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October 20, 2006 3:01 PM

What should I give as Eidi (Eid gifts) to kids of my Pakistani-American friends?

I'll be celebrating Eid with my Pakistani-American friends (1st gen, but fairly liberal and modern). In India the norm is that you give some cash straight to the kids as Eidi. It could range from Rs 25/- right upto Rs 1000/- based on how young is the kid, how closely related he is and whether the kid observed the fasts of Ramzaan.

I am not sure if cash is the norm in Muslim circles in the USofA and wondering will it would be looked down upon as too crass. I am also not sure if native Pakistani practice of giving Eidi involves cash or not. The kids whom I'd be giving Eidi are all < 8 yrs.

So what's a good Eidi custom here? Any suggestions?

posted by forwebsites to society & culture (6 comments total)

I'm not sure about her family's country of origin, but a Muslim friend from high school said she'd get Eid gifts similar to what many kids could expect at Christmas. Think along those lines.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 4:41 PM on October 20, 2006

In Malaysia it's cash. In Bangladesh (former East Pakistan) it's cash too. I've never seen gifts given during Eid.

I think cash should be fine.
posted by divabat at 4:59 PM on October 20, 2006

The Pakistani-Americans I know do cash, but I don't know how much is normal.
posted by leapingsheep at 5:48 PM on October 20, 2006

yes, cash is fine. but dress it up in a money envelope like these chinese new year angpows.

red is an auspicious color for the chinese. but green is the color of islam and it would be more appropriate. in malaysia, banks give away packs of these envelopes in the days leading to the festive seasons when their customers come in to get crisp new notes to give away.
posted by kryptos at 7:32 PM on October 20, 2006

I imagine cash would be fine. But have the kids been fasting this month? I have some 8 year olds in my English classes here in Indonesia who've been doing it.

If so, why not stick with something more, I dunno, wholesome? Perhaps some lovingly made (halal?) baked goods? Or perhaps a gift the whole family can share, like a really cool board game everyone can play? Maybe some museum passes or play tickets or something everyone can do together?

Eid mubarak!
posted by mdonley at 12:44 AM on October 21, 2006

Thanks for all the answers (and sorry for the delay). I think I'll go with cash. mdonley, Eid Mubarak to you too. And yes we are already doing the "take cooked stuff" etc. This query was specifically for kids' Eidi. Thanks everyone :)
posted by forwebsites at 9:39 AM on October 23, 2006