'Tis the season, but these thoughtful presents are guaranteed people-pleasers all year ‘round
FOR THE BELIEVER:
Red Book of Luck
Gift this to your most superstitious friend and watch their crazy thoughts light up like wildfire. The world of the luckiest symbols, charms, talismans, colors, and stones can be found in its user-friendly pages and (fingers crossed!) readers will find exactly what they’re looking for.
HaMigdalor book shop, 1 Levontin St, Tel Aviv
FOR THE CUDDLY LOVE:
The childhood bear of your kids’ dreams is coming to a mall near you...Dubido Factory lets you choose a stuffed lovie of your choice (from unicorns to elephants and more) and then your child can watch it come to life before his or her very eyes. They can create, assemble and customize it with a ‘birth certificate’, change of clothes, ‘heart’ full of wishes and even a message recorder stitched inside.
DubiDoFactory, Ramat Aviv Mall
FOR THE INSPIRED MAKER:
Israeli ceramicist Irit Goldberg has been hand crafting her stunning pieces for decades and selling them out of her quaint shop in one of the unassuming alleys of Old Jaffa for years. Happen upon this spot and fall madly in love. Even the gorgeous retailer Anthropologie picked up Goldberg’s designs for their housewares department!
Irit Goldberg 2 Shimon HaBursekai Alley, Old Jaffa
FOR THE STRATEGIC PLANNER:
From weekly day planners and wall calendars to sleek paper clips and pencil cases, KaRinITI’s streamlined designs and stationary will make even your most Type A friend calm the F down.
Kariniti, Shops across Tel Aviv
FOR THE CREATURES OF COMFORT:
Just ‘cause you’re a homebody doesn’t mean you need to look like a schlump. And Tel Avivians love to wear their jjs out for more than just chucking the trash. Socks and Havaianas not pictured.
FOR THE MONTESSORI KIDS:
Specializing in modern and creative wooden toys, the Israeli company Kipod taps into the child’s formative mind and ignites a challenge both developmentally and imaginatively. Expect artfully elaborative puzzles, pom poms, masks and more.
KIPOD, Shops across Israel
FOR THE INSATIABLE TRAVELER:
Whether you crave a sabbatical, technology detox or a serious break from the world’s harsh realities, this stunning travelogue-cum-memoir is a dizzying chronicle of wanderlust and just might spur some flights in your future.
Sipur Pashut bookstore, 36 Shabazi St, Neve Tzedek
FOR SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY:
We could all use a stash of change here and there and Elli, the adorable coin bank by the Israeli design company Monkey Business, actually makes it fun to teach kids about saving up – or just for simply serving as a better place than the bottom of your purse...
Shops across Israel (monkeybusinessusa.com)
FOR THE YOUNG (AND STYLISH) AT HEART:
We fell in love with Ari Seth Cohen’s snaps on his beloved blog ‘Advanced Style’. His latest ode to fashion-forward street style continues to catalogue veteran couples in their most playful garb.
Bookworm, 9 Malkhei Yisra’el St, Tel Aviv
FOR THE DIE-HARD TEL AVIVIAN:
Order through Oren Fischer's Instagram @orenfischer
FOR THE DOODLER:
These ‘Happy Birds’ by M.Direktor are fashionable and sweet, humorous and lovable all at once. Available in cards and prints, they make a perfect, frameable gift for young and old and in-between.
Shop on Etsy: MdirektorArt
FOR THE DESIGNOPHILES:
Nimrod Genisher
Artist Tzachi Nevo crafts his wood masterpieces and sells them all over the world – including out of his inspirational studio in south Tel Aviv. From hamsas and insects to modern African masks, the designs are vibrant and unexpected.
Sun-Fri by appointment 75 Kibbutz Galuyot, Tel Aviv 052-4816481 (umasqu.com)
FOR THE ONE WHO IS ALWAYS COLD:
Grab a pair of cozy tights from cult Israeli brand Zohara ASAP. Better yet, take advantage of their ‘mommy & me’ series boasting twinning prints in both adult and mini-me sizes. Let the photo ops begin.
Zohara Tights, 255 Dizengoff St & Gindi Fashion Mall
FOR THE CREATIVE CAT:
This Tel Aviv-based indie contemporary art magazine showcases creators from across the globe who hone in on one specific theme for each issue. Issue #15 ‘Island’ features 47 postcards full of color, conceptualism and acute interpretations.
FOR THE SPONTANEOUS ADVENTURER:
Itching for something new and fresh? Let these 50 inspirational, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants prompts lead the way to light up your next move – including ‘create an alter ego for a day’ and see what happens...
HaMigdalor book shop, 1 Levontin St, Tel Aviv
FOR THE COOLEST GUY IN THE ROOM:
Parisian Atelier Beaurepaire in Canal Saint Martin brings the heat. And now they’ve opened a travelling pop up shop in Tel Aviv. Next stop? Florentine. The unisex label featuring bold and brazen African prints gets even fresher plastered on fitted jumpsuits and hoodied sweatshirts.
Call Stefan for where & when: 053-9402956
FOR THE CULINARY OBSESSED:
Little Book of Jewish feasts
Perfect your main dish game for all of the Jewish holidays throughout the year, including balsamic & brown sugar brisket and perfectly spicy chraime.
Bestia
All-star Israeli chef Ori Menashe divulges all of his delectable secrets from his LA-based rustic Italian eatery in a fun, user-friendly format.
Nopi
He says it from the get-go: revered Israeli/British chef Ottolenghi has crafted this gorgeous tome for experienced restaurant chefs cooking at home.
Sweet
Because Ottolenghi can do no wrong...here is another cookbook by the culinary wunderkind – this time with desserts like tahini and halva brownies.
LOCAL GIFT BOXES:
KAREN SHAVIT
© Nir Yeffe
The Israeli fashion entrepreneur now has gift boxes boasting beautifully-curated local products – from handmade soap to printed scarves. karen-shavit.com
MASHU MASHU
These selective offerings are based on monthly and quarterly subscriptions including artisanal Israeli food, beauty, design and lifestyle products. mashumashubox.com
MATANA
The subscription boxes contain Israeli-made items, including options like camel-milk soap, za’atar pesto, and anise-flavored wildflower honey. thematanashop.com