RAMADAN GIFT GUIDE
Don't wait until Eid
Since I hope I’m not the only Muslim you know, I thought I’d put together a gift guide to celebrate the month of Ramadan with the Muslims in your life. While Eid al-Fitr is the official holiday marking the end of the Ramadan, the month in its entirety has an aura of joy and excitement that ought to be celebrated. So while yes, some of these gift ideas are appropriate as Eid gifts, most help to facilitate the traditions and practices of the month itself while honing in on the spirit of generosity.
SPIRITUALITY
The positive sentiment surrounding the month comes from a refreshed focus on spirituality, which naturally improves mood and function. Many Muslims try to read as much of the Holy Quran in Ramadan as possible—it was revealed in this month, and reciting its passages always brings a sense of calm and peace to the heart.
That same spirit often carries beyond formal acts of worship into the rhythms of daily life. Perfuming, for example, was a beloved practice of the Prophet Mohamed. Traditional scents usually lean toward oud, amber, musk, and sandalwood scent profiles. My favorite perfumes to recommend are below, and so long as quality is prioritized, perfume smells different on everyone making it great, practical gift. The ones below are high-quality and long-wearing, and their price reflects that. For something a bit more casual, this is my go-to paired with this or this.
Perfuming the home is a bit trickier, but I find burning incense to be the most efficient way to fill the house with a pleasant aroma. I’ve talked about my love for the Nuhr Home oud cones before (so much easier than lighting a coal and burning bukhoor). Pair those with a gorgeous stand to burn it in and leave out throughout the month, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
The Clear Quran: The Holy Quran was revealed in Arabic, but as a non-native speaker, I’ve found The Clear Quran to be an incredibly helpful English translation that contextualizes the verses as you read. It’s such a great resource for anyone who is interested in expanding their understanding. I have the paperback, translation-only version which is very convenient, but the hardcover, Arabic-English side-by-side version feels ideal.
Ruh Tasbih - 33 Pearl Rosary-style Prayer Beads: People are constantly reaching for their prayer beads, or tasbih, to perform dhikr, the practice of reminding oneself of God’s infinite divinity through repetition. This pearl tasbih is beautiful and functional and the wristlet-esqe design would sit beautifully on the hand or wrapped around a bag handle as a bag charm when not being used.
Celestial Ayat Ring: A beautiful, handmade and hand painted enamel and 18 karat gold Ayat-al-Kursi ring that’s an heirloom in the making. L’atelier Nawbar generally does a great job with motifs that resonate within an Islamic context.
Bottega Veneta Good Morning Midnight Parfum: For the more aesthetically inclined.
Amouage Guidance Eau de Parfum: I’ve never received more compliments on a scent in my life.
D.S. & DURGA Notorious Oud Eau de Parfum: A unisex option great for layering (my husband and I share it).
The Atari Marble Bakhoor Burner: Perfect for the modern minimalist in your life.
Phases of the Moon Mabkhara: I am personally dying for this and hope to make it mine sooner rather than later. The phases of the moon option feels particularly festive, but the polka dots are a bit more evergreen. Some of the pieces in their collection remind me of Nada Debs designs, but these are probably easier to procure for those of us living in North America. If you have the budget and interest to splurge, her collaboration with LV is beautiful.
Nuhr Home Oud Cones: I love having these on hand; they’re potent and convenient. The gift set is a great option so your recipient can experiment with different scents.
SELF CARE
The focus on inward purification is often matched by outward care: performing ghusl (spiritual bathing), staying well groomed, and maintaining a strong physical self to sustain the fasting all feel very part and parcel of the Ramadan way (and Islam in general). Whether it’s a jasmine-rose scented body soap, a calming candle lit at iftar, a beautiful water carafe, or even something as simple as moisturized lips and a good night’s rest, taking care of the vessel helps support spiritual purification.
Ossa Stone and Pearl Wristlet: I’m always misplacing my phone at gatherings, and one of these would allow me to keep it close while socializing, praying, and eating.
Bombas Women’s Sunday Mule Slipper: Waking up for sehri and Fajr is much easier when your feet go from the toasty bed to these toasty slippers. I recently received these, and they follow me around everywhere.
Awa Stainless Steel Water Bottle: For the more aesthetically inclined.
Manta Sound Sleep Mask: I’d have a hard time purchasing this one myself, but would be thrilled to receive it as a gift (aka a great gift).
Glowing Glass Carafe Set: Make hydrating throughout the night as easy as possible.
Flamingo Estate Jasmine Damask Rose Bathroom Set: My favorite scent Flamingo Estate produces.
Sleep Crown Pillow: This feels like it would immediately improve the quality of my sleep.
Moro Dabron Cecile Candle: First it’s a candle then it’s a vase / vessel.
Owala 30oz FreeSip Sway Tumbler: You really cannot go wrong with an Owala. The all-black is sleek, and the quality is unmatched.
FOOD & HOSTING
As you can imagine, food and hospitality are central to Ramadan tradition. Muslims gather regularly to break their fasts together, and weekends and nights are often spent in community and worship. Nourishing those around you is a great honor and privilege in this month, and gifts that support that are always appreciated. Whether it’s a beautiful serving tray for all the samosas that grace the table, a candy dish that can be filled with dates, or mother-of-pearl serving spoons that will make any dish more beautiful, a gift for the home is always a thoughtful choice.
Food wise, dates are of course a solid option; they’re eaten daily to break the fast and one of the most common exchanges between muslims. Otherwise, there’s almost always tea / coffee flowing for the much-needed caffeine boost to sustain all the worship + socializing. In the savory camp, olive oil and za’atar never go unused—Ya Albi and Hayati are both Palestinian-owned brands with high quality products and fun branding that you should absolutely consider.
Dates: Bateel Stuffed Dates are shipped in beautiful packaging, but if your recipient is more of a purist, they’d likely appreciate a box of classic medjools, I usually order from Rancho Meladuco. And, if they’re a date-lover open to experimenting with different varieties, the Heirloom Variety Box would be a fun option, with the Barhi Box being the safer choice (my snacking dates of choice).
Sophie Lou Jacobsen Preserves Jar: The aforementioned dates would look so much better in this.
Gohar World Salad Servers: Who wouldn’t want to to eat/make a salad if it’s means using these
Camp Snap CS Pro Camera: This vintage-inspired digital camera would be ideal for capturing memories from the month and Eid. Mine is on the way, and I cannot wait to try it out; I’ll probably splurge on the video camera next. Use code ZAYNAB7 for a discount on your purchase.
Loka No-spill Chai Maker: No more anxiety making a cup of tea while multitasking.
Dona Tea: The Dona Tea Library is perfect for the herbal tea enthusiast, and I can only imagine how ideal this Cardamom Rose Tea Concentrate would be when trying to make tea or coffee at suhoor with one eye open. For the matcha lover in your life, I guarantee their set in collaboration with Hario will make them swoon.
Algerian Baklava Syrup: Culturally rooted and really delicious; you can’t go wrong with any flavor.
so much beauty
Ramadan Mubarak, Zaynab!