Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Albania-Inspired Gifts

From unique handmade fabrics to handy tote bags and inspiring books, these following are perfect Albania-inspired presents to give this Christmas.

A BOOK

If some of your friends want to visit Albania and like to know something about the Balkan country, we suggest some wonderful translated books and collections that will do the trick. From Ismail Kadare’s masterpieces to Sworn Virgin of Elvira Dones, from Free of Lea Ypi to Albania Through Art by Ferid Hudri, you have full of choices. 

MORAVA HONEY

Korça and its surroundings have a longstanding tradition of beekeeping and the extraction of honey. Albanian honey is widely used in traditional food, like petulla with honey and white cheese. Honey Morava is the most famous honey farm in the land of Eagles. You can also organize a farm tour with your family and friends here. 

ARTISTIKE ZADRIMA

Give the gift of style with this handmade shirt by Artistike Zadrima, which will be a staple sartorial item in your friends (or your) wardrobe. The handcrafted shirt is a unique piece and takes inspiration from the tradition, with linen fabric and Albanian patterns. Zadrima region boasts the richest handmade textile traditions in the country. The workshop produce scarves, bags, wallets too. 

RAKI FROM ALPETA AGROTOURISM & WINERY

The most popular Albanian drink is raki, an alcoholic beverage made from distilled spirit, sourced from grapes, peaches, and other fruits. Raki is a great Albanian gift, you can purchase it everywhere in Albania, but one of the best is that from Alpeta Agrotourism and Winery, near Berat.

SOLIDARITY SHOP BERAT

Perfect for shopping and city trips, these tote bags are made by young girls from Berat and sold in Solidarity Shop Berat, a social enterprise that helps generate income for families coming from vulnerable groups. The design is unique as it represents the traditional houses with windows of Berat, one of Albania’s UNESCO heritages. 

SAPUNERI ZADREAM

Lavender, rose, mint, rosemary, sage, pomegranate and other fruits fizz together to create the soaps of Sapuneri ZaDream in Zadrima, north Albania. Inspired by Albanian nature, these soaps are made with organic ingredients and fragrances that remind of floral pergolas, which adorn the homes of this region. 

Featured image: ©Erdiola Mustafaj