A guide to Christmas gift shopping in Saudi Arabia

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Updated 26 December 2022
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A guide to Christmas gift shopping in Saudi Arabia

  • Many stores try to create an experience that guarantees the shopper’s return in later years
  • Decision to celebrate diversity and cultural tolerance is translating into better bottom lines

JEDDAH: Many shops are getting into the Christmas spirit by showing support for the Saudi government’s new vision of celebrating diversity and cultural tolerance.
There are stores that offer discounts and gift hampers to create an experience that guarantees the shopper’s return in later years.
Fun, stylish clothing and footwear are always winners at the festive period. Next, Lefties, H&M, and Zara are some of the outlets offering cheerful pajamas, cardigans, sweaters and colorful footwear.




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These stores are usually in malls across the Kingdom, but goods can also be ordered online from their official websites.
Candles are also one of the best options to grant the receiver a giant dose of festive spirit. This gift not only makes the home smell nicer, but also creates a relaxing and cozy environment.
Bath & Body Works has a bundle of options in its holiday collection. It also boasts fragrance products that are inexpensive and loved by all age groups.
Manal Hamad, who owns an abaya shop, said that she bought her employees sets of perfumes, lotions and shower gels from Bath & Body Works.
She said: “The shop has a festive vibe, and they offer great deals.




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“I thought it was a simple gesture, just to show how much I appreciated them, especially the fact that they are away from their homes during this time of year.”
As an alternative to an individual gift, a basket or hamper containing several products may be the best bet. The most appreciated gift baskets may be sweet treats or selections of the best coffee.
Patchi and Godiva offer the best in chocolate, along with exquisite packaging, while buying for coffee lovers is simple with gift hampers from Starbucks and Barn, companies which also offer mugs or tumblers.




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These gifts can be bought easily from stores in Jeddah, Riyadh, Makkah, and Dammam, or the companies’ websites.
Books for children may be traditional, but they still make cracking Christmas presents, from fantasy to thriller, adventure to classic.
Jarir Bookstore has books for adults and children on culture, fiction, academic subjects, and languages.




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The store is one of the oldest and most cherished and can be found in 23 different cities across the Kingdom.
Jarir also sells stationery, educational toys for children, video games, mobiles, tablets and laptops — all great options for anyone searching for a gift.
Online store Booklee provides an alternative, offering books and simple crafts for children.




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The latest gizmos could be on the Christmas list for teenagers, with AirPods, speakers, and mobiles providing the perfect present.
Virgin Megastore can be a real one-stop-shop, not only for gadgets but also for kitchen appliances such as juicers, rapid air fryers, smart pot multi-cookers, kitchen measurement scales and toasters, to name just a few.
The store also has scooters, puzzles, soft toys, adventure trivia board games, movie quiz night card games, educational games and the latest PlayStation items, Xbox and Nintendo.
Games can be bought either in person at the store or online from the official website.




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West Elm is the perfect store for Christmas stockings, ornaments, pillows, holiday bedding, wreaths and garlands, along with dining utensil sets, blankets and quilts. This shop is the best place for those who are trying to purchase a unique gift for their loved ones.
Shoppers can also choose from a wide range of cushions, lighting and art essentials.




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West Elm can be found in Riyadh Park mall, where the whole shopping center is a colorful mass of winter decorations.
Shopping online may save you the trouble of venturing out, and most items in stores are available to purchase in the comfort of your own home, at the click of a button.
The online experience can be less expensive and the perfect way to keep your purchases a great secret until the big day.
Noon, Amazon KSA, Floward KSA and Namshi are among the best virtual stores.




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The stores also have sales at the moment, giving an opportunity to buy more for your money for all family members, friends and relatives. These websites also have gift vouchers or cards for sale.
Gift cards can also be bought from a variety of retailers within the Kingdom, such as Centerpoint KSA, Zara and Mango, while for mums-to-be, Mothercare and Mamas & Papas may be the best spot.
For beauty products, it has to be Paris Gallery and Sephora. These websites are awesome and just the place to shop until you drop.


Piece of Kaaba’s Kiswah gifted to Uzbekistan’s Center of Islamic Civilization

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Piece of Kaaba’s Kiswah gifted to Uzbekistan’s Center of Islamic Civilization

RIYADH: A piece of the holy Kaaba’s Kiswa was gifted by the Kingdom to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, currently on a visit to the Central Asian country, handed over the piece of cloth to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the directive of King Salman.

Mirziyoyev commended the Kingdom’s efforts to develop Hajj and Umrah experiences and facilitate the journeys of Uzbek pilgrims to the Kingdom, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.


Saudi visitors forecast to spend £940m in UK during 2025

Updated 49 min 56 sec ago
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Saudi visitors forecast to spend £940m in UK during 2025

  • Visa-free travel scheme, improved flight links boost numbers of Saudis traveling to Britain
  • VisitBritain figures show rise in GCC tourists to UK likely to continue

LONDON: Increasing numbers of Saudi visitors are expected to spend an extra £200 million in the UK this year, thanks to improved visa-free travel and more flight routes.

Tourism authority VisitBritain has forecast 320,000 visits from Saudi Arabia in 2025 — a 12 percent increase on the 286,000 visits in 2023.

Saudi Arabia became one of seven Middle Eastern countries to be included in the UK’s electronic travel authorization scheme when the Kingdom was added in February 2024. 

Under the scheme, visitors to the UK can purchase a two-year permit allowing multiple journeys to the country. This replaces a more expensive, six-month electronic visa waiver.

The scheme is one of the reasons visitor numbers to the UK from Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries are set to increase again above pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, spending by tourists is growing at an even faster rate, according to the VisitBritain figures compiled with Oxford Economics and published on Tuesday.

Saudi tourists are expected to spend £942 million in 2025 — 34 percent more than in 2023.

“Saudi Arabia is a very important inbound visitor market for the UK, and it is fantastic to see the continued growth forecast,” a VisitBritain spokesperson told Arab News.

“With the growing airline connectivity to the UK through regional gateways alongside the electronic travel authorization scheme, travel to the UK is now easier and more accessible for Saudi nationals.”

For the GCC countries overall, there are expected to be 1.4 million visits to the UK this year, up 8 percent on the 2024 estimate.

GCC visitors are set to spend £3.5 billion on their trips, another substantial increase on previous years.

The expected growth in travel numbers comes as two airlines prepare to launch new routes between the UK and Saudi Arabia next month.

UK airline Virgin Atlantic will run daily flights between Riyadh and Heathrow, while budget carrier Wizz Air will connect Jeddah and Gatwick.

As the UK seeks to boost tourism from the Gulf to help its economy, Saudi Arabia has in recent years opened up to global tourism, welcoming visitors to important historical areas such as AlUla.

VisitBritain and the Saudi Tourism Authority signed an agreement in May setting out areas to develop and expand tourism.

VisitBritain recently rolled out a new campaign in Saudi Arabia called “Starring GREAT Britain” that uses famous locations from films and TV to attract visitors.

Overall, tourism to the UK is forecast to increase this year on 2024 levels with a record 43.4 million visits from all countries, spending £33.7 billion.


Saudi Arabia to launch iftar program in 61 countries

Updated 51 min 29 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia to launch iftar program in 61 countries

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will launch an iftar program in 61 countries during the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, through religious attaches at the Kingdom’s embassies abroad, is implementing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Iftar (breaking of the fast) this year.

The program aims to provide iftar to more than 1 million people, the SPA reported.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of global aid and their efforts to serve Islam and Muslims, especially during Ramadan.

He added that the ministry, in coordination with religious attaches and cultural centers, has disbursed the necessary funds for the Ramadan iftar program.
 


Saudi deputy FM meets US official in Riyadh

Updated 19 February 2025
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Saudi deputy FM meets US official in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Timothy Lenderking, senior bureau official at US State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and his accompanying delegation, in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs Ali Al-Yousef received Dutch Ambassador to the Kingdom Hans Peter van der Woude in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meetings, all sides discussed various topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
 


Saudi Arabia’s Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026

Updated 19 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026

  • Becomes first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position

RIYADH: The General Council of the World Trade Organization unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term on Wednesday.

His appointment marks a milestone for the region, as he becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The WTO General Council plays a role in overseeing the organization’s operations between its biennial ministerial conferences.

Under Al-Moqbel’s presidency, the council is expected to address a range of critical global trade issues, with preparations for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, set to take place in Cameroon in March 2026, high on the agenda.

Other priorities will include advancing essential WTO reforms, particularly concerning its dispute settlement mechanism, and progressing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement.

Additionally, discussions will focus on key areas such as agriculture, food security and development concerns, while efforts will also be made to integrate multilateral agreements, including the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework, SPA added.

Commenting on his appointment, Al-Moqbel hailed the significance of Saudi Arabia’s leadership within the WTO, stating that it reflected the Kingdom’s growing role in the international economic landscape.

He emphasized that the Kingdom would leverage its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation and drive meaningful reforms within the WTO.