Packed as a gift: A new year with a wish for change

The Tishrei holidays, especially Rosh Hashanah, symbolize renewal and reflection. However, this year, under the shadow of war and missing loved ones, the holiday atmosphere feels different and difficult. Last year, our biggest worry might have been waiting for our gifts to be wrapped with a receipt attached. This year, we’re all hoping for a receipt to return the whole year.

Many of us are experiencing pain, worry, and loss, and every apple dipped in honey takes on a different meaning—a sweetness that seems almost unreachable against the backdrop of a frustrating reality. Yet, even in tough times, we can still take on the challenge of hope and faith, get closer to our loved ones, and instill a spirit of optimism for a better year. Holiday gifts, in this sense, take on a deeper meaning as they represent support, warmth, and a small smile in a time when we all need it.

1. Coffee Lovers, Unite!

Anyone familiar with the IDF's "coffee kit" knows it’s not just popular with soldiers but also with reservists, backpackers, and hikers. One of the dear souls we lost, Captain Dekel Suissa z"l, had a special ritual for making coffee in nature. Suissa, a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade's 13th Battalion, was killed during the Black Saturday terror attack. To honor his memory, his family launched a special initiative: "Coffee Kit," a unique black coffee liqueur. The proceeds from its sales are donated to soldiers. Suissa's aunt, Edna Youngstein, along with her son Gal, crafted the liqueur, which has a fruity and chocolatey aroma with a long black coffee finish. Youngstein also designed the bottle’s label, featuring Suissa’s signature saying: "Don't forget to smile when you wake up."

Price: NIS 100 per bottle, including delivery to a pick-up point (30 NIS extra for home delivery).

Available at: https://morning-shops.com/LaShaker

2. Eternal Sunshine in Royal Jelly

Lynn Daphne, 22, was tragically killed during the terror attack at the music festival in Kibbutz Re'im. After days of uncertainty, her family received the heartbreaking news that she and her best friend, Ziv Frankel, were murdered together. Lynn's mother, Ilil, recalls the inspiration to commemorate her daughter through pure honey: "A friend mentioned the name 'Lin's Farm,' and it immediately felt right to create something in her memory," she shares. Yossi Zohar, project manager at Lin's Farm in Kfar Bilu, joined the effort, and within two months, wildflower honey jars were produced with a custom label bearing Lynn's image, an inspiring quote, and the sun tattoo from her arm, which her mother later got in her honor. "Lynn loved the sun, the sea, and sunsets, and commemorating her through honey helps us continue spreading her light," says Ilil.

Price: NIS 12.40 for a wildflower honey jar; from NIS 69 for a honey and wine gift set, with the option to swap the honey for "Lynn’s Honey."

Available at: The farm's website

3. "Orange Israel" – Support Israeli Businesses

A superhero mug from Darling boutique (credit: Noy Oded)

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank has created a special platform following the outbreak of the "Iron Swords" war. It supports 450 businesses affected by the security situation and also offers a platform for reservists’ businesses. The bank’s "Orange Israel" digital marketplace invites the public to purchase holiday gifts, helping to strengthen the local economy by supporting businesses in the north and south of Israel. Among the offerings are honey from a beekeeping farm in Sde Eliezer, skincare products from Kibbutz Yiftach, plants from Elifelet nursery, catering services from Kiryat Shmona, and a superhero mug from Darling boutique, owned by Michal and Avigdor Schatz. When the war began, Avigdor, a tank officer, was called up for four months, leaving Michal at home with their five children, causing their business to temporarily shut down. Later, Michal also enlisted in the emergency media response unit, and just before the holidays, Avigdor was called up again.

Price: NIS 45 for the superhero mug

Available at: https://darling-home.co.il

4. Cheers to the Kids

A gift set for the benefit of Schneider Children's Medical Center (credit: Our Children Foundation )

The "Our Children" association, a friends' organization of Schneider Children's Medical Center, launched special holiday gift sets that allow you to combine holiday joy with doing good. Purchasing these sets not only adds to your personal celebration but also directly contributes to essential causes like acquiring advanced medical equipment, supporting medical research, and assisting the caregiving staff. The association works to improve the well-being of sick children and their families while promoting high-quality care at Schneider, ensuring that children receive the best and most advanced treatment.

Price: Starting at NIS 78 per gift set

Available at: The foundation’s website

5. Timeless Planters

EVA METAL Studio, located in Jaffa's flea market, is a unique Israeli metal design studio. Owned by Rotem Basharan, an operations officer in the Nahal Brigade reserves, who has served six months since the war began, the studio boasts a team of Israeli designers, graduates of Shenkar and HIT, who create original and custom-made designs. The gallery and website feature a wide range of home and office decor items, including unique decorative elements like the timeless planter that requires no watering.

Price: NIS 199 instead of NIS 240

Available at: The gallery at 9 Rabbi Hanina Street, Jaffa

6. A Sweet Year with Chocolate

Max Brenner (credit: courtesy of the brand)

As many of us have turned to emotional eating during the recent events, the holiday presents a chance to sweeten the bitter pill with a festive gift box from Max Brenner, in collaboration with ALUT (The Israeli Society for Autistic Children). The special holiday box, featuring Max Brenner’s renowned chocolates, also includes a unique calendar adorned with drawings by children from the south and north.

Prices: NIS 175 for the ULTIMATE HOLIDAY box, including handmade pralines, Chinese pecans coated in nougat, cereal balls, and premium chocolate with cashew and caramel shards; NIS 224 for the ART MEDIUM box with pralines, dark chocolate-covered Chinese pecans, and caramel almonds coated in nougat; and NIS 229 for the THANK YOU BOX with peanut butter chocolates, cereal balls, and milk chocolate with cashew and caramel shards.

7. Relaxing Scent Diffuser from SABON

SABON's scent diffuser (credit: RONEN MENAGEN)

To celebrate the new year, the international brand SABON has launched "The Little Marvels of Paris" collection, combining refreshing Parisian fragrances in a limited edition. One of the standout products is the Sunny Cocktail scent diffuser, featuring organic linden blossom extract known for its calming properties. The diffuser promises to create a summery and joyful atmosphere in any space, while providing a sense of relaxation for both body and soul.

Price: NIS 199

8. Flowers Like No Other

Here’s something you probably haven’t received before: flower bouquets made entirely of 100% scented soap. Boutique studio "Soap Opera" offers a unique gift in the form of a vibrant, solid flower bouquet with an addictive fragrance that will never wither—though it might dissolve in water. The flower heads are sculpted from soap infused with aromatic oils, giving the perfect bouquet a soothing and pleasant aroma.

Price: Starting at NIS 210

Available at: The "Soap Opera" website: www.soap-opera.co.il

9. Haydi, Gifts

Entrepreneur Vered Cohen, who left a career in advertising to pursue her passion for design, brings a collection of unique items from around the world for those who’ve given up on overseas vacations this year. The special Rosh Hashanah gift boxes feature gourmet delicacies, preserves, and wines from the north and south of Israel, supporting local businesses, with the option for bulk purchases for organizations.

Example prices: Vineyard Delights Box – two Adir Winery wines, a jar of meringues, two ambiance candles, a quality tablecloth, and pomegranate decorations for NIS 379; Colorful Hosting Set – ceramic plate, kitchen towel, cookbook, onion jam, olive oil for NIS 279.

Available at: www.haydi.co.il

10. That we may be a head and not a tail

The ''Nemo'' concrete trivet (credit: Graciela Noemi Designs)

Graciela Noemi Imbindarov, a multidisciplinary artist, designs contemporary decorative objects and modern Judaica in her studio, "Graciela Noemi Design." Each piece is handmade in small series, making every item unique. The "Nemo" concrete trivet serves as a base for hot dishes and incorporates colorful elements such as hearts or bubbles made of epoxy resin.

Price: NIS 270 (Dimensions: Tray 16x25 cm, Weight: 360 grams).

Available at: www.graciela-noemi.com

11. A Communal Vase Instead of a Water Bottle

a designed decanter from Golf & Co (credit: IDAN MALKA)

Instead of using large branded water bottles, try incorporating an elegant gift on the holiday table: a designed decanter with a round glass stopper. You can pour wine or pomegranate liqueur into it, and enjoy a festive, stylish table without distractions.

Price: NIS 94.5, instead of NIS 189.

Available at: Golf & Co stores.

12. Turning Lemons into Lemonade

At Happy Lemon, they’ve prepared holiday packages based on the store's best-selling items. Among them are white ceramic candlesticks with geometric shapes, honeycomb-patterned candles, serving bowls adorned with ethnic and oriental designs, and fragrance diffusers. These will give hosts (and buyers) a sense of "business as usual," which may help boost their mood.

Price: NIS 149.90 for selected packages.

Available at: Happy Lemon stores.

13. Not Just Another Vase

Designer Marie Michielssen creates home decor items, including sculptural ceramic vases with remarkable contrast and fluidity. Michielssen, who has a deep connection to paper that developed during her graphic design studies, chose it as an inspiration, seeing it as a flexible and accessible material that allows for unlimited creative freedom. Her eclectic vases are a symbol of prominence and inspiration during difficult and chaotic times.

Price: From NIS 310.

Available at: Habitat stores.

14. Relieve the Stress

OH!GLOW offers a variety of community- and environmentally-friendly gifts, perfect for home decoration and renewal ahead of the holidays. The anti-stress kit by AROMA HOME seems like a fitting gift for these times. The kit includes products based on essential oils of orange, patchouli, and ylang-ylang, which help alleviate feelings of stress. You can spray them on your pillow or apply them to your pulse points. The Harmony diffuser is another gift idea that comes with fragrance. Its compact and designed appearance, along with USB connectivity, allows the device to emit light (LED) and fragrance in the home or office for two consecutive hours.

Price: NIS 99 for the anti-stress kit; NIS 145 for the diffuser.

Available at: www.ohglow.co.il

15. A Year of a Bear or a Year of Honey?

KARE is an international design brand known for its unique, playful, and statement-making decorative items. This year, you can bring a cheerful yellow lemon vase to the holiday dinner or opt for a sturdy bear holding coaster sets.

Price: NIS 69 for the coasters; starting at NIS 669 for the vase (holiday discounts of up to 35% on selected items).

Available at: Moshe Levi 11, Rishon Lezion showroom, www.kare-design.com

16. The Gift to Conclude the Holiday Meal

Gin and Tea TLAB (credit: Linoy and Dror)

The T LAB concept store, by Wissotzky, combines 170 years of tea expertise and offers designed gift sets that include a rich selection of teas and infusions from premium plantations worldwide. Among the sets and gifts: an Israeli-inspired set with desert and Galilee infusions, designed mugs, loose-leaf tea, a jar of honey, and more.

Sample prices: Gin & Tea set combining gin infused with tea, tonic bottles, and serving glasses, NIS 189; tea tasting set with sachets in a variety of flavors and blooming tea flowers, NIS 139.

Available at: The concept store at 103 Hahashmonaim Street, Tel Aviv, or on the Wissotzky T Lab website.

17. Seeing the Light

These may not be exactly Independence Day celebrations, but these days bring us all together with a message of unity and love for the country. The electrical and lighting chain Erco launched special LED bulbs with the Star of David symbol and the words "Am Yisrael Chai", which you can screw into your home's designed lighting fixtures for a bright and powerful front.

Price: NIS 9 for a Star of David LED bulb in white or blue light; NIS 29 for a LED bulb with "Am Yisrael Chai" inscription.

18. The Watchdog of the Holiday

At the Gentleman gift store chain, they offer gifts with a playful twist, combining aesthetics with functionality. Instead of carrying your wine bottle by hand, try the stand shaped like a black and elegant bulldog, wearing golden sunglasses and a matching bow tie.

Price: NIS 149.

Available at: Gentleman stores and online at www.gentleman.co.il

Packed as a gift: A new year with a wish for change

The past year has made it hard to celebrate wholeheartedly, but the new year brings a message of hope.