It's the season of fairs

Winter time in Doha is elite. The minute the temperature drops below “boil,” the whole city comes alive. Outdoor seating is dusted off and refreshed, fans are retired, and the gas heater are wheeled out like celebrities. Suddenly there are outdoor activities everywhere — city, desert, beach — it honestly feels like we live in two completely different Dohas: Summer Doha (indoor survival mode) and Winter Doha (let’s be outside forever).

And the absolute best part?
Winter markets and school fairs.

Qatar has a thriving small-business community filled with talented people offering one-of-a-kind homemade, hand-crafted, and beautifully curated imported goods. We fill the little gaps the community didn’t even know it had — and we do it with passion.

But let’s be real… winter markets can be exhausting.
You start planning weeks in advance: inventory, booth design, social media posts, getting change from the bank, setting up digital payments, and of course the glamorous life of loading the car, unloading it, then loading it again, then unloading again — all in one day. A workout disguised as entrepreneurship.

And still… I love it.
This is when I get to put faces to names. Meet the regular clients who cheer me on with encouraging DMs, likes on my stories, and kind words at my table. It’s the time of year when I feel most alive, and the passion for what I do shines through (sometimes brighter than the fairy lights at my booth).

I’m not an educator — just a parent who loves reading, loves books, and tries her best. My “expertise” comes from experience, enthusiasm, and a long list of mistakes (plenty… truly plenty).

But what means the most? The validation from fellow parents who appreciate the quality of my books, even if they don’t find what they need that day. Your support keeps this little business of mine beating with a big, grateful heart.

Thank you, Doha, for another fantastic half-season of fairs.
I can’t wait for all the markets coming in the new year.

Buy small this season.
What small businesses lack in size, we make up for in heart.

Love,
Gul xx