The best Souvenirs from Morocco

The best Souvenirs from Morocco

The best Souvenirs from Morocco: The souks of Morocco are brimming with the perfect gifts for your guests. Whether you’re looking for something small for Christmas or something a little larger to throw into Santa’s sleigh, you’re sure to have a great party with unique, often handmade gifts.

THE SOUVENIR GIFT LIST :

Black soap (Savon Beldi) – This natural olive-based soap is an ideal gift for those who like to be pampered. It’s the soap most associated with Morocco. It’s a 100% organic, all-natural cleansing solution that leaves skin soft and slippery. Easily found for less than 20 dirhams. Remember to add essential oils, such as eucalyptus.

Clay (Rhassoul) – The clay used in Morocco’s hammams (public baths) really firms your skin. It’s a treatment generally performed after black soap to really tighten the skin. You can get a good quantity for 10 dirhams.

Soap dishes – Moroccan potters do a fantastic job of hand-painting their work, adding an artistic touch to any bathroom. Also consider small bottles to hold shampoos and conditioners. Approx. 50 dirhams.

Scrubbing glove (kis) – Easily found in medinas in most stores selling spa products. Ideal for deep cleansing. 5 to 10 dirhams.

Rose water – Produced in Kalaat M’gouna, near the Dades Valley, Moroccan rose water is renowned throughout the Mediterranean. Tone your skin after a facial, remove make-up or use it to cleanse your face. Rosewater is also used in fever compresses. A biologically friendly stocking stuffer found for around 15 dirhams.

Argan oil – The unroasted version of moisturizing argan oil originated in Morocco and is a long-kept beauty secret. Use it in your hair for a brilliant shine and on your skin to reduce imperfections. Small bottles retail for around 50 dirhams.

THE SOUVENIR GIFT LIST: FOR THE HOME:

Rugs – It’s hard not to be enchanted by hand-woven Moroccan rugs. If you really want that rug that unites the room, be prepared to spend an hour or two, and from 500 dirhams. Most standard Moroccan rugs measure 2 mx 3 m and will cost you between 800 and 2,500 dirhams. Instead of buying in the medina, consider buying from a women’s cooperative or the local market. For a smaller, more economical Moroccan touch, consider buying pillowcases instead. These are also decorative and usually cost 200 dirhams or less.

Painted furniture – You might first encounter intricately painted furniture in a riad or possibly a restaurant. They feature geometric patterns with color combinations for every palate. You can easily find cabinets, desks, chairs and tables in any medina.

Wicker baskets – Wicker baskets and furniture are a big hit in Morocco. Small, hand-woven baskets can make a great eco-friendly gift package for wrapping your other goodies (think Moroccan gift baskets for your aunts and uncles!), While larger baskets could be considered for a chic laundry hamper. 10 dirhams for a small basket, while larger baskets will probably run you around 100 dirhams.

Art – Whether at the art digs in Assilah or the artisans’ cooperative in Ouarzazate, you’ll find paintings and sculptures to suit all tastes and budgets. Small sculptures and paintings can be had for 50 dirhams (or sometimes less). Larger pieces could cost a few thousand dirhams.

THE LIST OF SOUVENIR GIFTS:

Spices – For cooks or chefs, consider packing some of Morocco’s incredible spices. Cost varies according to type and quality. Good Taliouine saffron can be had for less than 10 dirhams a gram. For almost all spices, it’s best to say how much you want in dirhams. Arrangement One spice, five dirhams, or ten dirhams. You’ll often be surprised by the quantity.

Tajines – Tajines are large conical clay pots. They are identified worldwide with Moroccan cuisine. You should pay around 25 to 40 dirhams for a terracotta tagine, depending on size. Enamelled decorated tagines cost more, but are intended for decoration only. As they may contain lead, they should not be used to prepare or serve food. You can also find tiny two- or three-piece tagine sets, perfect for serving salt, pepper and cumin (20-30 dirhams).

Teapots – Perhaps more famous than the tagine, Moroccan mint tea is also known the world over. Traditional Moroccan teapots are decorative, all-metal pots that can withstand the heat of a direct flame. Teapots range from 100 to 300 dirhams, depending on size. Don’t forget to give your teapot a packet of freshly picked mint.

The best Souvenirs from Morocco

The best Souvenirs from Morocco: Wooden spoons – An excellent storage tool for cooks of all levels. These spoons and spatulas will help protect precious pots and pans. Hand-carved from local woods, they can be kept in any souk for 5 to 10 dirhams.

Ceramics – Decorative plates and bowls, generally from Fez and Safi, will cost from 40 dirhams (small plate or bowl) to 250 dirhams (large plate or bowl). Some Fès bowls, featuring heavier white clay motifs and blue and green flowers, can cost 400 dirhams or more.

Argan oil – Not to be confused with argan oil for use on the skin, the roasted version of argan oil is intended for use with fruit, salads and allows creative chefs to add a distinctive nutty flavor to their dishes. Try to buy it from a women’s cooperative around Essaouira for the best quality. A small bottle will usually cost around 50 dirhams.

Amlou – A delicious blend of argan nuts and almonds (or sometimes peanuts) and occasionally mixed with honey, amlou is Morocco’s answer to peanut butter. A good choice for a special Moroccan touch to your breakfast. Small bottles cost around 80 dirhams.

THE LIST OF SOUVENIR GIFTS:

Wooden toys – Handcrafted by Middle and High Atlas artisans, wooden toys are a Moroccan staple. Whether you’re looking for a motorcycle, a car or a train, chances are you’ll find it in one of the souks. 50 to 150 dirhams.

Handmade games – Die, dominoes and chess dominate the handmade games found in the medinas. Carved from cedar and citrus wood or carved from stone, these games are easily found in old medinas. A set of 5 dice in a wooden box can be found for around 25 dirhams, while a stone chess set will cost between 200 and 250 dirhams.

Fossils – Previously, Morocco was a sea floor. The retreating ice of the last Ice Age hollowed out some of its valleys, revealing fossil-rich soil. These fossils can be found along the roads and in many villages east of the mountains. 5 dirhams or more for an excellent educational stocking stuffer.

THE SOUVENIR GIFT LIST:

The best Souvenirs from Morocco: Moroccan Babouche ( belghas or babouches ) – The perfect “around the house” slipper with that Moroccan touch. House slippers typically cost 50 dirhams and 100 dirhams for the rubber-soled outdoor versions. Beware of slippers with paper soles, which will wear out quickly. Tafraoute’s more ornate embroidered slippers generally cost around 150 dirhams.

Silver jewelry – Tiznit is the town most associated with silver, although you can find jewelry stores in almost every medina in Morocco. There are modern styles, but for a touch of traditional Morocco, consider large Berber fibulas, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Silver jewelry is sold in Morocco by the gram. 25-30 dirhams per gram is reasonable. Sterling silver will carry the number 925. All others are of varying quality and should be considerably less.

Leather bags – Fez leatherworkers have been plying their trade for over a thousand years. Over the years, styles have changed with the times. Ideal for avant-garde fashionistas and fusion-minded types. Leather bags can be found in different sizes, for him or her, for 200 dirhams or more, while laptop bags cost 400 dirhams or more.