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29 March 2024

Quick-fix Eid gifts for the last-minute types

Dunhill's biometric wallet promises to keep your valuables safe (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Keith Fernandez

We know, we know. It’s Eid and you’ve left the pressies to the last minute as usual. It’s our eclectic, quick-fix gift guide to the rescue, with something for all budgets and tastes.

The Moon and the Stars

For those who believe in sparing no expense, Brazilian jeweller H Stern has put out two appropriately themed collection of geegaws.

Moonlight is a vintage Victorian and rock ‘n’ roll-inspired collection of rock crystal jewels in an array of soft pastel colours featuring rose quartz, light citrines and blue topaz. 

Necklace, earrings, rings and bracelet are all set in 18K Noble gold – a skin tone alloy that further enhances the vintage quality of the designs – accented with diamonds and featuring the iconic Victorian stars synonymous with H Stern style.

Stars, meanwhile, is inspired by a Victorian tiara, circa 1900, and is a signature collection, which features the flesh-toned 18k Noble Gold, exclusive to H Stern, and is set with cognac diamonds.

Prices begin at Dh12,150 for a set of earrings in the Moonlight collection.; H Stern is available at Azal at the Boulevard at Emirates Towers in Dubai.

The gadget geek

Whether it’s cash or family pictures he keeps in his back pocket, of these little babies from Dunhill supposedly ensures thieves will never get their hands on its contents – and who knows, they may even post the thing back in frustration.

English luxury brand Dunhill has put out a lovely little carbon fibre biometric wallet that only opens with the right fingerprint.

And as another precaution, it can also be a Bluetooth link to the owner’s mobile phone raises the alarm if the phone (and the owner) are too far away from the wallet. Priced at Dh3,205.

Alternatively, Google the biometric wallet and take a look at the many other options available – the iWallet looked almost identical at a fraction of the price.

The fitness freak

The very thought of summer in the UAE is enough reason to put on another stone, so it’s time to hit the gym – particularly for anyone who hasn’t been able to push himself away from the iftar table.

Natural Elements Spa and Fitness at Le Meridien Dubai is offering interactive classes, personalised programmes with access to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, the use of tennis courts, swimming pools and a Jacuzzi and more at a special rate of Dh2,500 for three months, beginning this month.

Besides the standard group classes for yoga, tae-bo, dance aerobics, salsa and boxing, members who sign up receive a complimentary body consultation and personal guidance from the gym’s trainers.

Slightly on the pricey side, so check with a gym bunny first.

The smell test

We’re loving Calvin Klein’s latest fragrance, Euphoria, which you’ll agree, is a particularly suitable emotion to be expressing after a month of fasting.

The Euphoria Women EDT and EDP start off with sicilian bergamot, persimmon, and a fresh green accord.

The heart then blends into a sensual lotus blossom and black orchid, which then finishes off with amber, violet, cream and mahogany wood.

Meanwhile, the men’s fragrance, aimed at the bold and modern man, opens green and spicy (ginger, pepper, basil, sage), with bottom notes that are noticeable from the start. Oud wood combines with patchouli for a dark, sharp tonality, an effect that’s reinforced by notes of resins and amber.

Prices begin Dh185.

The gift that keeps on giving

If you’re having a hard time this Eid, how much harder is it for the underprivileged?

Follow the lead of Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bint Juma'a Al-Maktoum, Wife of Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum this Eid and earn yourself some good karma. Or buy some for a mate.

Sheikha Hind has just given away Dh250,000 in gifts to children at the Dar Al-Birr Orphanage so they can celebrate Eid Al Fitr in style.

If you can’t shell out anywhere near as much, don’t worry. There’s a slew of charitable organisations to pick from, both in the UAE and abroad.

The Zayed Foundation (zayedfoundation.org) supports mosques, cultural centres, educational institutes and hospitals in UAE, while All As One (aaodubai.org) has been set up by a UAE resident and aims to help orphans of Sierra Leone who have a need for food, housing, education and medical support.

Make a donation, get your receipt, wrap it up prettily and voila! A lovely, heartwarming gift that just doesn’t stop giving. 

The chocolate choice
 
Chocolate is always the fail-safe gift (unless your mate’s in a tiny minority of chocophobics), but there’s chocolate and there’s chocolate. And then there’s Forey & Galland, which does the classic flavours with an Arabic twist.
 
We’ve been raving on about them for yonks now, but we’re particularly taken by their lovely Omani Halwa truffles and their rose-flavoured macaroons.
 
There’s a wide array of packaging choices, too, so pop down to their Dubai Mall store where, we can tell you from experience, selecting the right gift is as much fun for the giver as biting into these little morsels of delight is for the receiver.