Qatar National Day souvenirs and gift items displayed at a shop. Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah/The Peninsula
Doha: As the country prepares to celebrate the Qatar National Day on December 18, fresh stocks of souvenirs and gift items to mark the day have already hit the market.
This year, the ‘Darb Al Saai’ festivities associated with the Qatar National Day (QND) have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, this year will witness virtual competitions and seminars that will be broadcast on the Doha 360 website.
However, citizens and residents are preparing to mark Qatar National Day in a befitting manner, with homes already being adorned with the National Flag and other items.
Shops are offering various items designed to mark the day, including National flags, stickers, caps, umbrellas, scarves, t-shirts, trousers, jackets, bags, balloons, and more. Another popular QND souvenir is key chains with Qatar flag printed or carved in them.
Sets of car decoration are also available containing car hood cover flag, as well as and Qatar flags in different sizes, which can be attached to cars.
Major commercial outlets have dedicated shelves and corner stores for National Day merchandise.
Shopkeepers said National Day items are attracting a large number of customers, and expect the demand to grow further as the day approaches.
“The most selling items are flags, stickers, badges, and decoration pieces,” said Abdul Hamid Ahmad, in-charge of the decoration section at a shopping centre in Old Airport area.
He said 27 types of ceramic mugs imprinted with national flag and country’s landmarks available at his shop are proving to be a major attraction for customers. Ahmad said: “Most of the customers of National Day items are students. The demand will grow in the coming days. A large number of customers are expected from December 15.”
Several retail outlets operating across the country are showcasing National Day items in large quantities at competitive prices. “We displayed fresh stocks of National Day items — imported as well as those Made-in-Qatar. The items include Qatar flags in different sizes with or without stands, scarves, stickers, and decoration pieces,” said Mohamad Khursheed, a shopkeeper at a major outlet in Al Kharitiyat.
“The prices of items start from as low as QR1.5 and QR2 for stickers, rising to QR50 for sets of car decorations. Most of the items cost from QR5 to QR10,” Khursheed added.
Beautiful dresses, t-shirts, trousers, frocks, hats, and caps in the maroon of the national flag are also on showcase at dedicated areas in major shopping centres.
