Holiday Gift Guide: 9 Handcrafted Treasures by Israeli Designers
Discover nine exceptional holiday gifts from Israeli designers, featuring wild-herb chocolates, 24k gold pomegranate jewelry, culinary-inspired couture hats, and nostalgic historical photography.
The festive season is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and your loved ones to unique, handcrafted items created by local Israeli designers. From artisanal chocolates infused with wild herbs to conceptual headwear and nostalgic home decor, this curated selection highlights the best of local creativity and craftsmanship.
Gourmet Delights and Fine Fragrances
Seven artisanal producers have come together to create handcrafted, limited-edition gift boxes featuring personal blessings for the Mano Vino wine chain and the Adina deli. Inside, you will find caramelized almond dragées coated in white chocolate and seasoned with hyssop (ezov) and lime powder by wild-plant forager Nitzan Kohanim. The collection also features a bergamot tonic crafted from Jezreel Valley botanicals by Naama Sternlicht. These exclusive gift sets range from 165 to 459 NIS.
Parfa, a new Israeli fragrance brand founded by Arik Chen, blends premium essences formulated in Grasse, France—the perfume capital of the world—with local creative design. Among its nine signature scents, No. 305 stands out with its warm blend of spices, white pepper, and lavender. The brand emphasizes sustainability with recyclable packaging and offers matching candles, diffusers, and hand soaps.
Fashion and Wearable Art
Botanical photographer and artist Adi Miller (founder of Moon) has designed a unique cotton tote bag specifically for carrying fresh flowers. Engineered to protect delicate petals, the bag features a moisture-resistant lining and adjustable drawstrings to secure the bouquet. Priced at 179 NIS, it is the ultimate stylish way to bring flowers to a holiday dinner.
For jewelry lovers, designer Anna Medpis-Shandrova of Para-Ruk offers stunning pomegranate earrings plated in 24-karat gold, adorned with pearls, natural gemstones, and hand-painted ceramic beads for 480 NIS. Her collection also includes hand-painted silk scarves featuring motifs inspired by nature and Israeli heritage.
Gertrud presents a chic printed cotton skirt featuring essential deep pockets and a raw-edge hem for a modern touch. Priced at 530 NIS, it pairs beautifully with a matching zippered structured shirt (365 NIS), a simple white t-shirt, or a classic men's button-down.
Conceptual Decor and Whimsical Tableware
In his spectacular new book, Don't Eat Your Hat, designer Maor Zabar bridges the worlds of haute couture and culinary arts. The book pairs recipes from top chefs with whimsical, custom-designed hats. The results are both breathtaking and humorous, featuring a gefilte fish hat inspired by chef Avi Biton's recipe and a Gugelhupf cake hat based on a recipe by Lior Mashiach. The book is available for 180 NIS.
Continuing the culinary theme, graphic designer and embroidery artist Noa Shavit offers custom cotton napkins embroidered with whimsical gefilte fish designs. Made to order at 35 NIS per napkin, customers can mix designs or add guests' names to create a personalized holiday table setting.
For the dining table, Lior Shahar of 1220 Ceramics crafts minimalist, handmade ceramic plates. The brand is named after the firing temperature of 1220 degrees Celsius, which ensures exceptional durability. Each plate is slightly asymmetrical, celebrating the organic beauty of handmade craft, with prices starting at 120 NIS.
History enthusiasts will appreciate the nostalgic calendar from The PhotoHouse, featuring 12 iconic historical photographs captured by founder Rudi Weissenstein between 1936 and 1971. Managing an archive of over one million negatives, The PhotoHouse preserves the visual heritage of early Israel. The calendar is priced at 80 NIS.
