Ethical Christmas Gift Guide: Our Picks from Handmade Palestine and Some of Our Favorite Brands!

As the holiday season nears, many of us are searching for gifts that bring joy while aligning with our values. This year let’s give gifts that not only make our loved ones happy but also make a positive difference—supporting Palestinian artisans and taking care of our planet. We proud to bring you a curated selection of ethically crafted goods created by our very talented artisans that carry stories of resilience and cultural heritage.

We’ve also highlighted our top five favorite Palestinian brands, offering cool and stylish gifts perfect for your holiday shopping.

Here’s a look at some of our favorite ethical holiday gifts for 2024!

Sustainable Olive Wood Creations

Olive wood, with its beautiful grain and rich natural history, is sustainably harvested from carefully pruned trees, making it an eco-friendly choice. Our artisans use this wood to create timeless kitchen items, decorations, and keepsakes.

• Olive Wood Kitchen Set: Perfect for any home chef, this luxurious set offers elegance and functionality, and it can even be custom curated from our wide selection of trays, spoons, and serving utensils.

• Why not add on our Natural Cold-Pressed Olive Oil from Jenin: This extra virgin olive oil, sourced directly from Jenin, embodies centuries of Palestinian heritage and stewardship of the land. Cold-pressed to preserve its rich aromas and complex flavors, it makes a perfect accompaniment to delicate dishes.

• Olive Wood Ma’Amoura Cookie Press: Celebrate the festivities by making traditional Palestinian ka’ak ma’amoul cookies at home with these beautifully crafted olive wood biscuit cutters.

• Handcrafted and Handmade Nativity Sets: These nativity sets are carved by artisans from Bethlehem whose skills and dedication make each piece a unique labor of love. By gifting these, you’re supporting Palestinian artists and preserving cultural traditions.

Handcrafted Baby Gifts for a First Christmas

Celebrate a baby’s first Christmas with thoughtful, artisan-made gifts that are safe, sustainable, and beautifully crafted.

• Felted Wool Nativity Set: A soft, tactile way to introduce little ones to the nativity story. Each wool figure is handmade with love by skilled artisans, making it a keepsake for years to come.

• Baby Teething Rings: These rings are crafted from all-natural wood, free from harmful chemicals, and safe for babies. Hand-beaded and crocheted by women from Deir Ghassanah, each teething ring supports fair wages and reflects a dedication to safety and sustainability.

 

Recycled Thread Crafts: Art with a Purpose

• Waste Thread Tatreez Pouch: Crafted by the women’s cooperative Manjel Ma'qoud, transforms leftover threads into something vibrant and meaningful. Featuring traditional Palestinian tatreez embroidery, this pouch is a beautiful blend of cultural artistry and sustainable design. By choosing this unique piece, you’re empowering talented Palestinian women with fair wages and supporting waste-reducing art that celebrates heritage and environmental responsibility.

 

Ethical Jewelry Collection

For a truly meaningful gift, our jewelry collection offers beautiful, handcrafted pieces that reflect the spirit of Palestine.

• Gaza Strawberry Earrings: These handcrafted brass earrings are made just outside Jerusalem with the imagery of Gaza’s strawberries—a symbol of strength and artistry.

• Olive Leaf Jewelry (Sterling Silver): Using actual leaves from Roman olive trees, each one-of-a-kind piece is crafted by artisans in the old city of Bethlehem. This collection includes rings, necklaces, and earrings, all paying homage to Palestine’s natural landscape.

• Tatreez on Brass Earrings: These earrings showcase vibrant red tatreez embroidery on fabric, set in brass. Each piece takes two hours to meticulously carve and stitch, symbolizing the strength and resilience of Palestinian women and honoring their rich cultural heritage.

 

Tatreez Collection: Embroidery with Heritage

Each item in our tatreez collection features the rich, intricate embroidery tradition of Palestine, supporting artisans and preserving cultural heritage.

• Christmas Stocking: These festive stockings are crafted with Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery, ‘tatreez’, which is a handcraft deeply rooted in Palestine’s history and culture.

• Festive Coasters: Bring the festive spirit to your table with these hand-embroidered coasters from Manjel Ma’qoud, a women’s embroidery project. Each set includes four beautifully crafted coasters.

• Shawls: Embroidered by artisans in Hebron and other regions, these shawls combine warmth with traditional Palestinian pattern.

Felted Wool Gifts: Cozy, Handmade, and Earth-Friendly

Our felted wool crafts make charming, eco-conscious gifts and they are all crafted by very special folks with special needs in Bethlehem. These soft, handmade items add warmth and joy to holiday décor and make for thoughtful, lasting keepsakes.

• Felted Wool Animal Ornaments: Perfect as holiday decorations or year-round mementos, these handcrafted ornaments are made from renewable wool. They’re ideal for the eco-conscious, and each one reflects the care and artistry of its maker.

• Felted Gnomes: These charming Christmas gnomes, available in two sizes, are handmade from local wool by shepherdesses and artisans with special needs. Each gnome helps support their livelihoods and makes a thoughtful gift to brighten holiday décor for little ones.

Gifts That Give Back to the Makers

Choosing gifts from Handmade Palestine means supporting a fairer economy and empowering Palestinian artisans with sustainable work opportunities. Each purchase directly benefits the makers, allowing them to preserve their craft, support their families, and overcome economic hardships. Our artisans—from olive wood carvers and silversmiths to tatreez embroiderers—are at the heart of what we do.

Explore our Ethical Holiday Gift Collection here: Handmade Palestine Holiday Gifts

Our Favorite Palestinian Brands for Great Christmas Gifts

This holiday season, explore these incredible Palestinian brands that combine style, meaning, and craftsmanship to create perfect gifts for everyone on your list.

1. Palestinian Hustle
   This father-daughter-led brand offers stylish pieces like graphic tees, hoodies, and curated Christmas boxes celebrating Palestinian heritage. Each item carries a message of resilience, making it a thoughtful and meaningful choice for holiday gifting.

2. Nöl Collective
   Known for its artistic and thoughtful approach to slow fashion, Nöl Collective creates timeless pieces that reflect Palestinian identity and storytelling. Their designs go beyond clothing, embodying the values of sustainability and cultural pride.

3. Watan
   Based in Jordan, Watan specializes in products that blend contemporary design with cultural inspiration. From home goods to fashion accessories, their creations are a nod to Palestinian heritage while appealing to modern tastes.

4. KUVRD
   KUVRD is the go-to brand for high-quality, versatile headwear with a cultural twist. Their signature keffiyehs are reimagined in fresh, stylish designs, making them a must-have accessory for anyone who loves a fusion of tradition and modernity.

5. Suzy Tamimi
   For streetwear that tells a story, Suzy Tamimi’s creations are unmatched. Her amazing designs often incorporate traditional Palestinian motifs, making each piece a wearable work of art that’s perfect for gifting.

Happy Giving from all of us at Handmade Palestine!