Ramadan and Eid gift ideas
It's that time of year, and Ramadan is all about giving - but what should you give?! If you're in need of some Ramadan and Eid gift ideas, here's a few things I've come across to help inspire you...
The East India Company has been around since the 1600s, after being created by The Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I and has influenced the way we Brits dine ever since, having brought with them some of the things we have grown to love as a deep-seated part of the British culture, including tea and chocolate!
They've got loads of exotic treats and have even launched a bespoke Ramadan collection and luxury hampers for the season. Enjoy goodies including chocolate covered coffee beans, Cardamom and Ginger white tea, strawberry and cream chocolate thins and lots more all in a gorgeous hamper that includes two fine bone china mugs.
The East India Company are located in Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi.
There's also a new website that has just launched here in the UAE this Ramadan. This one is interesting because not only can you browse from a wide range of gifts from meals, pampering, fitness and beach experiences, but you also get to feel good at the same time... Â Injoygiving are a gift giving website that give back - every time you send a gift, the company donates part of their profit to the United Nations World Food Programme which provides meals for children. So not only are you giving a gift to a friend or family member, but you're also giving to a great cause at the same time!
Check out Injoygiving online.
Of course one of the more traditional gifts at this time of year is dates, and where better to get your dates than from gourmet food brand Bateel. My personal favourite are the Ajwa dates which are said to protect you from evil if you eat one every day, and how can you refuse when they're so soft and delicious? It's funny really, as I was never a fan of dates at all until I discovered Ajwa dates and now I can't get enough of the things!
But it's not just all about dates, they also have some lovely date jams, honeys, preserves, filled dates, date biscuits, nuts and lots more fancy fine fare that comes in lovely gift wrapping, boxes and hampers. Hampers and boxes can also  be customised according to your likes and needs too. The gift box in the image is the 'Desert Rose', a limited edition hand painted wooden box so every piece is unique!
Bateel have stores (and cafés) all over the UAE, check out their website for more info.
If it's something with a local theme, but maybe a bit on the quirky side, have a look at Gallery One - they have lots of fun gift ideas including these jigsaws of local landmarks. They also have a nice line of Arabic themed and calligraphic designs if it's just a suitable card you're after.
Check out their website here or pop into one of their stores - Yas Mall or Souk Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi and loads of locations in Dubai including the Dubai Mall and Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
If you're after something a bit more serious and functional, I've come across a world first - the Timez5 prayer mat, a physiological prayer mat that uses certified NASA space technology to create a mat that promises to help those with joint stiffness and knee pain. Providing improved posture support through the use of its unique five layer hygienic and non slip technology - this is the Rolls Royce of prayer mats!
Find out more about the mat and buy online on their website.
And last but not least, the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel is also offering books of gift vouchers for their Iftar at Ingredients restaurant which is particularly practical for this time of year! Call 02 656 1000 to find out more.
If you've got any other nice ideas that I've missed please feel free to suggest and I'll be happy to add them to the list.
Ramadan Mubarak!