What to buy as a Christmas gift from Caucasus, so for someone passionate about Azerbaijan, Georgia or Armenia? This is a quick Caucasus gifts guide prepared for you, ideally before Christmas and holiday season. The list is subjective, but as a person fascinated by this region I decided I can do so.
Choosing a gift for others is not my favourite task to do. I know the best what I would like to get as a gift from Georgia for example and… usually buy it by myself. What is more, I do not wait for the best occasion, just buy it when need. Let’s use it as an advantage for you. If I know what Christmas gift from Caucasus may want such a person, I can share that with you and make your life easier.
On purpose I do not add any links or shops where you can buy some things, because I know we have listeners from all over world. Therefore, there will be no use for you to have such. What I will do is to suggest how to look for the shops in your areas or country you live in. So let’s start with our Christmas gifts from Caucasus list!
Wine and sweets from the Caucasus are always welcome
My first suggestion would be wine or cognac from Georgia or Armenia. Especially it this person does not abstain from drinking alcohol. It may be that I am not a typical fan of the Caucasus as I do not fancy alcohol at all. However, I am more than sure that for others the bottle of nice wine is a safe and well chosen gift.
As an alternative, I would suggest sweets from Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia. Or a bag of nice tea from Azerbaijan as a gift for Christmas. Those are already being exported to many countries, including European Union ones. As an example I may choose packed Georgian churchkhelas, tasty Armenian walnuts jam or dried persimmons. I also may be given such a Christmas gift from Caucasus in any amount possible. From my experience, there is no way the person receiving the gift would not be excited about it.
How about going to a good Georgian restaurant?
The next safe Christmas gift from Caucasus ideally corelating with the Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani traditions of feasts and eating together is a voucher to a Georgian restaurant in your city. or to Armenian restaurant or to Azerbaijani restaurant (or to all of them if you will ;) ). Often eating together the dishes from the region we all love (the Caucasus of course) gives you an opportunity to come back to your holiday memories. It may be also a chance to listen to the stories from Georgia or Armenia you have not heard before. Or just spending great time together.
If there is no Georgian or Azerbaijani restaurant in your vicinity that issues such vouchers, you can do one yourself. Just take a card, envelope and write down that this is an invitation to eat dinner together. If in the end of the day you are the one paying for the dinner. It is as it would be a voucher.
Books about Caucasus are the best solution for everything
I was truly trying to prepare for you a list of books that will be the best choice for a person passionate about Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan or North Caucasus literature. Unfortunately, this appeared to be an impossible task. That is why I decided to go with the types of books you can focus on. If the person you look the gift for likes to cook, you may choose the cookbook, e.g. from Azerbaijan or Armenia.
Such a choice may not be the evident one and that may make it more exciting. If the person prefers novels or reportage, I would suggest to browse through the GoodReads books lists and verify which of those were not read or purchased by them. Especially I do recommend focusing on the author’s origin from the region. If you still do not know what to choose, I do promise to help. Drop me an e-mail at joanna@jezykikaukazu.pl and I will create some suggestions for you based on what this person likes. Remember that we, in Languages of the Caucasus are always more than happy to advise you on the literature from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan or North Caucasus.
You may also see our other episodes of the Caucasus Podcast about book recomendations we have already publishes so to get an inspiration for a book as a Christmas gift from Caucasus
What to give as a Christmas gift from Caucasus to a person that has everything?
This is what I currently look for and have on my shopping list. That’s the Caucasian carpet. Ok, it does not have to be huge one that you will put on the floor in your living room. Additionally, it may stand out a bit among other gifts under your Christmas tree. You can buy smaller carpets that you can put under your bed or hang on the wall as a house décor. If we are being listened by anyone who would like to make me a Christmas gift from Caucasus, this is what I will be overwhelmed with joy to get. In my opinion the carpets from the Caucasus are just beautiful, often hand-made. What is worth mentioning they are not as such expensive as you may think, specially if you choose a small one.
What if you have a bigger budget for a Christmas gift from Caucasus?
There is one thing each person passionate about Caucasus will be excited to get. It’s the trip to the Caucasus! Therefore it may be a plane ticket, an open one for example. In such a case the person receiving the present may choose on their own when they want to spend fantastic time in the Caucasus. Other option is the trip voucher, if you prefer organized trips not backpackers style travel. Alternative can be the voucher for a stay in a hotel or guesthouse. If it fits your budget, I do encourage you to think about those options.
Have you already chosen the Christmas presents?
Maybe you have chosen some a Christmas gift from Caucasus? I do hope some of the ideas you liked or they at least inspired you to choose something else. So you are not left empty handed. In this whole Christmas hustle do not forget what is presents-giving all about. The fact that you spend time choosing something nice and personalized for the other person is what matters the most. Of course, let us know what have you chosen. Let us know in comments or subscribe to our newsletter The Caucasian Mail and drop me an e-mail. Additionally, if you like our series, let us know by liking it or following us. We are on Facebook and Instagram or you can go directly to our website – the link you can find in the description. If you liked this episode, you may also share it with your friends. It will help us a lot in connecting with other fans of the region.
Thanks for today and see you in the next episode!