Lifestyle

  • Eid Gift Box, Dh195, Tania's Tea House. Courtesy Tania's Tea House
    Eid Gift Box, Dh195, Tania's Tea House. Courtesy Tania's Tea House
  • Hili sandals, Dh1,550, Tamashee, Level Shoes. Courtesy Level Shoes
    Hili sandals, Dh1,550, Tamashee, Level Shoes. Courtesy Level Shoes
  • Perfume, Dh650, Hind Al Oud, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
    Perfume, Dh650, Hind Al Oud, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
  • Love pendant Dh4,300, Bil Arabi, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
    Love pendant Dh4,300, Bil Arabi, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
  • Box of 25 bitesize cupcakes, Dh125, Sugargram. Courtesy Sugargram
    Box of 25 bitesize cupcakes, Dh125, Sugargram. Courtesy Sugargram
  • Keepsake charms, from Dh550, MKS Jewellery. Courtesy MKS Jewellery
    Keepsake charms, from Dh550, MKS Jewellery. Courtesy MKS Jewellery
  • Earrings, Dh172.50, Dori. Courtesy All That Dori
    Earrings, Dh172.50, Dori. Courtesy All That Dori
  • Dallah set, Dh849, Aura. Courtesy Aura
    Dallah set, Dh849, Aura. Courtesy Aura
  • Shoes, Dh2,440, by Amina Muaddi at Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
    Shoes, Dh2,440, by Amina Muaddi at Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
  • Powder up brush, Dh180, Shay Up at MHG Boutique. Courtesy MHG Boutique
    Powder up brush, Dh180, Shay Up at MHG Boutique. Courtesy MHG Boutique
  • Portable speaker, Dh1,199, Marshall, at Namshi. Courtesy Namshi
    Portable speaker, Dh1,199, Marshall, at Namshi. Courtesy Namshi
  • Necklace, Dh630, Baby Fitaihi, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
    Necklace, Dh630, Baby Fitaihi, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
  • Reed diffuser, Dh120, Wallace & Co. Courtesy Wallace & Co
    Reed diffuser, Dh120, Wallace & Co. Courtesy Wallace & Co
  • Rainbow glasses chain, Dh355, S*uce. Courtesy S*uce
    Rainbow glasses chain, Dh355, S*uce. Courtesy S*uce
  • Bracelet, Dh1,985, Bil Arabi, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
    Bracelet, Dh1,985, Bil Arabi, Ounass. Courtesy Ounass
  • Skull keychain, Dh105, Iron & Glory, Namshi. Courtesy Namshi
    Skull keychain, Dh105, Iron & Glory, Namshi. Courtesy Namshi
  • Bahar earrings, Dh1,281, Sahar BMD. Courtesy Sahar BMD
    Bahar earrings, Dh1,281, Sahar BMD. Courtesy Sahar BMD

Eid Al Fitr gifting: The best items to buy from the Middle East's independent brands and small businesses

Here's how to cherish loved ones and support local companies at the same time

Sarah Maisey

May 19, 2020

Eid Al Fitr is just around the corner and now is the time to make sure you have gifts for those you love. With the Covid-19 pandemic still casting its shadow over the world, now, more than ever, is the time to show people that we are thinking of them.

For many, this could be a good opportunity to rethink how, and where, we shop. Maybe now is a good time to support the many talented regional brands on offer, choosing Eid gifts designed and created by them, or sold on the UAE's homegrown e-shopping platforms.

If the women in your family like make-up, why not choose a brush by cult brand Shay Up, or for the more fashion forward, perhaps a pair of designer-of-the-moment Amina Muaddi shoes?

Everyone will love the gift set from one of Dubai's most Instagrammed cafes, Tania's Tea House, while Sugargram serves delicious bite-sized cupcakes by the box. Foodies will also love the serving set from Aura.

UAE companies Ounass and Namshi both offer huge varieties of brands, from a Marshall portable speaker to precious perfume by Hind Al Oud, and even jewellery by Lebanese brand Bil Arabi. More jewellery comes courtesy of MKS Jewellery, with delicate 18-karat gold charms, while Dori has a range of pretty earrings trimmed with tiny hand-stitched pearl beads.

Whatever the taste of friends and family, we have rounded up a selection of the best the region has to offer in the gallery above. 

Fashion