Regardless of their social or economic standing, all Egyptians like to buy festive ornaments and decorations before the advent of Ramadan. This is a time-honoured tradition they are reluctant to forgo, and there is something for everyone, with prices ranging from LE20 to LE5,000 for different kinds of ornaments.
Each year brings a new trend in Ramadan ornaments, and this year the spotlight is on oil lanterns, the most expensive and most sought-after design on the market. Transparent in form, the lanterns feature cartoon figures that drift inside an oily liquid and operate by both battery and rechargeable power.
People like the lanterns because of the soft, warm glow they create, giving a cheerful ambience.
Ramadan decorations this year have also taken inspiration from Moroccan heritage, particularly in Iftar tablecloths, which are characterised by lively colours intended to add a sense of joy to the break-of-fast meal.
Among the items also on offer are Ramadan curtain sets priced at LE500, strings of lantern-shaped lights for LE780, and Arab-style electronic incense burners selling for around LE700.
Shoppers are also seeking out wooden and metal Ramadan calendars to track the days of the month. Designed as interactive and educational tools for children, the calendars range in price from LE900 to LE1,500.
In the days leading up to the holy month, traditional Ramadan lanterns (fanous) of every shape and colour flood the markets. LE20 lanterns are typically sold by street vendors in downtown areas, where they are laid out on cloths spread out across the pavement. A palm-sized metal lantern containing a candle-shaped bulb can be found for LE50, while a larger version of the same design sells for LE100.
Lanterns shaped like dolls or featuring Disney-style characters are available in shops in the New Nozha district of Cairo, with prices ranging between LE150 and LE300.
Medium-and large-sized metal lanterns with a traditional look can be purchased for between LE300 and LE1,000 and are often placed on home balconies or at the entrances of apartment buildings.
They are commonly sold at temporary market stalls in districts such as Heliopolis and Nasr City in Cairo, as well as in public squares across residential neighbourhoods.
Moroccan-style lanterns range in price from LE500 to LE800 and are available in gift shops in areas such as Dokki and Giza.
As for Ramadan decorations, they come in a wide variety of forms, including long strings of paper ornaments, illuminated crescents in all sizes, light branches, and LED curtains from which lanterns and crescent moons hang, glowing in yellow or blue.
They also include date holders, incense burners, pen, keychains, and assorted Ramadan-themed figures. These decorations are widely sold in shops in the New Nozha district and at retail shops, with many promoting their products online.
A Ramadan-themed pen costs LE10; a silicone keychain featuring festive characters sells for LE15; a hanging plaque bearing the words “Ramadan Kareem” is priced at LE30; a fridge magnet displaying the phrase within a crescent and lantern costs LE60; and Ramadan tablecloths start at LE200.
Plastic Ramadan jugs and cups sell for LE50, while glass versions are priced at LE119. A “Ramadan Kareem” mug with a straw costs LE70.
LED light strings start at LE55, while a 3.5-metre curtain of glowing moons and stars is priced at LE165. Wooden incense burners in Ramadan designs cost LE170; a large illuminated crescent suitable for a home entrance sells for LE1,200; and a glowing Ramadan cannon is priced at LE2,000.
Friends and couples wishing to exchange Ramadan gift boxes often select and assemble them through social media pages that advertise such packages. Some prefer to include personalised messages for the recipient, such as “Ramadan is better with [name]” or “Ramadan has arrived and [name] is with us.”
These boxes range in price from LE400 to LE2,500, depending on their contents. A basic box containing a prayer mat, a copy of the Quran, and prayer beads costs LE400, with prices rising as additional items are included; adding a lantern, for instance, brings the total to LE750.
Boxes featuring Ramadan characters such as the cartoon figures of Bougy and Tamtam or Fananees start at LE1,000, with costs increasing as more items are added, particularly chocolate, whose price depends on both quantity and whether it is locally produced or imported.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 12 February, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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