The Best Travel Gifts To Buy in Saudi Arabia
You spent several days in Saudi Arabia and now it’s time to go back home. However, the moment you start packing your luggage, you realize you didn’t buy travel gifts for your loved ones. You run from one souvenir store to another, only to realize you don’t really know what to buy.
Don’t worry! Everyone has had trouble finding the right souvenir at one point in their life!
Unique travel gifts need to bring a touch of foreign culture into one’s everyday life, and, fortunately, Saudi’s rich history offers plenty of opportunities for creativity, as well as practicability. Let’s explore some fun travel gift ideas that your loved ones are going to love!
Geometric Art
Geometric patterns are highly appreciated in Saudi and are often used in Islamic designs, due to their spiritual meaning. In Arabic art, geometry means repetitiveness and symmetry, which represents infinity and the unseen essence of simple things.
Someone passionate about culture, arts, or religion would love to receive any form of geometric art. Fortunately, this gift can be pretty versatile.
If you are willing to spend extra money on a gift, Arabic art offers many impressive paintings you can choose from. Many of them use geometric patterns, but there are also some that are less abstract and simply show moments of Arabic life.
Of course, you won't necessarily have to spend a fortune to show your appreciation for your loved ones. There are more affordable options available that you can find in any souvenir store.
You can find a nice charm, key ring, or even everyday things decorated with geometric patterns and inspired by Arabic art. From mugs, to t-shirts, or even swimsuits, bringing a touch of foreign culture back home has never been easier!
Jewelry
Saudi Arabia is the ideal place for jewelry lovers. Moonstones, Sapphire, or even Quarts can be found in this region. Moreover, you can find authentic gold jewelry at a better price than in other parts of the world, because there is no additional value-added tax in Saudi.
Avoid going to large shopping centers if you are looking for high-quality jewelry that won’t cost a fortune. You’ll usually find the best pieces at smaller stores, owned by locals.
Dates
You can’t leave Saudi without getting a gift for your foodie friend. For someone who loves exploring other countries’ cuisines, dates would make a great travel gift.
Saudi Arabia is the 4th largest producer of dates worldwide after Egypt, Iran and Algeria. Dates are packed with nutrients and in Saudi they are also linked to spirituality. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and traditionally, they break the fast by eating dates before anything else.
Fresh or dried, dates are a sweet, but healthy snack that can be eaten in a variety of ways. You can add them into a smoothie or toss them in a salad for an exotic mix of sour and sweet. They can also be stuffed, used in cookies, or other pastries.
Aromatic Spices
What would food be without spices? Not only does seasoning bring a unique flavor to basic dishes, but they also represent the local cuisine. By definition, The Middle East means flavor, with a touch of strong and exotic spices. Cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg, or turmeric are all popular spices used in famous Arabian dishes.
Not only are they delicious, but they are also valuable. For example, saffron, a common spice used in rice, chicken, or fish dishes, is the most expensive spice in the world.
Although less expensive than saffron, cardamom is another popular condiment in Saudi and it’s among the most valuable spices in the world. If you truly want to taste authentic Arabian cuisine, you’ll need to try Qahwa, a traditional coffee made from green coffee beans and cardamom. It’s usually unsweetened, so the citrusy, but slightly sweet flavor of cardamom can stand out.
However, aromatic spices shouldn’t be reserved just for food. Many of those spices are found in Arabian perfumes or essential oils that are known for their strong aroma. The OUD perfume is one of the most famous travel gifts from Saudi Arabia. It is extracted from the wood of the Agar tree and it’s popular for its rich, woody, and earthy aroma. It would make a great gift for someone who likes strong perfumes.
Camel Milk
Did you know that you can actually drink camel milk? Furthermore, camel milk is high in vitamins and minerals, it has less lactose, and it doesn’t contain the same protein found in regular milk. This is definitely great news for people with lactose intolerance!
Camel milk chocolate is a signature snack in Saudi Arabia. As for those with a sweet-tooth, this delicious gift will blow their minds! The richness of camel milk gives chocolate an authentic flavor.
The taste relies on the cocoa concentration and how much camel milk is used. However, it’s usually less sweet than regular milk chocolate and it has a slightly salty tinge.
Camel milk is not used only in sweets. There are many body care products that contain camel milk, known for its soothing and moisturizing effects on the skin. From soaps, to body lotion or creams, you can find them in almost any souvenir store.
Bring Unique Travel Gifts Back Home
Buying souvenirs that truly say “I thought of you” isn’t always easy, and for that, we have your back. Our unique travel gifts collection offers a variety of products you can choose from, inspired by geometric art, an important symbol in Arabic culture.
We offer free shipping worldwide. You can order our products online, so you won’t have to worry if your souvenir will fit into your luggage or if you are allowed to take it into your carry-on bag.
Let’s explore exotic cultures together!