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    28 Things From Southwest Asian And North African Small Businesses To Check Out For Gift-Giving Season

    Southwest Asia North Africa (SWANA) is another term for the Middle East.

    Hey! While we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are tricky and can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. Shop early and be sure to double-check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for the 25th!

    1. An artsy evil eye mug so they can start their day off right. The "evil eye" is commonly believed to protect against negativity and ill will – so basically you and your loved ones can never have too many evil eye items in your homes!

    Three mugs stacked on each other covered in evil eyes of various sizes
    Mojaber / Etsy

    This mug is made of porcelain and is 3.5 inches wide.

    Shipping info: Shipping estimates depend on location of destination, but range from 2–14 days.

    Mojaber is a family-owned business based in San Diego, California.

    Get it from Mojaber on Etsy for $19.99.

    2. Or an ADORABLE and super unique evil eye candle to brighten their living space and keep bad luck away.

    Thee lit evil eye candles of different sizes resting on a nightstand
    Mojaber / Etsy

    The candle is handmade and made of paraffin wax.

    Promising reviews: "Quality, quality, quality!!! Looks even better in real life than in the photos. Bought the large, medium and small sized candles for my son’s new place and was thrilled to see them look so good . They look so good that my son doesn’t want to even light them!!:). They were packaged beautifully. Very very happy customer and will definitely buy again...this time for myself :))" —evadeg1

    "I’m not big on reviewing items, but I’m extremely happy with this buy. I purchased this item as a Christmas gift for my best friend, and I must say it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made on Etsy. The candle was packaged in the cutest gift wrap ever and my friend and I were in absolute love with the quality. The owner was fantastic in response time and customer service. I’m in such love with the item that I have to purchase one for myself. HIGHLY recommend!" –Larissa Serrot

    Shipping info: Shipping estimates depend on location of destination, but range from 2–14 days.

    Get it from Mojaber on Etsy for $18.99+ (available in three sizes).

    3. An organic black seed and orange blossom crème moisturizer infused with prickly pear seed oil and shea butter to deeply moisturize skin and calm irritation. This cream is straight-up dreamy!

    A jar of black seed and orange blossom crème moisturizer on a windowsill
    A before and after of someone with hyperpigmentation before using product, and noticeably clearer, brighter skin after using the product
    Skalliessentials / Etsy

    Promising review: "Thank you so much!! Perfect consistency and I love the smell." —sophia lenard

    Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with express delivery, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here). On Etsy, shipping estimates depend on location of destination, but range from 2–13 days.

    Skalli Essentials is a family-owned business with roots in Morocco, based in New Jersey. They create organic beauty products with no artificial ingredients or additives, based on natural products their family has been using for generations!

    Get it from Skalli Essentials on Etsy or from Amazon for $19.99.

    4. A handmade tote bag with a gorgeous traditional Armenian design across the top that's perfect for a day of errands or for carrying around campus. Plus, the purchase helps support Armenian refugees who have been displaced from Artsakh.

    Someone holding a tote with an Armenian design woven at the top of the bag
    Made in Syunik / Etsy

    Shipping info: Shipping estimates depend on location of destination, but range from 2–12 days.

    Made in Syunik specializes in embroidered totes, purses, and other home goods that incorporate meaningful Armenian designs. Products are handmade by displaced Armenians in Syunik, Armenia and are shipped out from Los Angeles, California. Each purchase helps secure jobs for Armenians refugees from Artsakh, and all proceeds go towards supporting them.

    Get it from Made in Syunik on Etsy for $25.

    5. A popular pomegranate choker that'll be a both beautiful and meaningful gift. Pomegranates are symbols of life and resilience across the SWANA region, so this dainty seed will remind them of their inner strength!

    A gold plated brass chain with a pomegranate seed charm
    Someone wearing the pomegranate necklace
    Sayran

    Shipping info: Orders can take up to 5–7 business days to ship out. Domestic orders usually arrive within 3 business days after shipping. See full shipping info here.

    Sayran is a Kurdish-owned jewelry business. Sayran's collections are handmade and inspired by their Kurdish roots and upbringing in the US.

    Get it from Sayran for $40 (available with red or pink pomegranate seed).

    6. A handprinted "Hex the Patriarchy" shirt for anyone who thinks the patriarchy needs to be hexed. Like, seriously.

    Someone wearing the
    A close-up of the
    Entangled Roots Press

    This tee is made of organic cotton.

    Shipping info: Orders are generally sent out within one week of purchase. Depending on where you are located, orders can take 2–5 business days to arrive once shipped.

    Entangled Roots Press is a print-making shop based in Portland, Oregon that explores ancestral heritage and liberatory futures.

    Get it from Entangled Roots Press for $25 (available in unisex S–2XL).

    7. A unique and downright gorgeous pink stone ring that jewelry lovers are pretty much sure to adore.

    A gold plated ring with two pink stones attached
    G Honey

    The ring is adjustable so one size will fit most.

    Shipping info: Orders are generally shipped within 4–5 business days of placement via USPS Domestic Ground shipping.

    G Honey is a Kurdish-owned jewelry business inspired by diaspora identity and the cultural significance of jewelry in Kurdish culture.

    Get it from G Honey for $45.

    8. coffee sampler because the best gift for any coffee loyalist is always MORE COFFEE — and reviewers love this San Francisco-based roasting company so much, they literally have it ordered across the country long after leaving SF.

    Five bags of Henry's coffees from the sampler pack
    Henry's House of Coffee

    Promising review: "Incredible. Love this sampler as a gift and for myself — it really helped me understand what qualities I like in coffee. All of them in 'Henry's Flight' (mixed light and dark roasts) are great, but Bella Finca was by far my favorite. Thoughtfully packaged as well!" —Chloe S.

    "Great gift! I ordered the sampler pack for a family member living in Chicago. He was surprised I sent it knowing multiple coffee options are available right outside his backdoor in Chicago. In the note I mentioned Henry's stands apart from the rest. He agreed after he received the gift and enjoyed his Henry's in the mail. Oh, by the way I moved from SF years but still receive my Henry's by mail too!" —Dennis P.

    Shipping info: Orders are shipped Monday through Friday. Most orders will arrive within three days if shipped via USPS Priority or FedEx 2-Day. Order pickup available in San Francisco, CA. See more here.

    Henry's House of Coffee is an Armenian family-owned business whose roasting roots go back to their roots in Lebanon. 

    Get five 2-ounce bags of coffee for $15 (available in light roast, dark roast, or mix assortments). Please note that these are sold as whole beans.

    9. A rep-worthy "YAS I'm an Immigrant!" double knuckle ring for those who proudly immigrated or whose families immigrated. 

    Someone wearing the
    Blingistan

    Shipping info: Orders are typically sent out from Los Angeles within two days of order (excluding Sundays and federal holidays). For the US, First-Class Mail typically arrives within 5–7 business days of shipment, and Priority Mail arrives within 3 days (including weekends). See more here.

    Blingistan is an Afghan-owned small business that makes fun, unique sterling silver, stainless steel, and gold jewelry.

    Get it from Blingistan for $35 (available in ring sizes 6/7 and 7/8).

    10. A short-sleeved button down with extra fun graphics if you know they're already dreaming of sunnier days.

    A blue short sleeved button down dotted with tiny ice cream bars
    A white short sleeved button down dotted with tiny pugs
    Amazon

    Reviewers recommend sizing up.

    Promising reviews: "Bought this for my husband for our recent trip to Hawaii. He loved it! We are back now, and this is the first shirt he reaches for after every wash!" —Something Blue

    "Got the men’s pug shirt and women’s pug shirt for my parents as Christmas gifts because we used to have a pug and it’s tradition for me to get them ugly sweaters with pugs around this time of year. Saw this shirt and thought it was a nice way to keep the tradition but also a little different. My parents loved it! The first order got lost in the mail and when I reached out to Molokai for support they were so helpful and responsive. They even directly texted me to ensure we got the second order! Loved the product, love the personal customer service support. Will buy again! Thank you Molokai for the awesome experience!" —Kristian Grace Sudario Bayan

    Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with express delivery, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Molokai Surf is a California-based, Armenian-owned swimwear and apparel company.

    Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in men's sizes S–4XL).

    11. An aglaonema "Lady Valentine" plant whose unique pink-tinted leaves will be a seriously awesome addition to any plant parent's brood.

    A Lady Valentine plant in a pot
    A taller Lady Valentine plant
    SarahCotta Plants

    Shipping info: Orders are typically processed within 3 business days. Orders containing heat-packs ship on Mondays only. More information is on the Shipping & Returns tab on the page of each plant. Curbside pickup is available in Glendale, CA. 

    SarahCotta Plants is a family-owned Armenian business based in Los Angeles. They meticulously pack every shipped plant to make sure it arrives at its destination in pristine shape.

    Get it from SarahCotta Plants for $15 (available in a 4" pot).

    12. A nail polish set of six rosy, nude, and bright pinks that'll fit beautifully into any collection. The set's colors are inspired by real-life places, including cities in Senegal, Morocco, and Jordan!

    A set of six nail polishes of different shades of pink
    A hand holding a pink 786 nail polish
    786

    Shipping info: 786 typically packages and ships orders the next business day after placement. Once shipped, you can expect to receive your package within 4–7 business days.

    786 designs inclusive nail polishes that are also vegan, cruelty-free, and halal. Pakistani-American owned and based in Chicago, they donate 20% of proceeds towards helping refugees navigate the difficulties brought on by COVID-19.

    Get it from 786 for $79.99.

    13. ceramic half split plate with a beautiful flower design that cooks and foodies will love filling up with entrées, snacks, and desserts.

    Hand-painted ceramic half-split plate in colorful style
    Hand-painted ceramic half-split plate in blue style
    Watan

    Shipping info: Orders ship within 3–5 business days via USPS, unless otherwise stated on the product page. Once the package is sent out, shipping time is 2–3 business days.

    Watan is a Chicago-based, Palestine-inspired arts shop.

    Get it from Watan for $35 (available in two color schemes).

    14. A pretty mermaid's tail soap set that kids and adults alike will enjoy! It's crafted by hand with cold-pressed olive oil to gently cleanse skin, and every sale helps secure employment for people who have been displaced from their homes.

    A soap pouch with an embroidered mermaid tail, a mermaid tail soap, and a shell shaped soap
    Sitti

    Promising reviews: "Beautifully made and decorative. The soap is delightful!" —amy g.

    "Handcrafted with love. Love these soaps and the package they come in. There was so much love put into the personalization of these." —sadia s.

    Shipping info: Orders are processed within 2–4 business days from Ontario, Canada and generally shipped within 72 hours of placing an order. DHL Express Shipping (1 business day shipping) and Canada Post Tracked Shipping (7–10 business days) available.

    Sitti is an Arab-owned business that specializes in handmade, natural bath and body products made by people who are refugees or displaced from their homes. Sales revenue helps secure their stable employment, professional training, and other community programming.

    Get the two soaps and embroidered pouch from Sitti for $16.

    15. A "Lebanese Cedar" candle meant to evoke a cozy November day with notes of almond blossom, musky wood, and spiced fig, so it's sure to warm their heart.

    A Lebanese Cedar candle and its packaging
    Ya Habibi Market

    Shipping info: Orders placed before 2 p.m. PST will be sent out within 2 business days (except on holidays). Domestic orders are sent via USPS Ground and can take up to 5 additional business days for delivery from date of dispatch. Most items are shipped from Los Angeles.

    Ya Habibi Market, meaning "my dear" or "my love" in Arabic, is a collective of multidisciplinary artists that create unique products to give back to their communities.

    Get it from Ya Habibi Market for $65.

    16. Or a bundle of candles inspired by New England States, including a woody plum Connecticut, an citrusy floral Maine, and vanilla pine Massachusetts that they'll love whether they're candle enthusiasts or have a hankering for the East Coast — or both! 

    New England State candles: Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine
    A close-up of a candle
    Môme

    Shipping info: Processing time takes 4–7 business days. Orders are shipped via USPS with 2–3 day priority shipping or via UPS ground shipping with 1–6 business day shipping. 

    Môme is an Armenian-owned candle company specializing in hand poured, soy-based candles, located in Southern California. All of their candles are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of phthlalates and other harmful chemicals and paraffins.

    Get it from Môme for $90.

    17. Pretty dangle huggies with iridescent hanging opals and hoops studded with cubic zirconia stones that jewelry fans will ah-dore.

    Dangle huggie earrings with hanging opals
    Dainty By Popo

    The huggies are made of 14K gold-plated sterling silver.

    Shipping info: Please allow up to 4–7 business days (Monday–Friday) for processing time. Shipping in the U.S. can take anywhere between 3–7 days. See more here.

    Dainty By Popo is an Assyrian-owned jewelry business based in Chicago.

    Get it from Dainty By Popo for $38.

    18. An absolutely adorable Noah's Ark corduroy overalls and T-shirt set covered with tiny animals, rainbows, and rainclouds. 😭 Their toddler will look IMPOSSIBLY cute.

    A Noah's Ark corduroy overalls and t-shirt set for toddlers
    Blue corduroy overalls for toddlers with tiny animals all over them
    A light yellow toddler's t-shirt with a small rainbow in the center
    Ara The Rat

    This two-piece set is made of 100% cotton and has snap closures on the shoulder straps and along the legs to make getting dressed easy! 

    Shipping info: Orders are sent via USPS Mail. After dispatch, shipping usually takes around 4–5 days.

    Ara The Rat is a Michigan-based, Armenian-owned clothing and accessories store inspired by Armenian cultural heritage.

    Get it from Ara The Rat for $22 (available in sizes 3T, 4T, and 5/6T).

    19. Soft, handmade lime and orange fruit pillows to majorly brighten and elevate their home. Wherever they put their pillow will def become their fave room!

    Someone holding up an orange pillow and a lime pillow
    Habibi Bazaar

    It measures 18 inches by 18 inches and is made of 100% acrylic yarn.

    Shipping info: Processing takes up to 2–7 business days. All orders ship from Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Habibi Bazaar makes creative items that represent the Southwest Asian North African community and that are inclusive of all within the community. They are Lebanese-owned.

    Get it from Habibi Bazaar for $75 (each pillow sold separately).

    20. A black sugar rose scrub with activated charcoal, jasmine oil, and organic sugar for clearing dead skin cells, hydrating skin, and improving dry patches and ingrown hair. They can use it on their face or body, and ~a little goes a long way!~

    The Dirty Lamb Black Rose Scrub
    Dirty Lamb

    Recommended use is at least twice a week.

    Promising review: "This stuff smells AMAZING and makes my legs so soft!!! Love this product!" —Adelle W.

    Shipping info: Orders are primarily shipped through USPS. Please allow 4–7 business days for your order to arrive after it has been fulfilled.

    Dirty Lamb is a gender inclusive, multicultural skincare line based out of Ohio. All products are handcrafted fresh weekly with natural ingredients. They are Palestinian-owned.

    Get it from Dirty Lamb for $26.99.

    21. A bestselling gold textured bowl that will dress up their counter or table whether it's storing snacks, fruit, or fun knickknacks. (Endless possibilities!)

    Three gold textured bowls of different sizes on a kitchen table
    A gold textured bowl on a living room coffee table
    Inspire Me! Home Decor

    The inner glass is removable for easy washing.

    Shipping info: Processing takes 8–10 business days and does not include shipping time. Shipping time depends on customer location. Orders are processed in the order they are received; expedited services are not available at this time.

    Inspire Me! Home Decor is an Arab woman-owned home decor brand that aims to make unique yet affordable statement pieces.

    Get it from Inspire Me! Home Decor for $33.99+ (available in three sizes).

    22. A bright scarf with Persian-inspired designs to bring a smile to their face and some color into their life even if the *weather outside is frightful* (that is, cold and dreary).

    A Persian inspired scarf
    Zozo Baking

    Shipping info: Orders ship Monday–Friday with the exception of the holidays. Please allow a week for processing. Orders placed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are shipped on the following Tuesday.

    Zozo Baking is a California-based, Iranian-owned baking company that incorporates Persian heritage with a modern twist into their goods.

    Get it from Zozo Baking for $25.

    23. A gift and travel-sized body care trio so their hands, feet, and body can be pampered wherever they go. The hand lotion is made with rose and antibacterial geranium, the body cream with pomegranate oil, and the foot cream with myrrh and ziziphora. It will be truly scrumptious — for their skin!

    A body care trio including body, hand, and foot creams
    Nairian

    Promising reviews: "A MUST HAVE! I LOVE NAIRIAN! All three lotions have wonderful, soothing smells. The texture is very light, yet moisturizing. They are not oily. I would definitely recommend this product to give as a gift for someone or to treat yourself with! I would pair it with one of Nairian's amazing smelling soaps and some of their other moisturizers when giving as a gift. It's a great product to start with especially if you've never used Nairian products before. I am always impressed and satisfied with their quality. Their packaging is another thing I love. Nairian is a company that pays attention to detail and I really appreciate and value that." –Talar Kossakian

    "Always in my bag. I absolutely love the trio set! Especially lately that it has been getting hot and my skin tends to be on the dry side — the hand, foot, and body cream covers all of it and it smells so yummy. It keeps me moisturized but doesn't leave me greasy, for instance, my hands can feel nourished by my fingers won't leave oil marks everywhere." —Ani Carla Kalafian

    Shipping info: Orders are shipped within 1–2 business days.

    Nairian is an Armenian-owned organic skincare business that sources its ingredients from the highlands of Armenia. All of their products are free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, sulfates, and other harmful chemicals.

    Get it from Nairian for $38.

    24. A 100% silk and wool bow tie for a fashionable pal or loved one so they can feel a little extra fancy.

    A earthy bow tie
    Astrid Sarkissian

    Shipping info: Free standard shipping available.

    Astrid Sarkissian is an Armenian-owned luxury scarf and accessories business based in New York and inspired by the ancient Armenian tradition of silk spinning.

    Get it from Astrid Sarkissian for $55.

    25. A gorgeous hair oil beloved by reviewers for use on skin, hair, and cuticles. Infused with pink Helichrysum petals and ten light oils from around the world, the formula is inspired by the founder's grandmother's Mesopotamian beauty secrets. Long story short, this product is the GOAT.

    A light hair oil with petals inside the bottle
    An infographic demonstrating different uses for the light oil, including on skin, in hair, as a pre-poo, and for cuticles
    Bounce Curl

    Promising review: "Best oil for everything! I absolutely love this oil. I put it on my baby’s hair and his hair feels so silky, soft and shiny afterwards, I just can’t get enough. I also use it on myself and my husbands hair and I just love it, thank you so much for sharing your grandma’s knowledge because it has saved my hair completely 🙏🏻 Muchas gracias 😊 bendiciones ❤️" —C.G.

    "Best oil I have ever used. Both my hair, and REALLY my skin LOVE this oil. Eats it right up. And it's no joke, it's such a light oil that does not feel heavy in any way. And the bottle and whole aesthetic is magical. Thank you!" —M.U.

    Shipping info: Domestic shipments use USPS. Excluding holidays, shipping and delivery estimates are 5–10 business days. Delays may occur during holidays. See more here.

    Bounce Curl is an Assyrian-owned hair care company specializing in curly hair. Their products are cruelty-free, use safe ingredients, and are inspired by the founder's ancestors' traditional remedies for hair care.

    Get it from Bounce Curl for $40.

    26. And a unique two ounce turmeric hair detox mask that is sure to be their fave stocking stuffer this year. It's packed with antioxidants like turmeric, charcoal, and green tea to nourish hair while breaking down all the buildup left by heavy products, so their locks will feel ~as good as new~ after giving it a spin.

    Tumeric hair detox mask in a mini bottle
    Someone running the tumeric hair detox mask through their curls
    Bounce Curl

    Recommended use is biweekly or monthly.

    Promising reviews: "This treatment is amazing! I’m def getting the bigger bottle next order! I also used it on my boyfriends locs and it did wonders." —Sarah

    "The only thing that works. I have been having a problem with buildup on my scalp for awhile now. I had tried every product that had good reviews before…Olaplex…scalp scrubbers...treatments…I bought this product on a whim because it was only $10. So happy I did. This product really works. I will continue to purchase this. Please never discontinue this product!!!!!" —Jaimee Lee Winkler

    Shipping info: Domestic shipments use USPS. Excluding holidays, shipping and delivery estimates are 5–10 business days. Delays may occur during holidays. See more here.

    Get it from Bounce Curl for $11.

    27. self-care sampler of teas to encourage them to take a load off and relax, because they really, really deserve it. These herbal teas are organic and fair-trade, and were selected specifically for their ability to bring comfort to the body and mind.

    A self-care sampler of six different teas
    Numi Tea

    The sampler includes eight tea blends, with five bags per blend (40 tea bags total).

    Shipping info: Most orders placed from Monday–Friday ship same day. Heat-sensitive items requiring special insulated packaging ship Monday–Wednesday. Orders are shipped via FedEx and other premium carriers. See more here.

    Numi Tea was founded in Oakland, California by two siblings. Their teas are meant to be healing and transformative, and are inspired by their childhood upbringing in Iraq.

    Get it from Numi Tea for $32.99.

    28. The gift of learning a language — a skill that will last longer than any material item, and an experience with the potential to be meaningful beyond their imagination.

    A package wrapped with wrapping paper that looks like a map, with a note reading
    NaTakallam

    They offer 1-, 5-, or 10-hour language courses in Arabic, Armenian, English, French, Kurdish, Persian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. A 25-hour Integrated Arabic Curriculum is also available.

    Gifts must be redeemed by recipient within six months of purchase, and sessions must be completed within a specific amount of time after being introduced to the tutor. More information available here.

    Shipping info: None – the service is provided online! Recipients are notified of their gift via email. 

    NaTakallam, meaning "we speak" in Arabic, hires vetted, highly skilled refugees and displaced persons as online language tutors, teachers, and translators. Their headquarters are in New York, but their tutors and translators are based in 30+ countries worldwide. Sessions are typically held online through Google Meet or other video conferencing options. A number of tutors have been trained to work with children, too! Learn more here.

    Get it from NaTakallam for $25+.

    Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.