Advice needed from Muslim mumsnetters please!

[EmmalinaC]

Our next door neighbours are from Afghanistan. They have a tradition that on the Friday before Eid they bring food for their neighbours.

They brought us a wonderful meal before Eid ul-Fitr in October and have just brought us another delicious feast prior to Eid al-Adha on Monday.

I want to give them a gift to thank them but am not sure what would be appropriate - or indeed if it would be appropriate at all.

We get on well with them and as far as I know they are not strict Muslims but obviously wine which we would give to christian friends is not appropriate.

I'd really appreciate some suggestions!

Thanks

How civilised. Hope someone can offer you some good advice soon!

Any ideas? Please?

Why don't you wait a few weeks and then reciprocate with something Christmassey. Perhaps some home-made mince pies or something along those lines.

I'm sure they'd love to share your religious festival, just as they invited you to share theirs.

Could you not invite them round to have left overs of Christmas dinner. Although you would need advice to make sure that everything is Halal.

We are in a similar situation in that my son was given a lovely meal by his best friend's family who are Hari kristnas. We want to return the hospitality.

Chocolates are always well recieved (thorntons do alcohol free and vegetarian range) but personally I love 2cats2many's suggestion - just make sure there isn't alcohol in the mincemeat and that it is vege (some of the older style ones have suet in them). I'm sure they will just be pleased that you are being neighbourly

Thanks - I didn't think of veggie, alcohol-free mince pies but that's a great idea. I assume traditional shortcrust pastry is ok?

should be fine - I use veggie margarine or butter (some of the margerines aren't suitable fir vegetarians so wouldn't be ok). BTW I think it's really lovely of you to want to return the favour and to want to get it right I wish you were my neighbour!

We have neighbours who have done the same thing. During Ramadan, they spent a day cooking US dinner while they fasted! We use the 'don't return a dish empty' thing and gave some buns, biscuits and sweets. They loved it! They always give us a Christmas card before I've even written mine!