The beginning of a new year is a grand celebration in many calendars, and the Islamic tradition is no exception. In the UAE, Al Hijri is the moment to welcome a new year and celebrate new opportunities awaiting us. Although the holiday falls on different dates each year, some things never change – like reconnecting with family and exchanging gifts on Hijri New Year.
In 2026, this holiday falls on June 16. Read more below to learn more about the upcoming celebrations – and buying presents, of course.
Understanding the Islamic New Year
What is the Islamic New Year?
First things first – what’s the meaning behind this holiday? It dates back to 622 C. E., when Prophet Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina. That’s why this holiday is named Hijra – it means ‘migration’.
How Families Celebrate the Islamic New Year in the UAE
The new year is the time to reconnect with our loved ones, so it’s not surprising that family gatherings are highly popular during this holiday. Since Muharram is also a month of reflection, it’s customary to pray and visit mosques. Some people prefer going out to see fireworks or taking a stroll. However, there’s another almost universal custom – exchanging presents.
Is Gift Giving Common During the Islamic New Year?
It definitely is – exchanging presents is a great way to show love and support, and that’s why one of the most famous traditions is sending Islamic New Year gifts. In the UAE, this is a wonderful time to connect with family and friends through surprise deliveries.
Dates: Traditional Islamic New Year Gifts
These treats hold special significance in many religions, especially in Islam. They were considered an exceptional fruit, used to break fasts and even help in childbirth. Dates served (and still do) as a type of food, medicine, and sweets; today, they are considered one of the most time-honoured Islamic New Year gifts.
Popular Types of Dates
The UAE has no shortage of dates – the most well-known types are:
- Khalas, with soft texture
- Medjool, one of the largest dates
- Ajwa, chewy with a caramel flavour
- stuffed or filled dates – with rose, pistachio, or other fillings
- chocolate-covered dates
Date Gift Boxes and Hampers for Family and Friends
On Udora, you can find an amazing variety of dates – on their own, in a set, or in a hamper. If you don’t know the exact variety they prefer, mixed sets or hampers are a great fit, as they offer multiple date types in one.
Flowers: A Meaningful Islamic New Year Gift
Blooms are quite universal, so it’s not surprising they found their way into the Islamic New Year. Flowers have plenty of connotations, but for this celebration, the focus is on very specific bouquets – those that reflect new beginnings, renewal, and gratitude.
Prime Colours – White, Green, and Pastels
During the Hijri New Year, flowers in these hues take centre stage. Their symbolism is perfect for wishing someone happy days ahead. Look for:
- White – new beginnings, spiritual purity, and loyalty. Most varieties are a good fit (exceptions: white mono-bouquets of lilies and chrysanthemums, as they represent mourning).
- Green – renewal, rebirth, spiritual growth. Flowers in this hue are rare; green fillers, like eucalyptus or fern, can help make your arrangement greener.
- Pastels – gratitude, admiration. They include soft pink or yellow, cream, beige, and light violet.
Best Flower Arrangements for Islamic New Year
Although preferences are important, some compositions are so beloved that they might suit pretty much anyone. The leaders are pastels – even though it’s not spring, these colours are perfectly in tone with the Hijri New Year’s focus on reflection and spiritual connection. As for specific flowers, consider:
- Roses or peonies for a significant other or close family members
- Hydrangeas or orchids for dear friends
- Lilies, tulips, or chrysanthemums for family members and colleagues
Sweets: A Beloved Gift to Celebrate the Islamic New Year
If dates are traditional and flowers universal, sweets are definitely the most popular. They combine traditionality and universality, a lucrative 2-for-1 deal for a similar price. In the UAE, Islamic gifts that include desserts are a common gesture of goodwill and generosity.
Popular Sweet Gifts in the UAE
So, what to offer? Before you start looking for the best dessert, try answering this question: ‘Does my recipient prefer something traditional, classic, or novel?’ This helps narrow down your options.
- Traditional selections include baklava, maamoul, kanafeh, and more – renowned Arabic treats
- Classic varieties are chocolates, cakes, and cupcakes – easy and safe
- Novel sweets are macarons, chocolate-covered strawberries, or ‘renewed’ versions of traditional desserts, like snickers-stuffed dates
Cakes, Desserts, and Modern Gift Boxes
If you’re on the hunt for desserts, the most obvious answer is cakes – including bento cakes and cheesecakes. Some alternatives are cupcakes and, of course, world-famous Dubai chocolate. Another option is gift boxes – many sellers offer combinations of different items, like chocolates with flowers, so you can buy 2 presents while saving an extra penny.
How to Choose the Right Islamic New Year Gift
Even after taking into account the types of presents, there’s one more factor to consider when looking for the best Muharram gifts. It’s your relationship with the recipient – surprises for family members are quite different from those we choose for colleagues.
To make the right impression, take a moment to reflect on how close you are to your recipient.
Gifts for Family Members
When it comes to family or significant others, expectations tend to be high, so your selection should match the recipient’s preferences or wishes as closely as possible. However, some options remain universal – like flowers or desserts.
Gifts for Friends and Neighbours
As for friends, the approach to choosing the right surprise is similar – look for presents that match their interests or hobbies. For neighbours, desserts or chocolates work better, especially if you don’t know them well enough to guess what they like.
Gifts for Colleagues and Business Partners
For corporate surprises, your best bet is to focus on inclusivity. Hampers, chocolates, and hypoallergenic flower arrangements are among the best options, as they cover a broad range of preferences.
Gift Combinations: Find the Right One
If you want your present to stand out or make an impact, a combination is one of the top-notch choices. In the UAE, Islamic New Year gifts don’t need to be simple – offering more surprises demonstrates how deeply you care about the recipient. Plus, it helps cover all your bases if you’re not sure what they prefer.
Popular Islamic New Year Gift Combinations
Some combos stood the test of time and remain trendy even today:
- Flowers & dates – a classic Islamic New Year gift in Dubai
- Flowers & chocolates – for those who prefer modern sweets
- Dates & Arabic sweets – embracing traditions
- Flowers & cake – for a more sophisticated surprise
- Premium hampers – these surprises already combine many different items, so you don’t need to select them one by one
Islamic New Year Gift Etiquette in the UAE
Finding the right surprise is just half of the challenge – the other half is presenting it. To make the best impression, it’s important to offer it respectfully and remain considerate of the UAE gifting etiquette. Don’t worry – you don’t need to memorise an abundance of rules, but it’s helpful to review the basics.
Choosing Appropriate Gifts
Remember that your surprise should fit both your relationship with the recipient and their tastes. Etiquette dictates finding an option tailored to their interests; offering an item that’s too generic can be seen as inconsiderate.
In addition, be cautious with presents that have distinct meanings (love, passion, or friendship).
Packaging and Presentation
In the UAE, quality packaging is important – spending a bit of extra time on gift wrapping can help improve the appearance of your surprise from ‘Okay’ to ‘Amazing.’ This is especially true during corporate events or business meetings, where proper presentation is essential.
When to Send Islamic New Year Gifts
Last but not least, timing. An early delivery might be seen as hasty or inconvenient, while a delay might indicate a lack of planning. If gifting in-person, it’s easy – just bring the present with you. However, if scheduling a delivery, look for dates closest to the celebration.
To make your timing impeccable, select ‘Ask the recipient’ – your seller will reach out to them to discuss available options. With Udora, your loved ones, neighbours, or colleagues can choose when to receive the surprise.
Where to Order Islamic New Year Gifts in Dubai
Ready to get started? Now that you know all the basics, it’s time to take action and find amazing presents for the Islamic New Year. Our sellers offer a wide range of gifts – from collections inspired by the UAE customs to modern hamper sets with unique twists. Find the right option on Udora, and your shop will help schedule the delivery.
