Advice regarding hijab please

[tootiredtoocare]

Hi, I've drawn a colleague who wears a hijab in our Secret Santa. I wondered about getting her one of the beautiful fastening pins I've seen, but wanted to check it's okay to do that. I suppose I just want to know whether they're just like a broach or scarf pin or if there's a religious or cultural significance to them and I should just get her some bubble bath instead!

I think it's risky giving something that's "about" a source of difference/potential discrimination. It could be seen as a statement that she us perceived as "the woman who wears a hijab" rather than "one of the women who (insert reference to things you have in common)" - like all you have told us is that she wears a hijab, but what is her personality/likes/dislikes as a human, not focusing on her status as a muslim woman particularly.

If you really want something generic I think foodie gifts perhaps safer than toiletries. Personally I hate being given toiletries as I like my own chosen brands and don't use gifts of stuff I am not used to.

I like to give a book and a box of chocolates as a secret santa, choosing a book I think they will genuinely enjoy, but it does require knowing a bit about them.

I'm not sure about the bubble bath.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure I've read muslims have showers and not baths, as they don't like 'retained' water as they see it as dirty....?

I wear hijab, I think that's a lovely idea and I'd be grateful it had been acknowledged in a positive way. Hijab magnets are amazing, you could get her a set of those? They hold the fabric without you having to pin it.

Update - Thanks for all the comments, you've really given me something to think about. I'll let you know what I decide upon!

I bought one of those for my colleague last Christmas and she really liked it. And a book (she's in my book club too) and we do book secret santa.

For a Muslim?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I wouldn't be buying a Muslim a Zionist owned M&S candle at this moment in time , no.

Is this real?

I think a brooch would be lovely, she can use it as a hijab pin or just to secure a scarf and it’s such a meaningful gift as you’ve obviously gone to effort to get something that would appeal to her.

If you go down the generic route then just make sure any food items are suitable for vegetarians and don’t contain alcohol.

Please avoid anything from M&S though, most Muslims are boycotting it because of their Zionist roots and their latest Xmas campaign ad.

And yes, Muslims do take bubble baths!

I’d just buy something you know she will probably like. If she is mad about pins, go for those. If she isn’t, go for something else.

Different protected characteristic here but I’m frequently gifted things relating to this minority characteristic, and I’m never sure whether to be touched because I’m being seen, or meh because I don’t want to just be reduced to that one thing, if you see what I mean.

It’s a lovely and thoughtful idea - and so much better than Most secret santa tat that people get!
go for it!

Very thoughtful idea.... you can get some magnetic hijab pins which might be a nice gift. I bought a gift set for a friend from a store on instagram called reyah hijabs . She absolutely loved it!

That’s a lovely idea. My friend covers and I got her some magnetic pins and she loved them. I’ve also got her handbag/perfume/face creams etc etc and she’s loved those too

My best friend wears hijab and she would love that. It's very thoughtful gift and inclusive too.

@Soontobe60 yeah, I kind of wanted to avoid anything actually Christmassy!

Thanks for the heads up about M&S everyone.

Op she might not mind a little bit of festive sparkle as long as it's not overtly Christmassy. I'm Muslim and I decorate my home for the festive season and would have loved a light up candle (as long as it's not from M&S).

I wear a hijab and while everyone's sentiments are different... I'd love a hijab pin vs a bubble bath. It's so much more thoughtful than generic gift and shows you have put thought into it. I love magnet hijabs, or you can get a brooch (nothing christmassy) but I'm sure it will show you have cared.

I started wearing a hijab a couple of years ago and what helped me feel more comfortable was pairing it with clothes I already liked, just making small tweaks. I searched for abayas near me to find a few that felt right—nothing too flashy, just simple and comfy. It’s also been nice chatting with others who shared their own ways of easing into it or adjusting things over time.