organic coconut oil would be great. mortar and pestle is good too as suggested by sam1148, but the shipping would probably be expensive unless you use free shipping with amazon.com or something like that. they have great prices on the coconut oil too.
If you want to find a nice collection of spices, World Market often has really pretty hand carved boxes that have containers of spices native to the region and a little recipie booklet, especially around the holidays. But I agree with putting saffron in the basket, I love using it but always try to work around it because I donlt want to have to buy it.
Speak of the devil - NY Times recently had a recipe for Hrrissa. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/health/nutrition/harissa-recipes-for-health.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=harissa&st=cse
Harissa is a must, I would say! And za'atar spice blend would be good and/or ras el hanout. And maybe a bottle of orange blossom water? Or pomegranate moasses? This sounds like an awesome gift!
Perfect answer from fiveandspice. I love that book--ran right out to get it the minute it reached the shelves. Youc could also consider the ten most frequently used spices that she mentions on pages 29 and 30--cinnamon, cumin seed, saffron, turmeric, ginger, black and white pepper, hot red pepper and cayenne, sweet paprika, aniseed, and sesame seeds. For a future gift, does your friend have a nice tagine or other clay cooking pots?
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Alternatively, a coffee grinder---just for using with whole seed spices.
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