Okay, fellow travellers and future Hebron visitors, here is a good news: Hebron is very affordable. Food, tee-shirts, scarfs, drinks, souvenirs... everything tends to be cheaper here than in Jerusalem. This fact makes Hebron a good place to buy presents and souvenirs from your trip in the Middle East.
So... where should you buy souvenirs and gifts?
Well, you will have plenty of choice.
Small shops owned by Arab families can be found both in old Hebron and new Hebron. These shops are operated by the family's men, and selling all kinds of things (tee-shirts, magnets, scarfs, posters, etc). It is likely that the owners, standing at the front of their store, will scream "hello!" to you, hoping that you'll stop and do business with them. Usually, prices for the merchandise for sale will not be marked in these stores. You have to ask for it. If you're interested in buying something, do not accept the first price that the merchant will tell you. Instead, negociate it down. By doing so, you are not being offensive or stingy, you're just complying with a regional custom of haggling.
There is always room for negociating the price down. And the merchant might actually be somewhat offended if you just accept his first price and pay it right away. It can be fun, and many people who are not used to this custom will find it enjoyable.
If, however, you do not feel comfortable playing the haggling game, there is a gift shop at a tourists' venue called the Gutnick Center. The Gutnick Center is located at the foot of the Cave of Patriarchs. Prices are marked there; no haggling is expected. This store is small, and might not offer everything that you wish to bring home. It has some nice items that are worth checking out, though.
Just like most other souvenir shops, the Gutnick Center's gift shop has hamsa amulets for sale- the hand-shaped symbol for good luck. It is also called Hand of Fatima by Muslims, Hand of Mary by levantine Christians, and Hand of Myriam by Jews.
This Hamsa amulet was brought to Europe,
straight from Hebron.
A hamsa is actually a good thing to bring home from Hebron. Symbolically bringing luck and protection from this holy city to your own home... pretty nice, right?
