Welcome to Saudi Arabia, the country of generosity and gift giving. Are you stuck on what to give this year? Perhaps you are tired of browsing international stores and buying the same brands time and again. Local concept stores and gift boutiques are popping up countrywide and bringing customers something new and different. The online boutique saudigiftgallery.com works together with local artists and designers to avail their products in one convenient location and help share the stories behind their work. Here are some of their featured brands and products and the answer to your gift giving needs.
“The Land of ‘Adat” by Alexander Woodman opens the doors of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and invites us to meet the people and embrace their sacred traditions. Informative and vibrant text accompanies the book’s rich photography. The Land of Adat makes the perfect coffee table book, a substantial addition to your library, or a memorable executive gift. 500 SAR
Mayassem luxury, handcrafted soaps are made here in Riyadh using nourishing and local ingredients like camel milk. Your skin will love the soap’s natural oils such as olive oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter in addition to essential oils and fragrance oils. 70 SAR
ShaMOUaee products delight with all natural oils and a splash of Arabian elements. This Saudi enterprise sprung from the founder’s own search for healthy and environmentally-friendly soy wax candles. The Taif Rose candle is an exotic mix of rose oil and white musk. Taif, a city in the Mecca Province of southwest Saudi Arabia, is home to a famous 30-petal rose and this rose oil can be found in some of the most luxurious, designer perfumes in the world. Large size, 112 SAR
Nouq Designs was started by Noura Bin Saeed in 2019. Her new brand features handmade clutches, pouches, bags, and bracelets with a cultural flair. The Sadu Clutch is part of G20 Collection. Sadu describes an embroidery of geometrical shapes hand-woven by Bedouin people. It’s one of the oldest and most popular Saudi patterns and the inspiration behind this line. 200 SAR
Keramos specializes in Saudi hand-made ceramics that reflect Islamic art and Saudi heritage. This trademark, founded and managed by Morooj Al Shatri, has won many awards in KSA and internationally. Starting from 120 SAR
The Inspired by Arabia brand is inspired by the rich cultural heritage, architecture and nature of the Arabian peninsula. The brand was founded by Laura Ahlo of blueabaya.com. Laura’s photographs tell a Saudi story of their own, and these images are the cornerstone of Inspired by Arabia. The Saudi Steel Door was photographed in the Balad district of Jeddah, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 70cm x 50cm Stretched Canvas, 545 SAR
Smuug strives to unify through creativity. Founded by Brandie Janow in 2014, Smuug Designs illustrates everyday Saudi symbols and characteristics in hopes of sharing the beauty of the Kingdom with the world. The Qahwa Pin is inspired by Arabic coffee which is integral to Arab Hospitality and a symbol of generosity. 75 SAR
Halla’s World is a collection of children’s books, stationary, notebooks, and gifts by renowned Saudi children’s author, illustrator, designer, and fine artist, Halla bint Khalid. The Ostrich Moleskin notebook by Halla’s World is inspired by the now extinct Arabian Ostrich, that lived in the Narjan region and appears in Saudi Arabian petroglyphs. 105 SAR
Muse Rawan was launched in 2016 by Saudi jewelry and fashion designer Rawan Al-Sehli. The brand tells the stories behind the ancient monuments and archaeological wonders of Saudi Arabia. The Labeed collection, a collaboration between Muse Rawan and Moath Alofi, features an Old South Arabian script used for writing a group of closely-related Semitic languages, all of which are now extinct. The script was used throughout the Arabian peninsula between the 6th and the 8th centuries AD, after which it was replaced by Arabic writing. Musnad Pendant necklace, 18ct Gold, 1600 SAR.
Art of Heritage promotes Saudi heritage through high quality and handcrafted pottery, garments, and cultural gift items. The Riyadh-based organization began nearly 30 years ago as part of Al Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women. To this day, the group trains differently-abled Saudi women to work as handicraft artisans. Set of handcrafted Arabic coffee cups, 650 SAR
Available at www.saudigiftgallery.com
