Stay Safe & Support Local Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world over to become innovative when it comes to social distancing and Christmas shopping. Online virtual shopping is now a lifeline for many local artisans who would otherwise have missed out on economic opportunities from the Christmas season.

Al Marji’ Publications has thus extended support to around 40 vendors through its holiday shopping guide in Family Flavours magazine this month featuringlocal products from the virtual Christmas Fair (3-4 December), hosted by Virtual-bazaar.com.

“This year has been challenging,” notes Anastasia Casey, founder of the Virtual Bazaar. “At the beginning of the holiday season, we had to think of safer shopping and a new way of shopping, leading us to create this online interactive platform to provide a ‘real’ shopping experience.”

Hind-Lara Mango, Publisher and Managing Director of Al Marji’ Publications, which produces Family Flavours and Nakahat ‘Ailiyeh, points out that “We partnered with Virtual-bazaar.com to support local businesses and bring the holiday spirit into people’s homes.”

Shoppers can connect withparticipating local vendors virtually via live video calls during the two-day Christmas Fair, with goods delivered the next day in one package. Galleries and the option to contact vendors are open throughout the month of December.