Eidiyah: A gift wrapped with love

RIYADH: One of the most beloved Eid Al-Fitr customs around the world is exchanging Eid gifts, or Eidiyah, as a sincere way to express gratitude and love to family and friends.

Eid is a time of joy, gratitude and togetherness following the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset. Eid marks the conclusion of a month-long period of worship, introspection and spiritual reset.

Money is by far the most popular Eidiyah among all age groups. During Eid, money is given as a gift to all members of the family — adults, children, the elderly and everyone else — and represents generosity and love between members.

Another alternative for Eidiyah is sweets. Almost all Saudi homes celebrate Eid with sweets. Along with other delectable pastries and Saudi coffee, sweets are typically on display in main rooms where families get together during the first three days of Eid.

Sweets can include regular candies and chocolate, as well as traditional pastries such as kulaija with date paste, honey and lemon combined with spices and herbs, and mamoul, which is baked with date paste and butter. Some people garnish the treats with coconut flakes, raisins and cinnamon.

Fragrances, oud and essential oils are also popular choices. People in the Kingdom hold these traditional presents in high regard. The importance of fragrances is paramount in Islamic culture.

Therefore, gifting high-quality perfumes or essential oils is a traditional choice that reflects the importance of personal grooming and self-care during Eid.

Bakhour and oud are typically given to spouses, parents and the elderly.

Eman Al-Abdulrahman, a Saudi mother from Riyadh, shared her family’s traditions: “We usually classify Eidiyah into three categories: The children’s category, then the youth’s category, then the elderly. We offer sweets to children, money to young adults, and, as for the elderly, we give them symbolic gifts such as perfumes, musk or oud.”

Additionally, some people like to hand over prayer mats, misbaha, or the Qur’an as Eidiyah. Presenting these traditional items symbolizes the importance of spirituality, Ramadan and the special occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

Jewelry is a popular Eid gift for women in Saudi Arabia. The gold market typically experiences a boom during Ramadan, particularly around the end of the month, when a large number of people visit jewelry stores to buy gifts.

Eidiyah is not always traditional. Unconventional presents have grown in popularity among young Saudis in recent years. Giving elegant lanterns, scented candles, chic wall art, or other home decor pieces as gifts also helps to create lifelong memories.

It is interesting to note that, for some people, Eid is the ideal occasion to buy new furnishings for their homes, while others prefer kitchenware or practical gifts. Although this is not very common, it is one of the forms of unusual yet appreciated Eidiyah.

“The adults in my family must give money as Eidiyah,” said Bedour Abdulaziz, a Saudi woman from Jeddah. “No matter the amount, our elders often provide money. As for me and my siblings, we present symbolic gifts that are somewhat valuable, such as perfumes or a teapot with cups.”

Speaking about her family traditions, she added: “We number the gifts, and each person chooses a number and then receives the gift that has the number he chose.”

In the end, Eid is a festival of love, unity and gratitude, and the exchange of gifts only adds to the joyful atmosphere. Whether people choose traditional Eidiyah that reflect cultural norms or select modern presents that align with new trends, the meaning of Eid remains the same — gestures of love, celebration and the creation of unforgettable memories.