Monitoring Desk
JEDDAH/RIYADH: Christmas shopping in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is unrecognizable compared to just a few years ago, reflecting both the scope and speed of the social transformation and growing religious tolerance in the country.
These days, Christmas gifts and decorations can be found easily in many of the country’s markets and shopping malls, with snowmen in Jeddah, Christmas tree in Riyadh, and Santa Claus putting in the showcases in Al-Khobar, Arab News reported on Sunday.
As the growing number of expatriates choose to make the Kingdom their home, the government’s policy to move the country toward a moderate and open Islam has created an atmosphere that is warmly receiving other traditions and faiths.
The transformation has also allowed e-commerce platforms and local retailers to sell a broader scope of products to those who want to join the Christmas celebrations.
Christmas items are selling in good quantities this year and are in high demand in the Kingdom, a Saudi marketing professional, Wejdan Al-Khatabi, told Arab News.
The Napco National in Jeddah’s worker added that she worked in an environment where 70% of the employees were Christian.
She said that some of these workers celebrate religious festivals in their home countries, and some celebrate here. In previous years, they used to complain about the absence of celebration vibes and products in Saudi Arabia, but today they can celebrate with a full winter set.
Al-Khatabi further said that she and her daughter enjoyed decorating a Christmas tree at the home of her Christian friend in Jeddah.
E-commerce helps Christian household to celebrate Christmas
The growth of e-commerce has made it easy for Christian households to get decorations and gifts and share their traditions with Muslim neighbors and friends openly.
A Lebanese expatriate living in the Kingdom, Alain Karam, seconded Al-khatabni, saying that finding Christmas gifts and decorations in the stores in Saudi Arabia is much easier than it had been in past years.
She said that previously, decorations and gifts were available in specific hidden locations in the Kingdom as it was not allowed. Still, they are now available in nearby shops and shopping malls.
Alain Karam told Arab News that she used to go to Christmas markets in embassies where the decorations would be available. But now, some town restaurants and cafes are transformed into winter wonderlands full of Christmas gifts and decorations.
Bateel, a store, and café that offers organic luxury gifts and organic Saudi dates, has launched a new collection of star and elegant tree-shaped gift boxes containing stuffed dates or chocolates decorated in green, red, gold, and white.
A Jordanian based in Jeddah, Naema Al-Sabea, told Arab News that she is welcoming Christmas this year with a full winter set, including snowmen, an electric chimney, glittering ornaments, and a traditional tree.
She said these items could be found online on Instagram accounts in the Kingdom.
