Eidiquette: A guide to giving for Eid al-Fitr August 03, 2013 12:26 AM By Meris Lutz The Daily Star BEIRUT: In a time of shifting traditions and tight budgets, The Daily Star spoke to etiquette expert Nadine Daher about what to expect – and what is expected – for Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, when families gather to pray over the graves of departed loved ones and call on friends and relatives. In addition to the religious duties, tradition dictates that families buy new clothes for children and give them cash gifts known as eidaat. Increasingly, certain brands or stores are also seeking to cash in on Eid by offering special sales or gift ideas. Gift giving has become particularly popular in the Gulf, where many luxury goods companies have already established a strong presence by catering to wealthy Arab consumers, and also among some Muslims living abroad in Western countries. In Lebanon, gift giving is becoming increasingly common, although most families still give cash. But as the economy worsens and spending power declines, some are cutting back on the traditional visits rather than face the embarrassment of being unable to bring an appropriate offering. “All kinds of occasions are getting more and more commercial, whether it’s Eid or Easter, Christmas or Valentine’s Day,” Daher says. “It’s a marketing thing and it has nothing to do with Eid. The occasion is what we have to focus on. ... You should not miss the opportunity to visit someone because of this financial aspect.” Daher is a traditionalist when it comes to Eid. According to custom, she says, the children in the family should greet their older relatives first thing in the morning. Grandparents and often parents then distribute Eid money to each of the children under the age of 14, although the exact cutoff age can differ by a year or two. Unmarried aunts and uncles are also expected to give to their nieces and nephews. In some families, married aunts and uncles do as well. Read more: dailystar.lb/Culture/Lifestyle/2013/Aug-03/226135-eidiquette-a-guide-to-giving-for-eid-al-fitr.ashx#ixzz2b1FxHaYU
Posted on: Sun, 04 Aug 2013 16:39:49 +0000
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