Designist Dream

Well tonight’s the first night! So if you haven’t ordered or purchased your Hanukkah gifts yet this year, you’ve got a full eight days to make it happen! And as the holiday gift guide winds to a close, above are four more incredible gift ideas and four more chances to show your love for Israel art and design, give friends and family some awesome presents and look cool yourself all at the same time!
(Clockwise, from top left)

If you lived in Israel, I would not advise buying your man these adorable asimon cuff links. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re pretty cool and old school neato. It’s just that no one really gets that dressed over here – a suit is certainly suitable for most weddings, but be warned that many an Israeli groom dons a white mandarin collared linen shirt and jeans on his special day. And don’t even get me started on what the guests wear. So for all you dressier folk out there, please consider these retro Israeli public phone token cuff links to smarten up your man’s suit. The long-lost asimon of yore has sadly left Israel’s everyday life. Even the public phone cards are soon becoming obsolete in our on-the-go-techno-4G world. But luckily the asimon tokens are still in our vernacular, as the saying still goes, “And then the asimon fell in my head” which translates into: what? *clink* oh I get it now. So recycle an old token and turn it into a meaningful reminder for your man: call me or find me a pay phone! Available here.

So I found these totally awesome personal hygiene cases for women are by Israeli artist three green apples on etsy and it really was like an asimon falling into place. At first I thought the title was a typo – Pursonal Hygeine Case – but then i realized it’s a purse meets personal thing. Smaht (that’s Bostonian for smart). I then I was like, “Ohhhhhhh. Awesome.” I mean, how many women do you know could totally use one of these? Nearly all of my female friends and family. Because when you have to lug some gear to the powder room it requires a bit of improvising – up your sleeve; down a pocket; or into a makeshift tote. But now three green apples offers a range of funky patterned, discreet and functional pursonal cases! Almost makes you want to show it off however inappropriate that may be. Each Pursonal Case has 1 slip pocket and four tampon pockets. Available here on etsy.

Israeli artist Galia Chai has specialized in creating handmade cloth dolls for children and babies since 1995. The beautiful Angel doll featured above is hand embroidered and sewn from high quality fabrics. The colors are muted – not brash and primary – so that the entire doll has an ethereal presence that, included with its optional hanging string, makes for a magical guardian or imaginary friend for your child. For me, holiday times mean family times. And being away from most of my family is very hard, not to mention thinking about family members who are no longer alive. If I could give my daughter one wish this season, it would be for all the angels looking over her from heaven to be able to come down and kiss her, meet her, laugh with her, play with her and just make more memories with her. What an amazing gift that would be – or at least something I could tell her about in a story as Galia Chai’s protective angel us snuggled under her arm as she sleeps. Available here.

Israeli designer and optical illusionist Shahar Peleg does it again: another death defying feat of design for your home. This set of five magnetic vases appears to float above your table since the bottom half is hidden beneath your table. The vases can hold water and are suitable for both real and artificial flowers. Five aluminum vases and five metal bases per pack. Super cool – even appropriate to give a man as a housewarming present for his bachelor pad. My only problem with them is that they seem so delicate both in material and balance and I’m so clumsy sometimes that I just know I’d be knocking these over non stop… I mean, I fell face forward down my best friend’s wedding aisle. It was funny. Much later. But if that’s not in your book of embarrassing moments then these magnetic vases are for you. Available here.