Eid bounty
Just after a few more days, we shall be celebrating the fast-approaching Eid-ul-Fitr.
Is there something we are missing here? Yes, the Eid gifts! The tradition is pretty universal and we look forward to giving and receiving the lovely bounties.
In case you are having trouble in selecting gift ideas, we have a few suggestions.
Eidi
Yes! Who doesn't have fond memories regarding Eidi? Some of us even had special purses to carry the money. Thankfully, this tradition still holds and is the easiest, and perhaps the most popular, option! Just make sure the 'Eidi' is clean and fresh bank notes, since children will be handling the money.
Clothes
The next best option as Eid gift is of course clothes. For this, you should be aware of the exact sizes of the people you are willing to gift. For the men in your family, panjabi, kurta, fatua and shirts are a good option. As we have always been an advocate of 'deshi' items, we'd suggest local brands like Cat's Eye, Aarong, Monsoon Rain, Westecs, Noir, SadaKalo, Artisti, Kay Kraft, Bibiyana etc. You will get an array of the latest collection in traditional wear and western outfits.
For kids, you can try out Artisan, Spark Gear, Aarong, Noir, Baby Shop, Yellow, Kids and Moms, Kids' Paradise etc.
For the ladies on your family opt for deshi stuff in taant, muslin, silk, georgette, chiffon, khadi or plain cotton. Mirpur benarashi palli and sari stores at Bailey Road have a huge collection of exceptional cotton and silk saris.
Books
Most of the kids nowadays are not very keen on reading books, but it sure needs to be fixed! Kindle the urge by gifting interesting books suitable to age and personality. Some classics are the chronicles of Sherlock Holmes, the many Marvel comics series, and of course the many YA novels. These gifts will definitely inspire the mind and encourage imagination.
Another valuable gift could be religious books, the Qur'an or a volume of the Hadith to help increase religious knowledge.
Shoes, Bags, Jewellery, Watches
If you want to avoid gifting clothes, accessories can save the day.
Accessories could be shoes and bags, as without the right ones no outfit ensemble is complete! Take a bit of time to pick the perfect one-- dainty slippers, kitten heels, wedges, peep-toes, pumps and espadrilles for all those varied occasions that ladies need the "right" shoes for. Also, why leave the men behind? Choose between oxfords, brogues, dress shoes, sneakers, loafers and high-tops. And where can you find all these types in their glory? Of course, the crowd favourites Bata and Apex have a mind-boggling variety. If you want to gift shoes, then one thing you have to keep in mind is the shoe size; because just one size up or down will make the gift a 'good for nothing piece.' In that case, bags are the safer choice!
Jewellery, tie pins, cufflinks and watches can also be good options. Shops like Almas, Priyo, and such have good collections of branded watches.
Gadgets
With the rise of technology, we'd say that electronics as Eid gifts is the latest hype, and quite popular. The options include phones, tabs, laptops, head phones, speakers, smartwatches and so much more!
A Teachable Moment
While we are busy gifting our more privileged friends and family, we could also do something meaningful for the underprivileged of the society. We can donate new clothes, toys and food to any local charity, and also involve our children in the activity by having them hand out the gifts themselves.
This will in turn help them become compassionate and teach them how an act of kindness can impact another person's life.
This could actually be the best gift, since it will resonate the actual spirit of Eid – peace, belongingness and prosperity for all.
Photo courtesy: Bata, BFW 2018
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