GAZA CITY — In Palestinian tradition, when people in the countryside visited each other, they brought along gifts arranged in traditional baskets that also contained a sachet of henna and flowers. The gift was called "talleh," and it inspired a Palestinian entrepreneur, Asmahan Ilian, to develop a successful business to help Palestinian women by providing them employment. Hence Talleh, an online gift platform, is this month one year old.

“The idea for ​​the project was inspired by the longing of Palestinians abroad for something reminiscent of their homeland,” Ilian told Al-Monitor by phone from Jerusalem, where she lives. “I also wanted to use the Palestinian tradition of gift giving.”

Talleh's offerings focus on traditional gifts. Among them are small decorative wooden boxes for holding such items as cigarettes and jewelry, ceramic pots with Middle Eastern motifs and home accessories, such as tablecloths, towels and trays, all handcrafted from local cotton and wood, especially olive wood. Most of the fabrics carry traditional Palestinian designs.

“Thanks to the project, you can get a talleh wherever you are,” she said. “Not all Palestinians abroad can visit their homeland but Talleh can send them traditional gifts to ease their homesickness and nostalgia.”