Ramadan is drawing to a close; the annual month-long stint of fasting before Muslims the world over roll out the confetti cannons to celebrate Eid.
It means that those practising will fast from sunrise to sunset, allowing no food or drink to pass their lips until the evening meal of iftar begins after the sun goes down. This year, Ramadan will begin on the evening of March 10 and run until April 9, the date of Eid al-Fitr.
Why do Muslims fast for Ramadan?
The ritual occurs on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is said to be done to bring believers closer to God. Fasting over Ramadan highlights the things that are usually taken for granted - like food and drink (even water).
What happens at Eid?
Following the period of abstaining, Eid will break with huge parties across London and beyond, with plenty of feasting, dancing, and of course, present-exchanging.
While cash stuffed into decorated envelopes is a traditional offering for children and teens (sparing you the headache of working out, finding and wrapping the latest cult toy), if you’re looking for a more thoughtful present to spoil friends and family, we’ve rounded up the best gifts to give right now.
From luxe fragrances and beauty treats to deluxe boxes of dried dates, fruit and chocolate that the whole family can tuck into, there’s something for everyone in our Eid gift guide. There are options galore, whether you’re celebrating in person or want to send a little something straight to their door.
See the best below
Harvey Nichols Eid Sa'id Hamper
If you can't be there in person, send warm wishes from afar with help from Harvey Nicks. The Knightsbridge department store has a trio of Eid-ready hampers ready for delivery. The biggest and best? This Eid Sa'id Hamper nestles packets of luxury tea alongside sweet bites and jars of honey, all stashed in a smart black wicker basket.
Buy now £175.00, Harvey Nichols
Harrods Eid Tuck Box
Good guests know that taking a gift to an Eid party is non-negotiable. Harrods has tasty treats and gourmet goodies wrapped up in its curated Eid tuck box, which comes with a selection of dates, sweet clotted cream fudge and pillowy squares of Turkish Delight, along with tea and roasted coffee. The alcohol-free box plucks the finest teatime fare from Harrods' food hall, making it a winner for any bash.
Want to go bigger? Harrods Halal Celebration hamper (£270) packs in even more, including a bottle of alcohol-free Champagne from Wild Idol.
Buy now £100.00, Harrods
Our Place The Crescent Always Pan
The cult cookware brand has released a new limited edition pan in honour of all the delicious fare that will be whipped up come Eid. The 10-in-1 Always Pan comes in a pistachio green hue with a crescent design on the lid holder, making the perfect gift for the keen home chef - or just a treat to admire for yourself.
Buy now £130.00, Our Place
L'Atelier Nawbar The Mini Lady Sursock 18-karat gold enamel hoop earrings
Haven't been introduced to L'Atelier Nawbar yet? The Lebanese fine jewellery label makes intricate trinkets using precious gems like Mother of Pearl and diamonds to make its pieces shine. For Eid, we'd be thrilled with this pair of mini hoops, structured upon 18K gold frames.
Buy now £850.00, L'Atelier Nawbar
Holy Quran
This hardcover A5 version of the Holy Quran offers a thoughtful gift to Muslim friends and family. Finished with traditional Arabic design and calligraphy, the text is large and easy to read on high-quality paper and has been professionally read by Quran proofreaders to ensure it is error-free.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
Windplusya Muslim Prayer Mat
Available in a variety of pretty colours, this decorated mat is the perfect setting for prayers. The velvet-like plush fabric is easy on the knees and it can be rolled tight for easy transportation. The reverse sports a non-slip finish for extra security on hard surfaces.
Buy now £24.59, Amazon
Farhi Almond Nougat & Almond Selection Gift Box, 990g
Think all nuts are created equal? One bite from Farhi's gift box will have you thinking again. The confectioner presents a luxe selection of white, dark and milk chocolate-covered nuts along with chunks of deliciously chewy almond nougat. A great alternative for those who aren't as keen on dates.
Buy now £35.00, Amazon
Ajouter Store Eid Ramadan Arabic Patience, Taqwa And Faith Candles
If you're looking for a gift that won't break the bank but will still make your recipient's Eid celebrations, look no further than these candles from Ajouter Store. Every step is handcrafted, from the poured soy wax to the Arabic-inscribed jars that translate to patience, faith and taqwa (virtue). Each candle offers 20 hours of burn time with scents including vanilla sandalwood, velvet oud, peony blush and creed.
Buy now £19.99, NOTHS
Shark SmoothStyle Heated Brush and Comb
Everyone deserves good hair days, especially for Eid. Shark's hot brush, the SmoothStyle, can be used on both wet and dry hair, using three temperatures to tame locks, add volume and leave it with a mirror shine. The supersized brush means Hollywood-worthy curls are never far away.
The tool is blissfully light at less than 1kg and comes with a carry case so they can pack it for trips away too.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Tiana Halal Pet Food Finest Cat Treats
Eid is a celebration for all the family, feline friends included. Involve your cats in the celebrations with Tiana's pet treat selection, made with 100 per cent natural and Halal ingredients. Full of protein and amino acids to keep your pet healthy, the air-dried treats will have them purring in appreciation.
Buy now £10.00, John Lewis
Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum Spray
Deep and rich oud scents make the perfect gift for the man who appreciates the finer things in life, and this fragrance from Tom Ford is amongst the most luxurious. The 100ml volume is the perfect size for taking on trips away.
Buy now £249.90, lookfantastic
NEOM Feel Good Vibes 3 Wick Candle 420g
Never underestimate the power of a good candle to help create a party atmosphere. Neom's Good Vibes three-wick candle is infused with light mandarin, ylang ylang and jasmine notes, a beautifully sparkling scented mix to help usher in the new year.
Buy now £55.00, lookfantastic
Creed Royal Princess Oud
Though oud is a unisex fragrance, there are lighter distillations to appeal to wearers who favour something fresher.
Enter Creed’s Royal Princess Oud which mixes a base of woody notes with lighter florals and complex Orientals to offer something less heady but just as unforgettable. Top notes include Sicilian bergamot with rose and violet giving way to heart notes of jasmine, vanilla, Tuscan iris and patchouli. The scent story finishes with a base of benzoin Siam, Mysore sandalwood, Styrax, and of course, precious oud.
Buy now £165.00, John Lewis
Personalised Eid Mubarak Sundial Compass
A beautifully elegant keepsake perfect for fathers, grandads and uncles, this personalised Eid Mubarak sundial and compass can be engraved with a special message. It’s fully operational too, making it of much more use than simply admiring it on a shelf.
Buy now £69.00, NOTHS
GUCCI Canvas GG Marmont Wallet
Money is a traditional gift for Eid, but you can go one better by presenting notes in Gucci’s smart beige and black leather wallet. The design is inspired by the label’s archives with the iconic interlocking Gs front and centre.
Buy now £320.00, Harrods
Assouline Dubai Wonder book
Assouline’s collection of city-focused books is what coffee tables were made for. This one focuses on the UAE’s nucleus Dubai, charting the inexorable rise of a city that, just 60 years ago, was a simple fishing village in the desert. From stunning photography showing the inside of the world’s swankiest hotels to Dubai’s now-iconic structures and life in the desert beyond, the travel tome promises to bring a sense of adventure.
Buy now £85.00, Selfridges
Mr. Men Little Miss Happy Eid
The much-loved Mr. Men series, which has been running since 1971, now includes celebration books like this one dedicated to Eid al-Fitr (others include birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Chinese New Year, and Diwali). Perfect for little ones aged 3 - 7, the book discusses Ramadan and the Eid festival in an engaging way.
Buy now £7.35, Amazon
Laderach Half-moon box Ramadan 26 pcs
One bite of Laderach's chocolate truffles will ruin sweets forever - they're so good, nothing else will do. Delight friends and family with this selection of 26 which are all tucked into a handsome crescent-shaped box.
Buy now £45.00, Laderach
Lush New Moon gift set
Give pre-party rituals a lift thanks to Lush, who has gift sets galore, especially for Eid. Our pick of the bunch is the New Moon set, which packs the limited edition Oudhess shower gel, made with precious oudh oil, Crescent Moon soap and a Twilight bath bomb into a festive gift box.
Buy now £24.00, Lush
