Amman, Nov. 29 (Petra) – In a small workshop tucked away in an Amman apartment, the faint scent of soy wax lingers in the air. Golden light flickers across the room as a candle burns slowly, deliberately, almost as if reluctant to end. For Ayah Ibdah, the founder of Violet Candles, each flame is a meditation, a moment of care captured in wax. Her candles are more than gifts – they are experiences, imbued with fragrance, warmth, and the quiet persistence of human attention.

"I want people to feel the moment," Ibdah says, her fingers smoothing the edges of a freshly molded candle. "It’s not just about giving an object. It’s about giving a memory, something that stays with someone long after the day has passed."

Ibdah is part of a growing wave of Jordanian women transforming everyday materials into meaningful, handcrafted gifts. Across the country, these entrepreneurs are turning glass, yarn, paper, clay, and scent into objects of art and sentiment. From personalized glassware and crocheted dolls to scented stones shaped into flowers, each piece carries its maker’s individuality, effort, and imagination.

"Handmade gifts carry a story," explains Dr. Amer Al-Awartani, a sociologist who studies Jordanian consumer culture. "They are deliberate acts of care, a way to honor achievement and preserve connection. In a market dominated by mass production, they are rare, precious, and deeply human."

Crafting Memories

For Amani Badran, owner of GAZAZ, painting glassware is a labor of love. Each cup, plate, or decorative object is infused with messages, patterns, and motifs that echo personal histories. Some of her customers commission pieces to commemorate weddings, graduations, or the birth of a child. "Every line I paint has to carry meaning," Badran says. "I want the person receiving it to feel seen, celebrated, and remembered."

Meanwhile, Hiba Al-Qadi’s Hiba’s Crochet Dolls take hours, sometimes days, of meticulous stitching. Every doll is unique – her crochet hook bending and looping threads into lifelike figures, carefully colored and dressed to capture a personal story. "I want people to know that time was spent on them," Al-Qadi says. "The gift is a gesture, but it’s also a piece of art."

Arwa Abu Shaqra’s Lazord Stones merges creativity with olfactory memory. Her scented stones, shaped into vibrant flowers, combine color, texture, and fragrance to evoke emotion. Each flower is meant to "speak" to the recipient, sending messages of love, gratitude, or appreciation through sight and scent.

These women are not merely creating products; they are crafting experiences. Each gift carries layers of intention, design, and care – a sharp contrast to mass-produced items that often lack personal resonance.

Psychology of the Handmade

The impact of these gifts extends beyond aesthetics. Dr. Wijdan Al-Karkhi, director of the Queen Rania Center for Educational and Psychological Studies, explains that the value of a handmade gift lies in the perception of effort and thoughtfulness.

"When someone receives a handmade gift," Al-Karkhi says, "they recognize that someone invested time, attention, and emotion. This produces a profound sense of validation, reinforces personal bonds, and enhances self-esteem. The recipient feels honored, appreciated, and celebrated in a way that a generic gift cannot replicate."

This emotional resonance is particularly evident in gifts for students graduating from high school or university. A hand-painted notebook or a personalized crocheted doll is not merely a token; it is a tangible acknowledgment of achievement, perseverance, and success. "These gifts become markers of accomplishment," Al-Karkhi notes, "and they are associated with the recipient’s own narrative of effort, patience, and pride."

Economic and Social Dimensions

Handmade gift-making is also a lifeline for many women in Jordan. Small-scale home workshops allow them to generate income while balancing family responsibilities, navigating a labor market that often offers limited opportunities for women. By combining traditional crafts with modern entrepreneurial techniques, these women are building micro-enterprises that have real economic impact.

Social networks and digital platforms play a key role in extending their reach. Many artisans market their products via social media, school bazaars, or local gift shops. Collaborative networks among women also help reduce costs, increase production efficiency, and share marketing expertise.

"These are not just hobbies – they are businesses," Dr. Al-Awartani says. "Each project is carefully managed, from material sourcing to pricing, production, and delivery. These women are strategic, creative, and entrepreneurial, often turning what began as a passion into a sustainable source of income."

The economic benefits extend beyond the individual. By supporting handmade gifts, consumers are investing in local craft traditions, fostering a culture of creativity, and helping to sustain small-scale production in a country where large-scale industrial manufacturing dominates.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation

The appeal of handmade gifts lies in their ability to blend tradition and modernity. Paper and fabric flowers, crocheted dolls, and hand-painted glassware often carry a distinctly Jordanian aesthetic while incorporating contemporary design sensibilities. Buyers, particularly younger generations, are drawn to products that combine artisanal quality with personal expression, merging nostalgia and novelty.

Dr. Al-Karkhi emphasizes the broader social implications. "Handmade gifts cultivate generosity, thoughtfulness, and emotional intelligence. They remind us of the human value of effort and care, countering the impersonal nature of mass consumption."

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the growing popularity of handmade gifts, artisans face challenges. Accessing broader markets, competing with low-cost mass-produced goods, and maintaining quality while scaling production are constant pressures. Experts stress the importance of smart marketing, collaboration, and innovation.

"Success depends on attention to detail, product quality, creative design, and intelligent promotion," says economic analyst Dr. Qassem Al-Hamouri. "Digital marketing, local exhibitions, and partnerships with gift shops can help artisans reach more consumers and establish their brand."

The economic, social, and emotional value of these handmade creations is undeniable. A candle that burns slowly, a doll meticulously stitched, a glass cup delicately painted they are more than gifts; – they are vessels of memory, care, and human connection. In the hands of Jordanian women, these gifts have become both an art form and a means of empowerment.

A Lasting Legacy

In a world increasingly dominated by consumption, speed, and convenience, Jordanian women are reclaiming the art of giving. Each handmade gift reflects thought, labor, and intention – tangible testament to human connection and creativity.

"These gifts carry pieces of our souls," Ibdah says, gesturing to her candles. "They remind people that beauty, effort, and care still matter. They are our way of celebrating life’s moments, our loved ones, and ourselves."

In the end, the value of these gifts cannot be measured solely in monetary terms. They represent an enduring human truth: that time, attention, and creativity invested in another person can create memories that outlast the object itself. For Jordanian women, the act of giving has become a form of artistry, entrepreneurship, and social impact – all flickering in the warm, fragrant glow of a simple candle.

//Petra// AA


29/11/2025 13:15:50