Muslim friends, can you help me with gift-giving?

During the Christmas season, it is traditional for our family to give gifts to the service people as a way of thanks for their service to us during the year.

This year we have a new pediatrician for my kids and she's a Muslim woman. She has done so much to help my kids and her caring attitude and listening skills are top-rate. My problem is how do I give her a gift without insulting her faith?

Obviously I won't include a card that says something like "Jesus is the reason for the season" or anything like that, but would I be out of line with a "Happy Holidays" card? The gift we normally give is a basket of goodies and fruit (I figure the doctor will share with her office staff too, that's pretty normal).

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

We Muslims respect all races and all religions, but if you think you would want to give her a card accompanied with your gift, it would be nice. and content of the card if you feel she would feel more appropriate, then it would be nice too.

I am sure she will be happy with your gifts.

Thanks for being so warm and nice by asking us Muslims to share with you too.

I think that you should give her a gift after christmas.

Give her a gift that won't be haram (pork products, drugs/alcohol, etc), and a nice card that says 'happy holidays' and leave it at that. As long as you emphasize the gift-giving and not the religious reasons for the holiday, I'd expect you to be fine. If she chooses to be insulted then she's an ingrate and doesn't deserve any more gifts or consideration. Going by how you describe her, I doubt that'll be a problem at all. Happy holidays!

I am not Muslim but I have a lot of Muslim friends... A nice personal gift would be a Carved Wooden Box for her to put her Holy Text in ( my friends loved it... even though they didnt put their holy text inside, they used it as a jewelry box )

- Or a nice scarf is good too if she is wearing a Hijab ( head veil )
These are alternatives...

Personally i find your gift hamper of goodies and fruits to be an excellent idea... its open, non-invasive to either parties and during festive times...everyone loves to eat :) just make sure that Rum doused fruitcakes are not included :) Even if it was I dont think she'd mind, prolly just pass it to non-muslim colleagues.

When the angels said, 'O Mary, Allah gives thee glad tidings of a son through a Word from Him; his name shall be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, honored in this world and in the next, and of those who are granted nearness to God;

Say ye, 'We believe in God and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob and his children, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to all other Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them; and to Him we submit ourselves.'

Holy Quran

She should not be insulted Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!.

"Happy Holidays" would be good. We have a holiday that is comming up in December, its called Eid al Udha, The date of that holiday is somewhere around the 20th or 21st, not sure will check. So if you give it to her around that date, that would be especially nice. She is not going to be upset or insulted about you giving her a gift. I would only leave out Jesus this or that. YOu could say something life God bless you or God bless us all or something like that.

Good luck and happy holidays to you.

Eid al Udha-Dec, 20th 2007, Yes, the poster above me is right, steer clear of alcohol and pork gifts.

you can give anything to her except the the haram things like pig etc...as long as u be honest with her...and rock,astaghfirullahal'azim....

In the name of Allah, Most Compasionate Ever Merciful

I suggest U ask her to explain U about Islam. Trust me that would be best gift you would have giiven to anybody.

It will surly change your life(Insha allah..arabic for If GOD wills)

I would not give her a gift that was prating to Christmas. Eid is coming i think this year its 20th Dec. Why not give her a gift and state you hope she has a happy Eid AL Adha (feast of the sacrifice) you could give her a card for this holiday I'm sure she would appreciate that 100 times more. Its very nice that you want to acknowledge her at this time and a basket of fruit and goodies like you said would be a welcome gift. Just make sure none of the goodies contain gelatin and it will be fine.
An Eid AL-Adha card would be perfect and its 20Th December, i checked.