Every tourist returns from holiday with plenty of new impressions, photographs and a suitcase full of souvenirs and gifts for family and friends. Usually, it is never enough time for shopping, and on the last day of their holiday people remember that they were going to buy small presents for their neighbors, who were looking after their cat or a garden, or for their boss, or the colleagues. Not having enough time, they rush to the souvenir shops and buy whatever they see, not caring much if this thing fits a person it is supposed to be given to or what actually this person will do with it.
In French “souvenir” means “memory”. It is supposed that this thing will remind its owner of the place where he bought it from. Looking at some trinket or a fridge magnet you bought being on holiday, you remember how you were choosing it from a small shop next to your hotel, how you bargained with the seller, what his shop smelled like, what music played, and many other things. However, for your friend this trinket is just one more useless thing which he will put to a drawer with dozens others or, at best, give it to his child. So, what can you do to really please our loved ones and bring them something both not too expensive and useful at the same time?
Of course, if you are ready to spend a lot of money on souvenirs and, besides, have a good taste, there is no problem. There are many beautiful lamps, fans, pottering etc. in the souvenir shops. The main thing is if you are going to bring a Turkish souvenir, watch out and do not miss «Made in China» signature.
As for me, one of the best gifts from Turkey is something edible. For example, “Turkish delight” and other sweets. Of course, they can be found in your country, but in Turkey, you have a chance to try them really fresh. It is better to buy them at special shops where they are stored in proper place away from sun. Large selection of «edible souvenirs» can be found in the usual grocery stores. There you’ll find a variety of halva, Turkish delight, dried fruits, which taste can differ from the ones in your country. For your gastronome friends, who like new tastes, you can buy small packages of olives, as well olive paste in small jars («zeytin ezmesi») — chopped olives, which can be spread on bread.
I would not advise to buy apple, cherry, peach, and other “teas”, which are actually just instant drinks, which you mix with hot water. What you really should bring your friends, is so-called Mountain Tea. In Turkish, it is called “Ada çayı” — “Island tea”, and grows only in the Mediterranean area. It looks like a small whisk with yellow cones and can be found at bazaars and in the spice shops. To make a cup of “Mountain Tea”, you need to take one cone, wash it first from pollen, put to a cup and pour boiling water over it. It is more delicious with lemon and sugar.
A nice gift for coffee lovers is a Turkish coffee pot. Turkish people say that the best coffee pots must be made of copper. There are coffee pots in all sizes — from small «personal» to large “family» ones. For true coffee lovers the size of Turkish coffee pot really matters: it must exactly fit the number of cups to be prepared in it. Buying a Turkish coffee pot, do not forget to buy a package of coffee. The most popular brand here is Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi.
Speaking of real Turkish souvenirs, we cannot ignore so-called “Turkish eye” or “Nazar” in Turkish, which means “evil eye”. In Turkey, it can be seen everywhere — from the beads in the bracelet of the children to the huge «dishes» on the facade of the hotels. Superstitious people believe that it protects its owner from the evil eye, so the more you have them, the better. Real “Nazar” must be made out of glass. They say that it takes bad energy upon itself, and at this moment cracks and shatters into pieces. Tourists are offered a wide selection of souvenirs with the “Turkish eye” — from the key rings and fringe magnets to jewelry — “Nazars” in silver and gold.
Olive soap is also a very popular souvenir. Earlier, when there was no shampoo in Turkey, it was used for washing hair. This is an organic product with no chemical fragrances or colorant, and, thanks to olive oil component, has many useful properties. It improves circulation of the scalp and prevents hair loss. Producers of olive soap state that it helps to get rid of the pigment spots and acne, and prevents their appearance. It opens and cleanses the pores, gently cleanses skin, removing dead skin particles. Olive soap makes skin softer and prevents the stretch marks, helps to get rid of dandruff and prevent its occurrence, makes hair silky and shiny. In one word, not a soap, but a miracle! Naturally, in case that it is natural. When using olive soap, keep in mind that it quickly turns mushy in a humid environment, so it is better to be dried each time after using.
Another great souvenir is a scrub mitt, which are used in the Turkish baths. It’s light, compact, pretty cheap and functional. It looks very plain and unattractive — a piece of colorless canvas, sewn in the shape of a purse (that is what it’s called in Turkish — “kese”, or “purse”). Nevertheless, I am sure that fans of sauna will really appreciate your present. Choosing “kese”, pay attention to its stiffness and material, as well as price. A good “kese” costs not cheaper than 5 TL, made of pure cotton of a rough texture and woven in a special way. It must be used without soap after you stay in sauna or under a hot shower and the pores are opened. If you want to use «kese» for your face, you need to choose a softer fabric.
Turkish textile is also can be a good gift for your friends. There are many shops offering quality products for attractive prices. There you will find kitchen and bath towels, terry robes, pajamas, linen tablecloths and napkins, bed linen, blankets and more. The leaders on Turkish home textile market are Özdilek and Taç.
To the fans of household stuff, I also advise to look into the shops with various interesting and useful things. These shops are Turkish variation of the dime stores. There are banners, saying “Ne alırsan 1 lira”, which means, “Everything you buy is 1 lira”. In fact, 1 lira is usually a price just for the stuff, which is exposed outside. Nevertheless, there you can buy an ashtray with a “Turkish eye”, a coffee pot, Turkish tea glasses and spoons and many other useful things much cheaper than if you would buy them in a souvenir shop in Alanya center.
I hope I gave you enough ideas of the useful presents for your friends. Please share your ideas with us. Looking forward to seeing your comments.
Have a good shopping and see you next week.
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