UAE | Heritage and Culture
Showering loved ones with loads of gifts
Muslim families and single residents said they will shower their loved ones with gifts and offer a feast to visitors.
- By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:44 October 11, 2007
Dubai: Muslim families and single residents said they will shower their loved ones with gifts and offer a feast to visitors.
Mothers have been preparing for the first day of Eid well in advance, and have purchased new dresses and abayas for them and their daughters before Ramadan started.
"I went Eid shopping last month with my children and bought everything in advance so that I could look forward to the holidays stress-free, and not worry about whether shops ran out of what I wanted," said Umm Marwan, an Emirati mother of four.
Umm Marwan explained that she is no different from any other mother and celebrates Eid with her family by showering them with gifts on the first day of Eid.
Visiting friends
She noted that it is common for Emirati families to buy several festive dresses for the three days of Eid, who all put an extra effort to look smart while visiting their family and extended relatives.
"I did not forget my two sons of course when I went shopping, and they already have their new kandooras, gotras [head-piece], and shoes neatly lined up and ready to wear," said Umm Marwan.
Fathers also play a major role during the holiday season as the majority are the bread-winners of the family.
"I gave my wife a budget at the start of Ramadan, so that she could buy toys and new clothes for our children. On the first day of Eid, my wife will wait for me to get back from the morning prayers and then we will give the children their presents," said Ayman Abu Al Izz, from Palestine.
To express his gratitude towards his wife for all her hard work in taking care of him and their children, Abu Al Izz bought gold jewellery and said that it is an annual tradition.
Bachelors who have to spend Eid away from their family and have to continue working during the holiday said that they are willing to make the sacrifice if it means they can afford to send valuable gifts back home.
"I bought my mother a jewellery set of gold, which will be given to her by one of my friends when he goes back to Egypt," said shopkeeper Hussain Al Halawi.
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