The month of December is finally upon us. The time of year where the air is filled with the smell of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and everyone seems to be in a much happier mood. Whether the joy is due to the upcoming vacation days from work or the holiday spirit, we’ll leave it up to you, but what’s for sure is that there are so many places around the city that have fully embraced the Christmas spirit, and Al Rifai is no different.
So this week, we took a trip down to its Mkalles store to see how the seasonal preparations were going. As we parked in front of the store, the glow from inside the store immediately shone through – how much Christmas was going on inside? As it turns out, quite a lot!
As we walked through the doors, we were welcomed with the joyful sounds of Christmas carols and the inviting smell of freshly roasted nuts in the air. It smelled sweet and delicious. That’s probably because along with the nuts, they were making popnuts; the sweetest concoction of popcorn, caramel and peanuts you’ve ever tasted – which we did…by the handfuls (they’re pretty generous with their samples!).
So with some popnuts in hand, we took to discovering the store and how Christmas had taken over. At once you notice the sparkling Christmas lights, sprinkled all over the store – inside glass bells, on the tips of branches of trees that seem to glisten like magical snow. In every corner, there’s a taste of the holidays – but what occurs to you, is that somehow Christmas at Al Rifai is anything but traditional. It’s eclectic and modern, making the vibe feel fresh and exciting.
Special Christmas hampers can be found all over the store. There are so many to choose from, we’re not sure where to start. Some are large and filled to the brim with Al Rifai delicacies and other items that are perfect to celebrate Christmas with. Others are packed with goodies and toys that make them the ideal gift for someone with children. Smaller hampers are also available – these ones are great to take with you to house parties or dinners, or even as a gift for co-workers. We have to confess, seeing these hampers have made us add a few more items to our Christmas lists!
Then, just as we approached another counter, we found another Christmas treasure – limited edition nut mixes, made with the season’s flavors we all wait for! Cinnamon Maple Pecans anyone?
Of course, we couldn’t leave the Mkalles store without noticing that all their Christmas packaging has been adorned with Nutcrackers inviting us to discover his Magical Christmas – but we can’t explain any more – we’ve been sworn to secrecy, so you’ll have to stay tuned next week to find out!
If you’re looking to find all your delicious seasonal gifts and treats, stop by Al Rifai Mkalles and dive into a very nutty Christmas! Happy Holidays everyone!
