Ramadan hampers are such a lovely way to get yourself, your children, friends or family excited for the blessed month.
And there’s something about a hamper filled with lots of little goodies that just makes me happy!
You don’t have to spend a fortune either. Pick up a simple basket, add a mixture of useful Ramadan essentials, Islamic books, food and a few treats, and you have a thoughtful DIY Ramadan gift hamper.
And here’s the best bit: you don’t actually have to give it to anyone.
Make one for yourself!
I’m not saying you need to write yourself a card saying “To Shamsa, with love from Shamsa.”
We’re not quite there yet.
But putting together a little collection of things you’d like to use throughout Ramadan can be a lovely way to prepare for the month.
I put together two different Ramadan hampers: one for adults and one for children. Here are some ideas for creating your own.
Ramadan Hamper Ideas for Adults
For the adult hamper, I wanted to include a mixture of food, drinks and Islamic books — basically, all the things I’d personally be very happy to receive!
1. Start With a Reusable Basket
Instead of buying a traditional gift hamper, I used a pretty storage basket.
I love doing this because the basket becomes part of the gift. Once Ramadan is over, the recipient can use it for storage around the house.
Look in budget homeware shops for inexpensive baskets, boxes or containers that you can fill yourself.
You don’t need anything particularly fancy. Once it’s full of lovely things, it’s going to look beautiful anyway.
2. Add a Ramadan Mubarak Card
If you’re giving your hamper as a gift, add a card, tag or little note saying Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem.
Write a personal message inside and perhaps include a dua for the person you’re giving it to.
It’s such a simple addition but makes the hamper feel much more personal.
Unless, of course, you’ve made the hamper for yourself.
In which case, feel free to write yourself a beautiful message.
I’m not judging.
3. Add Some Good-Quality Dates
Surely dates have to be one of the most essential things to include in a Ramadan hamper.
I added some lovely soft Medina dates to mine.
Dates are traditionally eaten when breaking the fast, so they’re both useful and very appropriate for Ramadan.
And, naturally, I accidentally found mine on a buy-one-get-one-free offer.
I didn’t even know they were on offer until I reached the till.
That’s how much bargains love me, guys.
If you want to make your hamper feel particularly special, choose a nice box or packet of good-quality dates.
4. Include Some Refreshing Drinks
Juice is another Ramadan essential in our house.
Growing up, we always seemed to have orange juice during Ramadan, and I’ve carried that tradition into my own home.
Then there’s mango juice.
Mango juice, mango lassi, fresh mangoes…
Basically, mango all the way.
You could add a bottle or carton of the recipient’s favourite juice, particularly if you’re giving the hamper shortly before Ramadan begins.
Just remember that if you’re making the hamper well in advance, shelf-stable items will obviously be easier to include.
5. Add Some Fresh Fruit
I added some beautiful pomegranates to my hamper.
Not only are they refreshing, but they look lovely in a gift basket too.
Although perhaps don’t sit staring at them while you’re fasting because they’ll suddenly become the juiciest pomegranates you’ve ever seen in your life.
You could include whatever fruit the recipient enjoys: pomegranates, oranges, tangerines, mangoes or something else.
If you’re giving fresh fruit, I’d assemble the hamper fairly close to the day you’re planning to give it.
6. Add Herbal or Fruit Teas
I also included some herbal teas I’d found while shopping: a mint tea and a fruit tea.
They’re a nice addition because Ramadan isn’t just about the food we eat at iftar. We also need to think about what we’re drinking between iftar and suhoor.
If you know the person’s favourite tea, even better.
A selection of individually wrapped teas would also look really pretty arranged inside the basket.
7. Include Islamic Books
This is probably one of my favourite additions to an adult Ramadan hamper.
Ramadan is a time when many of us want to increase our Islamic knowledge alongside reading more Qur’an, making dhikr and spending more time in worship.
So why not include a small Islamic book?
It doesn’t have to be an enormous textbook that requires three years and a degree to finish.
I found some inexpensive little books at my local Islamic bookshop, including one about happiness and worrying, and another about living a happy and meaningful life.
A small collection of Islamic reminders, a dua book, a book about Ramadan or something related to personal and spiritual development could all work beautifully.
You could even buy several inexpensive books and give one to each of your friends.
And that’s the adult Ramadan hamper complete!
But what about the children?
Ramadan Hamper Ideas for Kids
I absolutely love the idea of making Ramadan exciting for children.
They’re growing up surrounded by other celebrations that often come with decorations, gifts, sweets and activities, so creating our own special Ramadan traditions at home can give them something to look forward to as well.
For the children’s hamper, I again started with a reusable basket and filled it with a mixture of Islamic books, activities, drinks and — obviously — treats.
8. Add a Ramadan Activity Book
An activity book is a brilliant addition to a children’s Ramadan hamper.
I found a Ramadan and fasting activity book containing activities and stickers, which was perfect for the occasion.
Look for Ramadan colouring books, puzzles, activity sheets, sticker books or Islamic workbooks appropriate for your child’s age.
These also give children something quiet to do during Ramadan.
9. Add Islamic Storybooks
I included several inexpensive Islamic children’s books in the hamper.
Some were specifically related to fasting, while others covered subjects such as basic duas, Jannah and learning about Allah’s creation.
Children’s Islamic books don’t need to be saved for formal learning time. Having enjoyable Islamic stories around the house helps make Islamic learning part of everyday life.
You could choose books based on the age and interests of the child you’re making the hamper for.
And let’s be realistic: some children will finish all the books approximately 24 hours after receiving the hamper.
But at least they’ll have enjoyed them!
10. Include a Dua Book
Ramadan is also a lovely opportunity to help children learn and revise everyday duas.
I included a simple book of basic duas in our hamper.
You could even make this part of a little Ramadan challenge — perhaps learning one new dua each week or revising the ones they already know.
11. Add Drinks for Taraweeh
Small juice cartons can be surprisingly useful during Ramadan, particularly if you’re taking children to the masjid for Taraweeh.
Night prayers can feel very long to little ones.
And when children become tired and bored…
Well.
Suddenly nobody is concentrating on their salah.
Packing a small drink and an appropriate snack can be useful when you’re going to be at the masjid for a while.
I added some small juice cartons to our hamper so we had them ready.
12. Don’t Forget a Few Treats!
It’s a children’s gift hamper.
Of course there are going to be sweets.
I included some nostalgic Rainbow Drops and a few chewy sweets.
Did this make the hamper look incredibly healthy?
No.
Did I briefly consider moving a pomegranate from the adult hamper into the children’s one so I could pretend it was?
Yes.
You could balance the treats with fruit such as tangerines or other snacks your children enjoy.
The point isn’t to fill an enormous basket with sugar. It’s simply to include a few little treats that make receiving their Ramadan hamper exciting.
What Can You Put in a Ramadan Hamper?
If you want to make your own but aren’t sure where to start, mix and match a few of these ideas:
- Dates
- Fresh or dried fruit
- Juice
- Herbal or fruit teas
- Chocolates and sweets
- Islamic books
- A dua book
- Qur’an or Qur’an accessories
- Ramadan activity books
- Colouring supplies
- Stickers
- A Ramadan Mubarak card
- A reusable water bottle
- Prayer beads/tasbih
- A prayer mat
- Small toiletries or self-care treats
- Children’s snacks and drinks
You definitely don’t need to include everything.
Set yourself a budget and choose a handful of things you know the recipient will genuinely use and enjoy.
A Thoughtful Ramadan Gift Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
One thing I really like about homemade Ramadan hampers is that you can completely adapt them to the person receiving them.
For a friend who loves reading, fill hers with Islamic books, dates and some lovely teas.
For your mum, perhaps add some of her favourite treats and something special for her home.
For children, concentrate on activities, Islamic stories and a few exciting snacks.
You could even create a family Ramadan basket rather than individual hampers, filling it with books, activities and treats everyone can enjoy throughout the month.
And if money is tight, please don’t feel that Ramadan preparation has to involve buying lots of things. A small bag containing a few dates, a handwritten Ramadan Mubarak note and one thoughtful item can be just as lovely.
The intention behind the gift matters far more than creating an Instagram-perfect hamper.
Making Ramadan Feel Special 🌙
Little traditions like these are part of what can make Ramadan feel special, particularly for children.
A Ramadan hamper isn’t an essential part of the month, of course. But if it’s something you enjoy doing, it can be a lovely way to welcome Ramadan and give somebody you care about a thoughtful surprise.
Whether you’re preparing a hamper for your children, your best friend, your parents, your neighbours or yourself, I hope these Ramadan hamper ideas have given you some inspiration.
May Allah allow us to reach Ramadan, make it a beautiful and beneficial month for us and accept our fasting and worship. Ameen. 🌙❤️
