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10 very last minutes Eid Gift ideas

Okay, okay, so it"s been a busy week, and you haven"t had time but you really want to get those special people in your life Eid gifts. Especially the kids, since you"ve realized gifts are better than giving them a ten dollar bill.

Here are some ideas:

1. Go Islamic

If you are blessed to live in a community with a store or stores selling Islamic clothes, books, videos, games, etc. head out there first.

Make a budget and buy gifts according to the age and interest of the person involved.
2. Aim for the educational and creative

If you don"t live in a community where the above-mentioned store is accessible, and you can"t order anything because it"s too late, aim for educational books, videos and games, especially for kids.

If you have a nephew who"s into Star Wars, get him a colorful book at his age and knowledge level about space travel.

If you have a niece who loves jewelry, get her her own do-it-yourself jewelry kit (you should be able to find these for kids, teens and adults).The aim is to make your loved ones use and think about their gifts.

3. Give the gift of time

Some people may find this rather corny, but it"s great for busy parents, kids, brothers, sisters, etc.

Make a fancy coupon on the computer which entitles your loved one or friend the gift of your time either on Eid day or within that week. It can be an hour, two hours, as long as you can make time for. Leave the activity you"ll do together up to them.

4. Go out to eat

Make your gift to your family a meal at a great Muslim restaurant.

You"ll get together with everyone, have a great meal and support a Muslim business.

5. Offer a service

Offer to wash the family car before Eid as a present. Or to babysit your sister"s kids so she and her husband can spend some quality time alone together on Eid weekend.

Whatever you decide, you"ll give a gift that doesn"t require lots of money and that will Insha Allah be really appreciated.

6. Plan an afternoon of easy fun and games

If you"ve got kids in the family, use the backyard for an afternoon of planned games, but get EVERYONE involved, especially parents.

Make formal invitations for this by hand or on computer. You can do beanbag races, have the "who can make the fastest snowman" contest, or any other creative game you have in mind.

7. Buy sweets

Get a few of each person"s favorite chocolate bars or candies, then tie them together with fancy ribbons, a balloon and an Eid card with a special message.

8. Use your artistic talent

Are you good with the camera? Take photographs of the moon on the night before Eid if you can and catch the Hilal from different angles.

Blow up the best photograph and frame it as a gift for the family to hang up in the living room or den.

Or video tape these last days of Ramadan and put together a hilarious video including shots of the family waking up for Suhoor, getting ready for Eid, etc.

9. Bake something

If you"re good in the kitchen, bake a really fancy cake, or make a sweet everyone enjoys. Make it the feature dessert of the family Eid day meal.

10. As a very last resort

Give money. It"s the least you can do at this point.