Sumaiya Ali’s Articles on Woman This Month

Eid is the time to offer unconditional love and charity. It is also the time to share happiness, forgive and reconcile feuds and bad relations. Dressed in new attire and savouring a sweet dish before the Eid prayers, it becomes a day of feasting with family, relatives and friends and remembering the deceased. The air of festivity and celebration can be felt on the night before Eid when frenzied shopping and Éid preparations are at its height. Since Éid is celebrated with gift-giving, the highly decorated shops and markets are open till late at night for last minute shoppers.

Everybody loves to shop for gifts and more to receive them! With eleventh hour shopping, cooking and painting your hands with Henna, it is always better to be prepared with Eid gifts in advance. After the month long fast and self control it is time to indulge in a little vanity for the sake of Eid. In this feature we showcase where to find that last-minute Eid gift for that someone special in your life.

Damas Jewellery
Highlighting the month long observance of Ramadan, the 101 year old jeweler makes gifting even more memorable during Eid by presenting Arabic and Islamic inspired jewels crafted in gold and precious stones with discounts ranging from 30 to 70%. The exclusive Crystal Aya pendant collection bears the world’s smallest complete rendition of the Holy Quran laser inscribed in high-grade crystal, framed with 18kt white or yellow gold and embellished with sparkling diamonds.

Inspired by the beauty and grace of the Arabian woman, the Al Manthourah collection wonderfully weaves dream designs in 21k yellow gold and rich hand-painted enamels. The collection presents the rich Arab tradition in gold executed with the greatest attention to detail and features minute links forming chains, tassels and intricate embroidery patterns. From traditional to modern, ornate to minimalist, formal to casual, there is always a glittering piece of Jewellery in Damas to suit every mood and occasion!

Nayomi
The world of Nayomi opens its doors to a wide range of soft and sensuous products designed to royally pamper a feminine soul. With a variety of Lingerie, Loungewear, Bath and Beauty collections and Footwear, Nayomi is set to enhance the beauty of the fashion conscious women of today. To celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan and the festive season of Eid, Nayomi has fabulous ‘Gift with Purchase’ offers and discounts on some of their best selling products. Prayer beads exclusively crafted for Nayomi can be received free with a purchase of BD21 and with purchases of BD41 and above two cosmetic bags are up for grabs. Apart from this Nayomi has a special 30% discount running on its most popular fragrance and body ranges namely Shaza, Orient and Bambi ranges.

Treat yourself to the plush fabrics or gift your loved one as well as the opportunity lasts!

Bateel
A delight to connoisseurs around the world, Bateel offers a wide range of gourmet products from plain dates to dates stuffed with nuts or candied orange and lemon peel, Date Chocolates , French and Belgian Chocolates as well as other products that include Sparkling Date Juice , Jams, Pastries and Date Bars. Bateel uses Dark, Milk and White Chocolate to produce a very distinct range of pralines and truffles. All of Bateel’s products are made of the finest natural ingredients and guarantee a longer shelf life. It is the worlds only gourmet dates supplier with retail outlets around the globe and provides an unrivaled quality of products. It has a huge selection of gifts priced from BD2 to over BD150 and also offers Corporate Gifts that can include corporate branding. Give in to the temptation this Eid by gifting yourself and friends with these luscious palate soothing delicacies available at Al Aali Mall.

Ajmal Perfumes
Exquisite fragrances of Oudh, Bakhoor and perfumes diffuse in the air as you step into an Ajmal store. From traditional Arab scents to the fusion blends, it offers the perfect combination of east and west with an air of affirmed mystique.

Having been in the aroma business for over five decades, Ajmal Perfumes have welcomed the Ramadan and Eid period with special discounts and gift hampers ranging from BD10 to BD50. Sets of five popular fragrances are put together to be given as gifts and are priced lower than the combined prices of the three. With guaranteed gifts with every purchase or gift vouchers you may look forward to receiving anything from sachets of Oudh to fragrances or purses and watches for both men and women. What better way to express your ’scentiments’ this Eid than saying it through something that leaves a lingering feeling of freshness and energy!

Sparadise
Leave your world behind and enter a haven of tranquility, where a menu of services awaits to tantalize your senses and rejuvenate your mind and body. Sparadise spoils you for choice with its extensive bouquet of spa and salon treatments catering for men and women equally.

Create your own Eid package by choosing any three of the quick fix treatments which includes an express back massage, Guinot express facial, an instant body scrub, a holistic head massage, and a wash and blow dry at BD45 for 90 minutes. The ideal way to get ready for Eid is to pamper yourself with the Eid Indulgence package of a luxurious royal bath of an Oriental Hammam followed by Guinot aromatic facial, wash and blow dry, manicure and pedicure at BD80 for 240 minutes.

With gift vouchers that can be customised to any range of services or products, Sparadise gift vouchers are the best pampering gifts to give!

Eid Holiday Packages
Take a detour from the stress and routine of everyday life with fun packed getaways through travel packages tailor made to suit this year’s Eid holidays. From the breathtaking Turkish scenery, its historical treasures of rich mosques and palaces to the scintillating temples, malls and cosmopolitan nightlife of Bangkok, Global Tourism Club and ITL Travels have designed Eid Holiday packages to nine exclusive destinations!

With five days and four nights in any of these destinations and prices starting from BD100 inclusive of airfare and hotel you are bound to return as a happy soul. So if you have been dreaming of savoring the Turkish delights while relishing Turkey’s sun kissed lakes, sea and mountains, frenzied shopping in the souks of Damascus, visiting the pyramids of Egypt or a family adventure with your favourite Disney characters in Paris Disneyland, this is the time to make your dream come true!

The traditional practice of giving gifts during Eid is a token of money called the ‘Eidi’ often given to children. But why give an Eidi when you could invest some time in choosing a unique gift and thus make the person feel special? The best time to give an Eid gift is soon after the morning prayers to instill an element of surprise and excitement. A gift gets closer to the heart than money and is definitely treasured and remembered for longer.

Children can be given gifts of the latest games or educational books and toys. Gifts for elders can be chosen to reflect the spirit of Islam like exotic ittars, prayer rugs, Islamic CDs or craftworks.

Make your gift extraordinary with an attractive greeting card that well complements the gift as well as your thoughts. Taking time out for a picnic or dinner to bond as a family is also a gift in itself.

Celebrate the triumph and accomplishment of fasting during the month of Ramadan by reaching out to the hearts of your loved ones through a gift this Eid. Eid ul Fitr comes just once a year, so plan early and gear up for fun filled celebrations over Eid — live it up to the fullest!