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These will help make you the best dinner guest...
23 June 2019
| Last updated on 21 January 2020
Eid Al Adha, the second Eid of the year, is all about the spirit of sharing.
Also known as the 'Festival of Sacrifice', Eid Al Adha follows Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia - and it falls on the tenth day of Dhu al Hijjah (Arafat Day). As the holiday is based on the lunar Islamic calendar, the date changes by approximately 11 days on the Gregorian calendar each year. Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on August 11 and 12 this year.
SEE ALSO: A complete guid to Eid Al Adha in Dubai
As expatriates, Eid is a great opportunity to get involved by gifting a friend or loved one with a present. Here are some gift ideas for Eid Al Adha that we're sure the recipient will love this year.
1. Arabic coffee pot
The term 'Arabica coffee' pays homage to the long tradition of coffee farming in the Middle East - so why not celebrate that this Eid with a coffee pot? It'll be the perfect gift for the caffeine addicts in your life.
Sanford Arabic Coffee Maker
2. Pashmina shawl
Admittedly, real ones can be expensive, but their silky-softness and smooth fabric are totally worth it. Pashminas are made of cashmere, which is blended with silk to produce a soft and smooth fabric which makes a special gift for any woman in your life.
Made in Kashmir, cashmere pashmina
3. Artwork and home décor
Do you have a friend or family member who lives and breathes art and design? Why not give them something to spruce their living space with. Your options are endless here - including artwork, wall decals, tapestries, mason jars and more.
Ginkgo Biloba leaf gold photo frame
Gold Mandala tapestry wall hanging
4. Spices
Aspiring chefs would love this traditional gift, particularly as the Middle East is a treasure trove of a large variety of fragrant spices that are unavailable elsewhere in the world. Invite the aromas of the region into your loved one's kitchen with a selection of spices this Eid.
Rotating 12 piece spice rack
5. Bake and make something
For individuals gifted in the kitchen, why not create a baked treat or a meal this Eid? After all, food features prominently in Eid celebrations, so this will be welcome at any party you go to - and you can decorate what you bake with Eid motifs and patterns.
Eid Mubarak cookie stencil
6. A succulent
Research has shown that having something green in your living space promotes relaxation and creativity, but sadly many plants don't survive the intense heat outside - and the freezing cold A/C inside. For Eid then, why not give your loved ones the gift of a plant that won’t wither in the intense summer heat... An artificial one!
Artificial succulent Echeveria plants
7. A box of dates
Dates are a sweet part of Middle Eastern culture - and play a prominent role in diets in the region, particularly during the Holy Month of Ramadan. As a result, they make for a great, traditional gift or any Islamic holiday in the country.
Date Crown box of dates with almonds
8. A handwritten letter
If you're on a budget, no text can substitute the sentimental value of a heartfelt letter, handwritten for your loved one. Pour your heart out on some stationary for an Eid gift this year that's much more than a physical item.
9. Oud fragrance
Oud is a scent everyone is no doubt familiar with in Dubai. This expensive fragrance oil derives from agarwood resin, and is available in many gift-friendly forms.
Khalis pure Oud by Lattafa
10. The most important one: time
It might sound corny, but an important part of Eid Al Adha is spending time with your friends and family - and that's something no gift can substitute. Especially for busy professionals among us whose to-do list is never-ending, be sure to spend some quality time with your loved ones for Eid this year.
:: All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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