Advice of appropriate gift

Beavs

Beavs

Cathlete
I have volunteered to purchase a small holiday gift for a young woman who is a refugee from Iraq. All I know is that she is 18 and the spending limit is $20.00. Of course a gift card will probably do the trick but I thought it would be nice to put a little thought into the gift.

I thought small piece of jewelry would be nice but if she is Muslim jewelry may not be appropriate. Admittedly my experience with anyone Muslim and/or Iraqi is limited so if any of you who are a bit more worldly than I could offer advice I would be grateful.
 
Thank you. That makes me happy since I enjoy buying it for others (and what girl/woman doesn't like a little jewelry now and again? :) )
 
Beavs, I really don't know because, like you, I have very limited experience in this area, but you might want to PM Sparrow. She used to live in Saudi Arabia and is uniquely qualified to offer suggestions.
 
Out on a limb here...

Beavs,
It is very sweet of you to volunteer to buy this gift! While I can't help you with the cultural or religious aspects, my only concern is this: Jewelry tends to be a very personal gift, and I don't know if it would make her feel uncomfortable. Is it from you as an individual, or are you buying on behalf of a group or organization? In the group/organization case, it would probably be fine.
 
Beavs, sounds like a great program. My personal opinion - based solely on my experience - would be to avoid jewelry for a variety of reasons, although Muslim women do wear and enjoy it. When we visited Arab women for the first time we always brought high-end candy/chocolate or a decorative item. Mostly the sweets though.

HTH!

Sparrow
 
I was thinking of getting a modest silver bracelet, nothing over the top but maybe this would not be a good idea? I don't know that I should do a food item so....... For a typical young woman I would think jewelry, Bath & Body Works goodies, make up, a pretty scarf and gloves, maybe a book. Not knowing anything about her as a person, her culture or circumstances makes this quite a challenge :(
 
Beavs,
I know nothing about the cultural issues, but I do know that I've bought lots of gifts for my daughters' high school friends for their birthdays -- my gift of choice lately is the "Pink" line at Bath & Body Works. It's actually a Victoria's Secret line and it comes in three different fragrances -- fresh & clean (blue lid), fruity & bright (pink lid), and soft & pure (green lid). It comes in body spray, shower & shave body wash, and lotion. It's been 2 for $20 for several weeks. It all smells really good, and my daughters' friends are loving it, including one who just turned 18.
HTH!
 
I hope this link works!

Beavs, how about a handbag? Old Navy has a collection of surprisingly affordable, cute handbags:

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/category.do?cid=26201&pageID=-1

Maybe you can find something there for her. I can't really say what is popular with teens, but there are about 13 bags priced at $15 and under!

And they have other accessory choices in your price range, too, so you may see something that you like better.

I'll try to come up with other suggestions. It's so hard to buy for somebody that you don't know!
 
Wow Beavs, this is a tough one.

My first question would be, does she wear traditional dress??? If so then a scarf would not work. I like the idea of Bath and Body for something personal.
I also like the silver bracelet idea. Mainly because if she was a refugee she may not have anything to really call her own. And this would be something that is hers. All for herself. Okay, now I'm crying, get the bracelet!!!!!!
ellie
 
A fashionable scarf can work even if she covers/wears traditional clothes. If she is a simple hijabi she can incorporate the scarf as part of her outfit either by draping it over her shoulders as any girl would do or she can even make it part of her hijab, fastening it around her throat or what have you. If she's a niqabi (fully covered) than she'd just wear it at home or with her girlfriends and female relatives. Arab women tend to be fabulous dressers under all that covering (depending on their income level of course!)

Note: I would avoid a scarf large enough to be mistaken for a head covering though, since you don't know if she covers. If you go for a scarf I'd do one of the thinner ones that are more accessory than utility. :D
 
sparrow13 said:
A fashionable scarf can work even if she covers/wears traditional clothes. If she is a simple hijabi she can incorporate the scarf as part of her outfit either by draping it over her shoulders as any girl would do or she can even make it part of her hijab, fastening it around her throat or what have you. If she's a niqabi (fully covered) than she'd just wear it at home or with her girlfriends and female relatives. Arab women tend to be fabulous dressers under all that covering (depending on their income level of course!)

Note: I would avoid a scarf large enough to be mistaken for a head covering though, since you don't know if she covers. If you go for a scarf I'd do one of the thinner ones that are more accessory than utility. :D
Click to expand...

Sparrow, I'm enjoying learning a little more about the culture. How cool. When were you in Saudi???
ellie
 
When I was in Bahrain (first Gulf War), walking through the sunlit marketplace you could see TONS of heavy gold earrings and necklaces, sparkling from under the burkas of the traditionally dressed Muslim women. That's A LOT of gold. The more western-dressed women wore quite a lot, also. Gold is plentiful and relatively cheap in most of the middle east so, though I wouldn't worry about it being too personal, she probably already has enough. I agree on gifts from Bath and Body Works or Victoria's Secret. Very western products she, as a young woman, might really like to play with. I can tell you every time I use the Strawberries and Champagne lotion from Victoria's Secret men go nuts. It's really the closest thing to an aphrodisiac I've ever come in contact with. Really, very fresh, clean, and lovely. Pretty unbelievable coming from Victoria's (bug-spray scented perfumes...) Secret. I'm sure they have pre-packaged gift baskets.
 
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elliemom said:
Sparrow, I'm enjoying learning a little more about the culture. How cool. When were you in Saudi???
ellie
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Ellie, my folks moved us there in 1981 when I was around 13 and returned in 2001. I went back and forth throughout the years. I only lived there consecutively for about a year though because back then the Kingdom didn't allow western schools to go past the 9th grade, so we all went off to boarding school once we'd finished 8th or 9th grade. So I'd be there on vacations and school holidays. I also visited my folks in 2000, before they came back for good.

It was an amazing experience!!

Sparrow
 
Thank you all for your input. I decided to get her a grey chenille scarf and gloves as well as a journal with colorful pens. Maybe she will be able to write about how welcoming everyone here has been and chronicle her journey. Whoever she is, I hope she find peace and happiness wherever she lands.
 
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