If you're Muslim..

[Worriedly2]

Not an aibu, just no idea where to post.

I have a lovely ex boss who is a Muslim, we only worked together for a few months but we still keep in touch and I'd like to get him something as I believe Ramadan is coming to an end this week and I think this is the biggest celebration in Islam? I could be totally wrong, my knowledge of Islam comes from year 9 RE. He sent us a christmas card and a gift for our kids so I just want to repay his generosity.

I've obviously googled but can't find a guide or an explanation as to what is appropriate.

Can anyone suggest what to get him?

You'll want to buy a Eid gift, that's the celebration at the end of Ramadan.

Can eid gifts be anything permitted in Islam? I realise how thick I sound.

They can be anything at all, they don't have to be Islam related. Dates are traditional so you could buy a gift along with a box of dates.

You can get anything, there’s no traditional gift as such. A box of chocolate covered dates is always a nice touch though or some sweet dessert. If they have kids then a token gifts for the kids is lovely too, we always get small bits for DD. I bought some personalised Islamic prints from a lovely small business as gifts for family and friends. if you’re interested I can send you the link to her website?

Yes any sort of gift so what you would give as a Christmas present without the obvious no-nos. And wish Eik Mubarak. (Happy eid).

I'm not a muslim, so hope these would be acceptable, they look lovely:
www.biscuiteers.com/biscuits/eid-biscuit-tin

@Duskydai yes please that would be great.

Thanks everyone, just didn't want to make a faux-pas

Don't get dates. People eat them every day in Ramadan so won't particularly want them for Eid. Those biscuits look very nice. Think less about him being a Muslim and more about what you know of his tastes and interests, and what you would get for any man (apart from alcohol or other non-halal consumables).

Eid ul Fitr (little feast) is the second biggest celebration. The bigger is Eid ul Adha (big feast) in about 2 months time. Eid ul fitr gets more publicity because it comes at the end of Ramadan.

Whatever you get, I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

I am a muslim, I agree think about what he likes. I think a nice box of chocolates would go down well !

Chocolates or biscuits! , we lived in various countries in ME , what I’ve seen is that things like butter cookies, Viennese biscuits, almond biscuits are usually offered for visitors. If you are a good baker maybe make some , it will be so appreciated.

I've made people cakes before, or as others have said nice biscuits.

DH and the DS are keeping Ramadan. People tend to have a family meal for Eid (because you can!!) so something edible will go down well. Cake, biscuits or chocolate will all be appreciated.

Agree with pp ablut the dates being done by now as they eat them when breaking a fast.

Others are right. Nice sweets are a good way to go. A quality chocolate if your ex boss likes it. I usually get some chocolates or a nice baklava and halal sweets for kids. Nothing big, just a small gesture.

This may not be helpful but a fun fact, I buy sheep as a present for my inlaws every Eid al Adha (this year in July). They are not in the UK tho...🙈

If you want a sweet option for children the M&S bagged veggie sweets are good as the main issue with sweets is gelatine.

Cake and party poppers lol

Baklava is a nice option. Can be done on amazon prime (Pegasus baklava)

*Persis Baklava

I would avoid homemade food. It's a minefield with pork products and halal rules. Buy lovely presents for his children instead, toys and sparkly stuff. Eid is so much fun but Covid has made Ramadan a bit flat this year so sparkle and Joy is needed in spades!

@Worriedly2 Not Muslim myself but worked for for a company run by 2 Muslim men for years and knew their families. Eid is what you would be buying a gift for - it’s their big celebration - think of it like Christmas with the family meal, gifts etc. @ForPeaceSake explains it well. I used to gift at the big celebration - it’s the only time they ever took a couple of days off work!

Usually gave chocolates/biscuits for their families and either sweets or another token gift for the kids - colouring books/pens/whatever they were into at the time. Anything you give will be very much appreciated 😊 I don’t believe there’s any right or wrong, just avoid obvious things like alcohol/pork products etc. If doing sweets for the kids then make sure any gummies aren’t made with pork gelatin etc.

Hotel Chocolat are doing a nice box of chocolates with an Eid Mubarak sleeve (had to buy a box just to display the sleeve in my classroom - not just because the dept. needed a pick me up!)

Just asked dh (because I couldn't remember the name) and our favourite baklava is Anabtawi sweets one. I like the packaging.

Would flowers be an appropriate gift? I want to take something in for someone at work. She’s new with us, and didn’t realise she could book the time off work, so I feel for her.

This thread is making me hungry (Hotel Chocolat and baklava 😋). Had a look yesterday online for Eid hampers (just did a search on Google) and loads of shops are doing non-alcoholic hampers. I saw one from Lola's cupcakes but there were plenty of other ones too.
MayflowerMaisie flowers are perfect

I've got him some yummy chocolates, he will enjoy those and I made a little charity donation on his behalf too to a charity to provide eid gifts for poor kids abroad! Thanks for all your ideas x