⭐ The Lebanese Holiday Gift Guide 2025 ⭐
10 local gifts for under $50
For the last two years, I’ve thought about compiling a holiday gift guide that focuses on local brands that I like but then I delete it because I feel like I’m pushing for more consumerism/distraction while the world is on fire. This year, I’m hitting PUBLISH.
The truth is, even when I’m not shopping, I love scrolling through gift guides because I like to see what’s trending, what’s new, and what’s beautifully designed. A lot of the guides online are U.S.-focused though and I want to encourage slow, thoughtful trades of love in Lebanon too. We need it. Supporting local creators and businesses is an added bonus. There’s no need to ship stuff from abroad and pay insane duties and you don’t need to ask an expat friend to courier something through airport security. And if you’re the one who’s abroad this holiday season, there are some options below that you can use to send gifts to your favorite humans here.
Here’s a list of 10 locally-sourced gifts for under $50 + honorable mentions at the end.
I get nothing from the below brands, I just want to support them because I’m a fan. I have bought *most* of these things and if I haven’t, they are on my wishlist (for me) or giftlist (for others). The only affiliate links are those connected to Bookshop.org :)
Mariam upcycles wine, liquor, and beer bottles and turns them into candles, snack bowls, and trays. I especially love the melted-flat beer bottles in the photo above that can be serving plates or catch-all trays and paired with other small goodies (snacks, jewelry, stationery). You can view and order her products via IG or message her for custom-made designs.
My go-to gift for the last few years has been framed photos - either ones that I’ve rediscovered (from an old, forgotten album) or ones I’ve taken with my film camera. Maison Pavijo is a new local service where you can upload your photos and choose a frame type and size. They will print, frame, and deliver to your door. They don’t have a lot of size options yet (largest is 30 x 40 cm) and I love supporting small framers around the city but they’re currently updating their website so this is the convenience and price-point we’ve all been waiting for. You can order via IG in the meantime.
As a WFH gal, my laptop & I spend a lot of time camped out at both of Kalei’s Beirut locations so this is a practical gift for anyone else who does the same or needs an excuse to leave the house. Even those who don’t partake in the unofficial co-working space (the back room or communal table in Ras Beirut) will appreciate a coffee, a keshek & feta saj, and a sweet treat.
Kaph Books’ kids’ series is all about icons of the region. Heroes highlighted are writer Mahmoud Darwiche, singer Oum Kulthoum, artist Saloua Raouda Choucair, and footballer Mo Salah. They’re available at Sursock Museum Store and Antoine.
⭐ For more ideas, here’s my Auntie Fifi Approved list of books for kiddos (ages 0-4).
I’m very excited to finally see this issue in the flesh. It’s been in the works for a very long time (almost a year) but I haven’t seen any of the final spreads. I have an essay in this issue and I’m joined by a lot of friends (N.A. Mansour, Tamara Saade, Rami El Sabban, Hisham Assaad, and MORE) who I’ve featured/collaborated with in the past! It’s a special print issue with the cover shot by another friend, Rabab Chamseddine.
“Food is the way many of us first learn about care. We are taught that sharing a meal amongst family and friends is sacred. We also come to know that hunger is not always about sustenance, and that nourishment often arrives as a form of love, generosity, resistance, or even mourning. This issue is an invitation to reflect on what our inherited recipes and practices carry beyond ingredients and techniques. It is also a testament to how food sustains not just bodies, but histories and hopes.” - Al-Rawiya team
⭐ Here’s a list of books about food that I want to read.
A food basket of some of the flavors we carry - various
Pick out some of your favorite preserves, cheese, and a bottle of wine. I’m a big fan of Kanafar sundried tomatoes in oil, Cafe Younes Marjeiouni blend, and Taqa’s new flavored crackers made from almond and chickpea flours (which are being sold as festive bundles!). Also, Darmmess just launched five terroirs of olive oil from the South. Pop ‘em all in a cute basket (or pair with a snack tray from Marazal) and you’re set.
⭐ LeVain, the new wine bar by 209, has a lot of wine-tasting activities and holiday goodies planned including $50 gift vouchers for the boutique.
⭐ Chateau Ksara sells their bottlings with customizable front or back labels for an extra $3 so you can get a personalized gift for as little as $8. Lead time is two weeks though.
910papers is the only place I know of in Lebanon where you can get Blackwing pencils and MUJI pens. If you have a stationery lover in your life, they’d probably love one of their bundles or simply a pack of 10 MUJI ballpoint pens.
⭐ Pro-tips: They’ve got a collection of holiday gift wrap available now. Also, you can buy a single Blackwing, you don’t need to get the whole pack!
This is one of my favorite Lebanese brands. I have a couple of their bags and I’ve gifted lots of their stuff like this hat for my mom who’s always gardening in the sun, this wallet for my brother-in-law before he traveled to the card-focused U.S., and this toiletry bag for my friend who loves camping. I know it’s a favorite among Lebanon’s hiking crowd. Their website is excellent but they also have a physical shop in Antelias.
Inspired by the Vape coils that we all willingly poison/ed ourselves with to avoid mosquito bites, a set of two powder-coated cast iron coasters take me back to summer nights at my grandparents’ house. They also have a larger version sold as a trivet for $45.
Attar Dragée (pronounced dra-jeh) is a family business that’s been around since 1926. I’ve been following their page for a while and I finally dropped by their new retail shop to check out the holiday packages and get an advent calendar for my friend. Their shop hasn’t been there long (opened in May of this year) and it’s a little tucked away in Beirut’s downtown area: it’s in the alley next to Samer Halimeh at the end of Foch Street, just behind/before Opera Gallery and what’s left of the Beirut Crusader castle.
Honorable Mentions
Dar Onboz has a lot of their published works on sale at Kalei Ras Beirut - you’re bound to find a sweet gift in the Carton cubby there.
Malfoof launched their website recently so you can now send a snazzy holiday wreath to someone special with just a couple clicks.
Pause Memories turns your photos into square fridge magnets. They’re on special right now so 18 photo magnets are going for $22 (normally $50!). Last year, I got photos of my new nephew made to give to the whole family.
Ya Gamil Ya Gamil’s annual Christmas event - various: This would’ve been my 3rd year in a row visiting Muriel’s treasure trove but she told me she’s got a pop-up planned for this year on Dec 11th till the 14th. Regardless of the format, I always find small, special gifts in her collection.
Laptop sleeve from Creative Space Beirut - $40: I have the fairy puff one and, after Penny puked her breakfast kibble on it, I was very grateful for its waterproof puffer fabric. Your purchase supports Beirut’s free fashion school.
The shelves at Cafe Amor: My sister got me a tomato lamp last year (after I subtly texted her the IG post with “I want this”) and it’s been excellent mood lighting for movie nights.
Marche Aux Puces is having a Christmas flea market at Union Marks (December 4-7, 12pm - 10pm)
Quaint Attic is selling handmade wooden crates for your vinyls for $30. They’re made from salvaged wood and hold 30 records. You can also shop for secondhand clothing, CDs, tapes, and other various items on their website.
Archif is a new, online secondhand shop where you can buy and sell clothing, shoes, and accessories. No fast-fashion brands allowed. They’ve got a Black Friday sale going until December 3rd.
Ceramic Kanvas just opened in Mar Mikhael. You get a 2-hour time slot to paint a ceramic of your choice (and corresponding price). They’ll fire your piece in the kiln and have it ready for pick-up around a week later. Your item could be a cute gift or you could gift the activity itself (average spend is $35 per person). Book here.
Cinematheque, the cinema library at Metropolis, sells various books and DVDs about Arab film and culture. Check out my list of books on Lebanon and my list of various other books I’ve read and recommend.
I have so many jars and bottles stashed from sauces and whatnot that even after repurposing for pantry items, I get to the point where I need to turn them into a gifting project. Bake something, put it in upcycled jars, and add lots of ribbon!
Gift an annual subscription to Aanab News :) it’s 30% off until December 1st using this link!
This was so lovely to learn about all the gorgeous design and variety of local businesses in Lebanon! Thank you for sharing
LOVE. Flying to Lebanon for Christmas— this is the guide I needed this year❣️