We have next door neighbors that are Muslim and are so very kind. They bring us plates of food when they cook and they even scared away some kids trying to steal our car at 2 in the morning.
I wanted to return the favor with a nice card from us and a gift. I don’t know how strict they are with Halal, and I read that Halal-friendly might not be good enough so I’m weary of a gift card to a restaurant even if it says Halal.
So what kind of gift(s) would be appropriate for a thank you? I appreciate any help you all can provide!
Hi, Muslim here!
That sounds very generous of you, honestly I think you’re being very accommodating and that’s already very nice.
I think something simple like gift bouquets are fine, at grocery stores.
My neighbours give my family those sometimes. If one box has gelatin, we just give that specific box to a different neighbour.
But generally it’s ok, just any generic gift bouquet should be fine.
Thanks for being a great neighbour!
Thank you very much for this! I was also reading that a fruit platter and/or chocolates are good too?
If that is true, is there any kind of chocolate that is off limits? I know alcohol and marshmallow is no good, but anything else?
I want to make sure there’s something for their kids too.
Honestly it’s pretty thought to make the food super neutral and still really good. You can follow all religious restrictions and still have trouble with what they actually like haha.
Totally. Hahaha
It’s pretty much avoid alcohol, gummies, marshmallow
Anything else should be ok.
Thanks for being so kind
Muslim here. If you’re worried, something kosher will do as long as it doesn’t contain alcohol (kosher food without alcohol is automatically halal).
I was wondering about Kosher stuff as well. Thanks for helping confirm that is could be an option!
kosher food without alcohol is automatically halal.
Noice!
Thanks for being a nice neighbor.
Avoid anything alcoholic and all kind of meat except seafood. If it has to be food consider fruits or dried fruits (dates, almond, nuts…), honey and olive oil are also among guifts we give in my area (Morocco). A nice box of dates is my favorite or a game/toy for their toddler/child if they have any.
Fantastic ideas! I was thinking of getting some delicious Baklava from a local place as well.
Maybe some non food gift, like a bouquet of flowers? Or a gift card to a local movie theater or other non food activity?
Oof. Yeah, that’s definitely a good idea! I forgot about movies too.
I think your over thinking this. Just don’t buy anything obviously insulting like Alcohol or pork. As others pointed out, trying to match their tastes is going to be tricky.
It’s the thought that counts, if there is something in a basket they can’t consume they will likely just regift that item.
I’d go with something safe for the gift like a non food gift or, because nearly all religious food restrictions are related to animal products, a vegan safe gift. Then I would ask them to a dinner/game night. When you invite them you can say that you were a little nervous about asking because you don’t know much about halal and set up a day where you can cook together. Gives you a chance to learn a little more about them and build the friendship.
Great idea and very personal! Thank you for that.
If it’s food we’re talking about: You can never go wrong with fruit (unless it’s durian and they hate it), or vegetarian stuff in general.
Seafood would be okay too.
Thank you! Lots is vegetarian restaurants around here, so that’s a definite option.
Due to the lack of knowledge, would asking them what they would like as a thank you gift be possible? It may ruin the suprise but than you aren’t going to accidentally get something they may see as offensive or inappropriate.
Yeah, I did think of that as well. I was hoping for it to be a surprise, but asking them is also an avenue to take. They have kids, so I was hoping to get their whole family a little something.
How liberal/conservative do they seem? Our family is fairly liberal but others might not be like that especially if they are older. To be safe , a fruit basket is a good idea. Dates can be tricky depending on the origin of them (ensuring it’s not from settlements).
I honestly have no idea. They’re younger and we live in the Chicago area, so I can make assumptions but assumptions can always be wrong. I’ll just find something neutral. Thank you!
What can be tricky with the dates? I tried looking it up but didn’t really find anything explaining it.
They aren’t vegan as it’s a wasp pupae. As far as I malware almost all the countries that produce dates are Muslim with halal requirements, so I believe it’s a fine gift.Got mixed up with Figs. Sorry for any confusion
I didn’t know that, I thought wasps was just into some types of figs. Well you learn something new everyday, thanks.
Sorry, I was wrong, it’s Figs, not dates, that aren’t vegan
A collection of pretty little pots of herbs.
My Tractor Supply has potted lemon trees for under $20.
I like the fruit basket ideas too.
Interesting! Thank you for this idea.
Muslim here. If you’re worried, something kosher will do as long as it doesn’t contain alcohol (kosher food without alcohol is automatically halal).
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I love using Edible Arrangements. Yes, they’re a bit expensive, but I’ve used them for several special occasions throughout the past decade and at different locations throughout the US, and they’ve each shown up fresh, on time, at the right location, and beautifully done. Even small/cheaper arrangements look full of fruit and don’t look cheap.
Depending on the age of your neighbor’s children, Edible Arrangements also has a lot of fun shapes you can get the fruit in, so they’d enjoy looking at that.
Plus, it’s fresh fruit, so you don’t have to worry about it being halal. There is the option to get some of it covered in chocolate, so you’d have to explore halal for that, or just avoid the issue all together and get no chocolate. Or, have a couple pieces in chocolate and allow the family to make their own decision about eating it, because some chocolate is halal and some isn’t.
You can have Edible Arrangements delivered to your neighbors too, so you don’t have to pick it up yourself. Just make sure they’re home so it’s not waiting outside for them.
Overall, it’s a good one-time gift to really blow their pants off.
Great job thinking of thanking your neighbors in return and continuing to make your community a more welcoming place!
This is another great suggestion! I was thinking edible arrangements as well. They do have weird schedules with being home, but I can figure something out.
A rainbow flag. If they are not homophobic then they should accept it without problems, if they are homophobic, you dodged a bullet :)
Pork chops /s
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