Asmaa Mohammad
Qamishlo — Preparations for Christmas and New Year celebrations begin with decorating spaces and arranging lighting, setting up the Christmas tree or a central decorative piece, and carefully selecting the colors of ornaments to match the festive atmosphere. This is followed by other details such as preparing sweets and small additions that make the celebration warmer and more joyful, completing the experience so that every occasion becomes a beautiful memory cherished by all.

Promoting the Culture of Handicrafts

Kristina Sahdo’s connection with beads began when she started making simple accessories such as keychains and small letter charms. She says the raw materials she started with were very simple—just threads and beads—but the joy and pleasure she felt in transforming these small pieces into works carrying her personal touch were immense.

She describes her beginnings as “modest,” yet they reflected her passion and love for fine details from an early age. “I have always been keen for everything to be neat and organized, just as I like everything in my daily life to be precise and orderly, with attention to every small detail. I believe that perfection in details is the secret behind the distinction of any work, and that this precision reflects my personality and way of thinking in all aspects of my life.”

For her, handicrafts are not merely about making beautiful objects; they are a reflection of her personality and mindset. She believes that “small details are what make the difference, giving each piece its unique signature and distinguishing it from any other work.”

“I grew up dreaming of having my own space where I could express myself and showcase my abilities and skills.” This was her primary motivation for pursuing handicrafts. She explains that this dream “was not just a passing idea, but a deeply rooted feeling that constantly drives me to seek creativity and excellence, and motivates me to face any challenges that may come my way.”

Although handicrafts may be perceived as simple and accessible to all women, Kristina Sahdo affirms that “this path is not easy, but I continued on it with the support of my family.”

She draws inspiration from social media platforms and follows the latest trends and creative ideas, yet “most of the pieces I create are entirely my own designs. I first imagine them in my mind, carefully organize the stages of production, then execute them step by step, focusing on the finest details to ensure quality and highlight each piece’s uniqueness. For me, every design is an artistic journey that begins with a small idea and ends with a unique piece bearing my personal signature, bringing joy and a sense of exclusivity to whoever owns it.”

New Year celebrations hold special significance for the Syriac community, and for a woman working in decoration, responsibility and work intertwine with the joy of the holiday. Therefore, Kristina Sahdo is keen on meticulous planning to complete her work with the right quality and timing. “I prefer the pieces to be ready well before the holiday—not only for display, but so I can test every detail and fine-tune it precisely, which gives me a sense of achievement and satisfaction.”

She also noted her participation in the exhibition organized as part of the activities marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “This participation carries more than one meaning for me; I feel that my work becomes a message of communication. This experience gave me a wonderful feeling, as every moment I spend preparing and creating is not just work, but a real contribution to spreading beauty and joy among people, and to promoting the culture of handicrafts and appreciation of local art.”

She believes that “every new challenge is an opportunity to learn new skills and improve my abilities. I dream of owning my own shop, which would be a platform to showcase my products on a wider scale. I believe that perseverance and hard work are the keys to success, and that creativity has no limits—it simply needs passion and dedication.”

At a time when women face challenges from their families, Kristina Sahdo shows, through her personal experience, that the moral and financial support a girl receives from her family gives her strength and confidence, igniting determination within her to face challenges regardless of their difficulty. “Thanks to this support, she becomes capable of developing her skills, broadening her horizons, and achieving her big dreams. I feel deeply grateful to my family, who have always been my greatest support. Their presence by my side was not just temporary support, but the cornerstone upon which I built my personality and inner strength.”

Pieces that Carry the Spirit of Every Occasion

Athra Lahdo Bahanan has been working in decoration and event styling for more than ten years. She began her journey in this field at a young age. “My hands used to create handmade pieces and decorate the corners of the house with them, supported by my family’s love and their eagerness to provide everything I needed in terms of raw materials.”

From that moment, a strong desire for creativity grew within her—to transform every idea into an artistic piece that adds beauty and joy to every occasion, whether birthdays, baptisms, births, engagements, or weddings. “I had the opportunity to work in a candle factory, and those around me noticed my talent for decoration and creativity. With this direction, I opened my small project, which became a space where I create and turn every idea into a refined work that suits my taste and the spirit of the occasion, with careful attention to the finest details that give handmade pieces their unique distinction.”

Her field of work is not seasonal but extends throughout the year, as every new occasion requires a special touch. Since complex items such as concrete pieces require sequential stages of casting and drying before final decoration, the family hastens to offer help to ensure quality and craftsmanship.

Athra Lahdo Bahanan considers decoration not merely aesthetic touches, but a language of expressing joy and celebration, and a means of spreading reassurance in people’s hearts. “When one sees the city illuminated with colors and lights, they feel the magic and joy of the holiday, and this spirit spreads to everyone, making the atmosphere of celebration present in every corner of our daily lives.”

Women play a pivotal role in preserving traditions and passing them on to future generations, and Syriac women in particular play this role with creativity and distinction, as was clearly demonstrated through their participation in the exhibition organized as part of the activities against violence toward women.

She expressed her hope that the new year would be a year of goodness for everyone, and for all women who work hard and passionately, so that they may reach the success they aspire to.

Confectionery: A Continuously Renewing Field

Anahid Youssef also carries a constant passion for creativity and diligent work in making the finest sweets and dried fruits. She says about her beginnings, “I made various types of sweets, and those who tasted them encouraged me to turn this work into a project. Thus, in 2019, I launched my venture in producing dried fruits.”

Over the past years, she has participated in many local and international exhibitions. “Each exhibition gave me an opportunity to strengthen my self-confidence, expand my network, meet new people and skills, and explore diverse innovations. These participations proved that perseverance and diligence are the keys to success, and that active presence in the field establishes reputation and affirms competence. They also helped me develop my creative skills and keep up with everything new in this field.”

The confectionery and fruit innovation sector is continuously evolving, with ideas and innovations emerging every season. “Occasions and holidays are often a source of inspiration for choosing ideas, and among the most prominent of these occasions is Christmas, which represents a celebration of love and peace.”

Anahid Youssef expressed her wish that Christmas be an occasion of peace, love, and joy in every home, filling hearts with hope and faith in humanity’s ability to create and work diligently. “I address a message to every woman: give yourself the opportunity to achieve your dreams, trust in your ability to face challenges, and do not let any obstacle deter you from pursuing your ambitions.”