For unique Christmas gifts in Israel, go to Balian and Sandrouni for hand-painted Armenian ceramics in Jerusalem, the Nahalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Fair in Tel Aviv, the artists' quarter of Old Jaffa, Nazareth's Old Market for olive wood and spices, and the Hutzot HaYotzer arts lane by Jerusalem's Old City walls.
Hand-painted Armenian tiles and pottery since 1922.
The Balian family has hand-painted Armenian ceramics in Jerusalem for more than a century, from plates and bowls to tile murals.
A beautiful, lasting gift.
Good to know: Ask to see the workshop where the pieces are painted.
Armenian ceramics from a family workshop in the Old City.
Sandrouni's shop sells hand-painted Armenian pottery and tiles made by the family's artists.
Pieces range from small coasters to large plates.
Good to know: Small tiles and coasters pack easily in a suitcase.
Tel Aviv's twice-weekly fair of local artists and makers.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, artists set up stalls along the Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian street selling jewellery, ceramics, Judaica, prints and toys they made themselves.
It runs beside the Carmel Market.
Good to know: Go on Friday morning for the most stalls, then eat in the Carmel Market.
Galleries and studios in the stone alleys of Old Jaffa.
Old Jaffa's alleys, named after the signs of the zodiac, are home to galleries and artists' studios selling jewellery, art and sculpture, including Frank Meisler's whimsical metal pieces.
Lovely for a slow afternoon of gift hunting.
Good to know: End at the Jaffa Port promenade for the sunset.
Olive wood, spices and sweets in Nazareth's souk.
Nazareth's Old Market around the White Mosque and the Basilica sells olive-wood carvings, spices, coffee and sweets, and it gets especially festive in December.
Pair it with the Christmas market at Mary's Well.
Good to know: Try knafeh at one of the market's sweet shops.
An arts-and-crafts lane facing the Old City walls.
Hutzot HaYotzer, the Arts and Crafts Lane below Jaffa Gate, has studios and galleries of jewellers, glass artists and Judaica makers.
Close to the Old City's Christmas markets.
Good to know: Walk up to Jaffa Gate and the Christian Quarter afterwards.
Armenian ceramics, olive-wood nativity sets and ornaments, Dead Sea cosmetics, local wine and olive oil, and handmade jewellery from Nahalat Binyamin.
In Nazareth's Old Market and the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. Many pieces are carved in Bethlehem.
Yes, at participating shops, on purchases above a minimum spend; claim at Ben Gurion Airport before you fly.
Yes, most are, because December 25 is a working day. Christian-owned shops in Nazareth and the Old City may close.