudi Arabia. 

City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers that share images of life in their cities around the world.  The first of every month is Theme Day for City Daily Photo bloggers.  This month's theme is "Gift."

Please visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day.

Jeddah: Kalimah Brand

I always look for Saudi gifts with Arabic calligraphic script on them, like this scarf from Kalimah Brand.  

Our World: Edible Accessories

Saudis like their sweets and I am constantly amazed by the sheer number of sweets retailers here in Saudi Arabia.  The pretty blue purse above is actually completely edible ...

... and so are these charming high heels!  These are some of the amazing offerings at Bon Bon Pastry and Chocolate, located in the Stars Avenue Mall in Jeddah. 

 


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Yummy Looking Treats at BonBon

There are tons of confection businesses in Jeddah.  Many higher end sweets shops carry signature pieces that are works of art.

Bon Bon Pastry and Chocolate is located in the Stars Avenue Mall in Jeddah. 

CDP Theme Day: Stylish

Kalimah Brand is a shop in the Red Sea Mall which offers very stylish Arab inspired clothing.  Their window displays are quite catchy.  I love to buy gifts for friends and family back home from this shop. 

Our World: Handmade Saudi Gifts

It's difficult finding handmade souvenirs in Saudi Arabia.  But I am happy to report that it's getting easier.  The smaller items pictured here are Saudi-made soft keychains.  The larger soft dolls are about 9" tall and they can also be used as pencils cases when unzipped and the stuffing removed.  I bought these at Aseil Restaurant on Sultan and Rawdah in Jeddah, but they may be available for sale at other places. I also purchased a little purse made of natural palm leaves and sadu fabric. These products are handmade by Saudi women for an organization called Liyano, dedicated to propagating Saudi heritage.  It supports charities and provides job opportunities for Saudi women. 

Follow them on Instagram at:  saudigifts
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#saudigifts  #liyano  #KSA  #Jeddah  #heritage  #Saudi  #souvenirs  #gifts

Goodies Display

In addition to being a fabulous restaurant, Goodies at the Stars Avenue Mall in Jeddah also has a terrific gourmet gift section. 

Mall Gift Shop Window Display

This is an attractive window display of a gift shop in a mall in Jeddah.  Among other things, the shop sells traditional vessels for teas and coffees.

Typical Saudi Teacup Set

Saudis are very gracious hosts and delight in serving drinks and sweets to house guests.  Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Saudi Arabia, so drinks served range from the largest variety of fruit juices one could imagine to tea or gahwa (Arabic coffee).  Hot drinks would be served in tiny glasses like shown here.  This teacup set cost 302 SR, or about $ 80 US. 

White Camel Table Base

I saw this ceramic table base in a gift shop here in Jeddah and I thought it was cute.  It is a white decorated camel and would make a nice end table if equipped with a piece of glass on top.  I'm not sure if the glass is included or not, but the price on the camel is 1195 SR, which is about $ 320 US.

Souq for Dates

The selection of dates here in the Kingdom is absolutely amazing. They range from soft and mushy to hard as a rock, from a golden yellow color to reddish to all shades of brown and even black. Some varieties are grown in Saudi Arabia's fertile regions. Dates are a popular staple in the Arab diet and play a prominent role during Ramadan, when many Muslims break their daily fast with dates and buttermilk. Dates are often given as gifts and are also an ingredient in many popular recipes for sweets and desserts.

Beautiful Chocolate and Gift Shop

Al-Nukaly is a chain of beautiful chocolate shops here in Jeddah. Gifts of chocolate platters or baskets are very popular for holidays or special occasions.

My only complaint is that dark chocolate is much harder to find in shops like these because most Saudis seem to prefer milk chocolate.