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Shopping in Iran

Iran Shopping: Great Gift Ideas from Iran

Mariam Noronha

Hedayat Little Bazaar, Mashhad, Iran.
Mashhad Bazaar © Sonia Sevilla

A visit to any shopping area in Iran's cities and towns is enough to discover that the country is a shopper's paradise. Here are a few things which could make great gifts for friends and family and are unique to the bazaars of Iran.

Dry Fruits & Saffron

If you thought dry fruits simply meant almonds, pistachios and dates then the wide variety of salted and unsalted dry fruits on offer in every bazaar in the country will tell you there's a lot more to be discovered.

Salted nuts are something Iranians constantly snack on and it could be anything from melon seeds to nuts of every shape and size that are really beyond one's imagination. An assortment of these Persian goodies with a few savories makes a good present to bring back for family and friends from a holiday in Iran.

Saffron is another precious gift that is welcome in anyone's kitchen. The best quality saffron is available in attractive packages and is not really hard to find in most Persian bazaars.

Tehran pistachios, Iran.
Pistachios and other nuts and dried fruits are a favorite souvenir from Iran
Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business.
Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business
Tehran bazaar, Iran.
Carpets for sale in a Tehran bazaar

Sweets and Savories in Iran

"Gez" and "Sohaan" are two Iranian sweets that are very popular and easy to buy from most cities in the country. From plain to enriched with almonds and pistachios they are available in numerous shapes, sizes and gift packs.

Trench Coats and Scarves

The Islamic dress code in Iran makes trench coats and scarves a "must have" for most women visiting Iran. Buying these for use within the country is something you would have to do but they could also make great gifts for your family and friends.

A mind boggling range of trench coats in new styles according to season means that you could get feather weight to woolens and everything in between to go well with a pair of jeans or trousers. Dress it up with colorful scarves in a variety of fabrics.

Tehran bazaar, Iran.
Inside a Tehran bazaar stall

Termeh

"Termeh House" in Tehran stocks the best "Termeh" fabric in the country but you will find shops selling the fabric everywhere. Available in rich colors, interspersed with golden thread, this traditional Iranian woven fabric can be used to make great upholstery, bed spreads and bags.

Artistic Gold and Silver Jewellery

Every shopping area in Iran has a number of jewellery stores where you will find exquisitely crafted jewellery in 18 carat gold. Bangles, pendants and rings are popular buys. The craftsmanship is impeccable and the wares on offer are sure to dazzle you.

If gold is not your style then intricate silver jewellery studded with rubies, emeralds, agate and turquoise is a specialty of Mashhad. Bracelets, pendants and rings are easy to find though finding a variety of earrings could prove to be a challenge.

Gemstones

If you are in Iran then not picking up a few gemstones could be a big mistake. Quality agates, rubies, emeralds, turquoise, mother of pearl, moonstones and many more are on offer at stores across Iran. The shopkeepers are eager to educate you about the benefits and value of these gems. What's more you can choose from just the gemstones to pre-set ones in pendants, rings and bracelets.

Carpets

Hand knotted woolen carpets and rugs are other things you could consider a "must have" from Iran. Rich colors and workmanship make your choice a tad too difficult. If you would like something smaller that's easy to carry then you could opt for wall hangings in traditional and contemporary designs.

Handicrafts & Mementos

Small and inexpensive handicrafts such as miniature paintings, handcrafted wooden boxes, little bottles filled with colorful sand, pot pourie, glass ware, figurines, bed sheets, bags and embroidered change purses and cell phone covers are your options for mementoes. For the religiously inclined there are prayer beads in glass, agates and gun metal and verses from the holy Koran scripted in Persian calligraphy. You can get a good deal at small stores and specialty ones in all major cities.

All in all shopping in Iran's bustling bazaars is a unique experience; the quality wares on offer just make it even more interesting.

Clothes for sale in Tehran, Iran.
Men's jackets for sale in Tehran

Books on Tehran Iran

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