How to choose the perfect Eid gift for everyone you know

The most blessed time of the year is here again! How lucky are we to experience Ramadan again, to seek Allah’s forgiveness, and His boundless mercy! May our hearts be purified, our souls nourished and filled with Allah’s grace. Spreading joy and happiness all around is the greatest aspect of this Holy month, and what better way to do that than giving gifts that are heartfelt and intentional?

Speaking of gift giving, few other things can get as overwhelming for some! Even more so when one has to think of every family member, friend, colleague, neighbour — their likes, dislikes, practicality of the gift, budget — phew! Starting ahead is paramount; especially during major festive times like Eid. And it all begins with a list. Jotting down the names of people is a good way to start. Sort them out in groups of family members, and then make sub-groups like parents, in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, and so on. Get into as much detail as possible to save time and understand the task at hand.

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Start early, like weeks ahead! It’s even better to start a month prior too. That way, one can scour out the best possible options, and avail deals and offers as well. Stick to your list, keep your eyes peeled for things your friends and family might like and start purchasing, so as to get the best gifts. This method also spaces out purchases, making it less of a burden finance-wise, which is usually the case with panic bulk buying at the last minute!

Now let’s get to the nitty gritty, shall we? For parents and in-laws, start with mapping out preferences. For Eid, apparel is usually the first and foremost choice for majority of families. And it’s a great idea because it is the quintessential Eid gift, which pleases one and all. A smart panjabi for the men and saree or kameez for the ladies is a no-brainer. Visit boutiques or shops your parents and in-laws prefer early, to get the best picks during the festive season. Also, exchanges and returns are easiest towards the beginning of Ramadan, which are bound to happen!

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Apart from the obvious gift of clothes, there’s a whole bunch of other options. For tech-savvy parents, smartwatches or smartphones are a great gift. Religious books, comfortable prayer mats also are good options. Subscriptions are also gifts that keep on giving! It could be to a cooking class, understanding the Quran, or learning a new skill. Tickets for a vacation or staycation make for great gifts too. Find out what parents would love; choose something they are not likely to get for themselves and surprise them!

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Siblings, cousins, and friends are easier to shop for, as they’re most likely to let you know what they want! For the ladies, jewellery, perfume, books, luxury make up, and shoes make for splendid gifts. Gents prefer fashion accessories like belts, cool cufflinks, wallets, perfume, and video games too! Other fun things such as scented candles, home fragrance, and home wear are also fantastic gifts. You could choose one, or a curated collection of items.

For the foodie in your life, gourmet food baskets are perfect. You can pick and choose the items yourself, or there are many services that will happily create lovely Eid food gift baskets for you. Try to know what your friend likes and create a curated gift hamper. An amazing coffee hamper, filled with many kinds of coffee beans, mugs, coffee-flavoured snacks, and for that really special touch, a French press for a true coffee lover is the ultimate Eid gift, and will earn you the badge for best gift giver!

Can’t decide what to get for that one picky cousin? A gift certificate is the perfect solution! A win-win for both sides, these certificates let the recipient choose their own gift! Subscriptions are also great; spa, men’s salon, magazine, or food/tea or coffee supplies are a few ideas. This is a gift that will keep giving well beyond Eid season and remind them of your generosity for months! Lastly, always remember, cash is king! When all else fails cold, hard cash in a sweet little envelope, encased with a heartfelt message is surely going to make for the best gift this Eid!