Eid is about family, prayer and food, usually a lot of it. A bit of planning saves a last-minute rush and any doubts about what is on the table, whether you are hosting a big lunch or visiting relatives with a box of sweets. This list works for both Eids.
A week before
- Order your meat. Halal butchers get very busy before Eid. Order lamb, chicken or beef early, and ask about collection times. How to choose a halal butcher.
- For Eid al-Adha: book your Qurbani share if you haven't already. Qurbani in the UK.
- For Eid al-Fitr: set aside Zakat al-Fitr, which is due before the Eid prayer.
Sweets and chocolates
Sweets are where most of the questions turn up.
- Chewy sweets: many list gelatine, which can be pork. Look for vegan, vegetarian or halal labels. Gelatine-free sweets.
- Chocolates and selection boxes: plain chocolate is usually fine. Avoid liqueur chocolates, and check fillings for gelatine.
- Mithai and Asian sweets: often made with milk, sugar, ghee and nuts. If they're decorated with silver leaf (varq), ask the maker how it was made, as varq was traditionally beaten between layers of animal material, and vegetarian varq is also sold.
Desserts
- Cheesecakes and mousses often use gelatine. Choose ones set with a plant gelling agent such as agar, or make your own. Is cheesecake halal?
- Trifle traditionally contains sherry and jelly made with gelatine. Use halal jelly and leave out the alcohol.
- Ice cream is usually fine, but check for gelatine and alcohol-based flavours such as rum and raisin. Halal ice cream guide.
Drinks
Juice and water raise few questions, while many fizzy drinks and squashes list flavourings, which our checker marks Doubtful. For something special, sparkling grape juice or a homemade mango lassi feels festive without any of the questions around alcohol-free wine.
Snacks for guests
- Crisps: plain flavours are simplest, and cheese flavours raise the rennet question; see our snacks table.
- Samosas and pakoras: check the filling if bought in.
- Biscuits: marshmallow-topped ones usually contain gelatine unless they are labelled halal or vegan.
The quick check
On the day, the fastest way to check anything unfamiliar is to scan it with the halal checker. Eid Mubarak.
