Dried karkade, spices and dates from Aswan’s stalls; buy whole spices rather than ready-mixed bags.
Alabaster
West Bank workshops carve vases and lamps; real alabaster is heavy and glows when you hold a torch to it.
Nubian crafts
Woven baskets, beadwork and painted wood from the Nubian villages, often sold by the makers.
Cotton
Galabiyas and scarves make light, practical gifts; check labels for real Egyptian cotton.
Ask who made a piece and where. Check materials and shipping. Bargain politely only where invited; respect fixed prices in boutiques and artisan shops. In the souqs, start well below the first price, and avoid “free” tours that end in a shop.