From matching PJs to planners to advent calendars, local brands have got our holiday wishlists covered.
While admittedly not all of us will be gathering around a Christmas tree this December or January, the festivities of Christmas have made their way well into our modern-day culture. In other words, we can’t help but feel the spirit of giving. Whether you’re preparing for a Secret Santa, showing love with a New Year’s present, or are simply moved by a desire to celebrate Christmas (and all the cute Christmas products overtaking your social media feed), sometimes the question of what to give is a difficult one to answer.
In the past, this is an issue we would’ve resolved by traversing random neighbourhood stationery and gift shops for picture frames, or tech stores for yet another phone case. This year, however, Egyptian local brands are taking over the Christmas market, covering everything from festive wax burners to personalised ornaments to somewhat elegant Christmas sweaters.
There’s something for everyone, but it is a lot to navigate, which is exactly why we’ve prepared this comprehensive guide to the best Christmas gifts local brands are offering this year…
Sticky Fingers Kitchen Gloves
Kangaroo
Do you have a friend that, every Christmas, continues to upscale themselves in the baked sweet treats they conjure up in the kitchen? Well, these adorable kitchen mittens can help you express your gratitude for their offerings, and keep their kitchen ever-warm. Pair with Kangaroo’s adorable hand-stitched Christmas ornaments for maximum warmth.
Solstice Jacquard Scarf
Rebel Cairo
Rebel, commonly regarded as the it-girl brand of Cairo (and for good reason), just dropped their annual jacquard knit scarf collection - this year with the twist of delicate embroideries of sequins and beads. They’re warm, they’re fresh out the oven, and they’ll guaranteeably be around your loved ones’ necks all winter.
Glow Getter Advent Calendar
Mernyth
Although initially created to count down the days till Christmas, advent calendars have grown to mean so much more. They’ve become the ultimate gift, one that truly gives on giving (for 12 days to be exact). Mernyth’s Glow Getter gift box holds 12 of Egyptian skincare’s absolute créme de la créme, so it’s just the gift to get yourself (I mean, you don’t know what’s inside) or your skincare guru besties.
The Leopard Pouch
Patterned Threads
Whether your loved one is naturally stocked up on skincare and makeup or if they’ve just been bombarded with the aforementioned Mernyth advent calendar, you can’t go wrong with a trusty pouch. Patterned Threads’ Leopard is fashionable, spacious and a statement (and could potentially also be used as a pencil case).
Bow-tiful Christmas Sweater
Myne
We’re not sure what it is about them - maybe it’s the odd-looking reindeer, or the incessant presence of Christmas trees - but ugly Christmas sweaters have a kind of warmth you can find nowhere else. Myne’s take on the Christmas tradition is far from ugly, but it is just as warm (and, paired with a cute mini-skirt, makes for the ideal Christmas get-together outfit).
Santa’s Sock Mug
Crockers
‘Tis the season for cuddling up with a Christmas film and an enormous cup of hot chocolate, and sure, you could use any old mug for that - but wouldn’t it be endlessly cuter if that mug were a ceramic rendition of a little Santa’s sock? Crockera’s adorable Santa’s Sock mug is made even more adorable when marshmallows are sticking out from it.
Christmas PJs
Patterned Threads
Nights as cold as this mean one thing: a rewatch of Love Actually with your bestie. Now, while you technically could do that wearing just any old thing, it’s endlessly cuter if you do it in matching PJs, and Patterned Threads’ Christmas PJs are the perfect outfit for just that. (Not to mention, of course, how much more adorable your Xmas photoshoot would be.)
In My Golden Era Planner
Stick to the Plan
Change is in the air, and everyone’s scrambling to get their plans for the New Year in order, as every December goes. Naturally, it’s time to invest in a new planner, and Stick to the Plan’s 2025 planner ‘In My Golden Era’ is a natural winner, you know, for manifestation purposes. It also comes in both a spiral and hard cover option, whichever’s more comfortable.
Bewilder Set
Kin Suki
Nothing says “Christmas warmth” quite like beautiful homeware, and since this holiday is so closely tied to food, a set of plates is just the right festive gift to give. Kin Suki’s Bewilder is, naturally, a crowd-pleaser. You might even expect warm chocolate chip cookies in return.
Catwalk Knot Bag
Rebel Cairo
Christmas and NYE parties can be a daunting affair - at this point, they’ve become their own fashion show of sorts. If you want to make your friends’ outfit-picking process less daunting, Rebel’s Catwalk Knot Bag is a wonderful gift to give; it simply elevates any sparkle-based outfit to make it even more festive.
Pumpkin Soufflé Candle
Incandescent Candles
On the coldest of nights, the scent of lit candles is what brings a home warmth. Incandescent’s Pumpkin Soufflé’s candle is perfect for the task because it smells as delicious as it sounds (warning: you might need dessert, though), and it burns cleanly and soot-lessly thanks to its coconut palm wax base. The shop’s linen sprays are also a considerable option.
Galaxies Sketchbook
Vent
Every friend group has that one friend who’s a natural artist but, for some reason, constantly shies away from their watercolours. Well, the truth is, the resolution ‘Make more art’ is often on that friend’s list of hopes for the New Year - they just need a little push. Vent’s Galaxies Sketchbook is a piece of art, in and of itself, and it might just inspire your artist friends too.
Jolly Holly Candle
Relaxscent
What’s that in the air? Love? Exhaust? Could it *gasp* possibly be, the smell of Christmas? Relaxscent’s Jolly Holly candle, an absolutely delicious blend of smooth chocolate and sweet oranges, brings the Christmas spirit to life in olfactory form.
Cozy Frost Set
In Your Shoe
Available on Botit for same-day delivery.
Lost between a kaleidoscope of options for Christmas gifts, when it’s just a Secret Santa present? No worries, we’ve all been there. In Your Shoe’s Cozy Frost Set might just be the answer to your indecisiveness, because it contains everything anyone would need on a cold night in: fluffy (Christmas-themed) pajama pants, a comfortable shirt and warm socks.
Santa Christmas Wax Burner
Kenum
Available on Botit for same-day delivery.
While scented candles are an easy go-to Christmas gift, it can sometimes be difficult to gauge just what scent your loved ones would enjoy most. In that case, Kenum’s Santa Christmas Wax Burner could be a great alternative: just as festive (arguably more) but with customisable scents. The shop’s customisable snowflake ornaments are also a wonderful option for a little extra something.
Handmade Knit Scarf in Olive
Nahla El Alfy Designs
No ugly Christmas sweater to make you look like a walking manifestation of the festive season? No worries. Nahla El Alfy’s handmade knit scarf in olive can make you look like a fashionable Christmas tree, complete with confetti.
The Men Winter Robe
Self the Brand
Okay, there’s no need to bat around the bush. Getting presents for men is never easy, especially when you’re not familiar with their special interests or if you simply know nothing about technological gimmicks and specialised keyboards (join the club). Self the Brand’s men’s winter robe can help you show the boys you love just how much you care, and keep them elegantly warm through the winter as well.
Nature Utensil Set
We Care
If your friend has recently grown more concerned about the state of the world, starting packing lunches and wondering where plastic goes, perhaps you can help ease their worries and put them on the road to a less wasteful life. We Care’s Nature Utensil Set consists of a wooden spoon, fork, knife, straws and a cleaning brush, crafted by local artisans in Aswan and conveniently placed in a cloth sac to carry around all day and bring your New Year’s resolution to life.
Puzzles
Dizz
Cold nights spent indoors are, without a doubt, a good time. But at some point, you do exhaust the plethora of Christmas movies you have on your watchlist, and start yearning for some other activity. A fun puzzle, done in your ultra-fuzzy Christmas jammies, is the solution for that - and local brand Dizz has them in all colours, shapes and sizes.
Dec 22, 2024
Dec 24, 2024
