The Week Before Eid – Let The Preparations Begin!

Ding Dong --- IT’S THE WEEK BEFORE EID! Are you ready! Is your house in chaos? If so, welcome to the 1.7 billion Muslims around the world celebrating the exact same feeling!

The night before Eid is also an OMG moment! OMG, Eid is literally right around the corner! OMG, let’s talk about the Eid preparation…

Cake

In my culinary life, I experimented with loads of creative ideas for adults and kids. On this occasion, I will recommend a money cake for your family. Last year, I did this and there is no better way to distribute money than from inside a cake that is designed with beautiful Eid themes that match your house décor. You can make it yourself, but it takes a long time. Therefore, I would recommend that you get a professional baker to do it for you. I used a bakery called SugarMoo and it went perfectly. This year, I have a different surprise for my family, and it will be revealed on Eid.

Beauty Night

Ladies and gents, we all know that beauty takes time such as haircuts, spa services and nailcare. Therefore, start your beauty needs at least two days before Eid. For ladies who wanna get jazzed up with henna, book your henna artist from now so that she will be available for you!

Shopping

You must do your shopping way in advance. Be it groceries, clothes, and anything else you need. Decide on the clothes you will wear and search for best deals as amazing offers pop up online as well.?You don’t want to run out of time and stand in long ques during the last ten nights.?

Food Prep and Cutlery

Since cooking and preparing takes time, let it be one of the major things off your to-do list. Also, have you ever noticed the gorgeous cutlery in the local houseware shops? They have the most adorable platters and lamps just for Ramadan and Eid with the crescent. You can spice it up by making your Eid dinner décor more festive with these fine porcelain dishes and disposable wear.

Bank Errand

One of the cutest things is to surprise your loved ones with a present, especially the kids in your life. Make it a point to get fresh bills to give them some “Eidi” or "Eidiya", which is money given as an Eid present. In my experience, due to the pandemic, it was a bit difficult getting fresh bills. So as an alternative, you can send money to your kids digitally e.g. STC Pay or PayPal. They will get a kick out of the modern way to receiving money and can electronically stack their Eidi financial portfolio! How cool is that?

Decorations

Be sure to get your family to put up the Eid balloons, confetti, and décor the night before. It’s a wonderful time to do it together. What better way to create memories with your family that will last a lifetime?

Crafty Ideas

There are loads of DIY Eid crafts that can be done and given to kids. For instance, we made a golden crescent and star pi?ata from household materials. Another example is that you can print out Eid colouring papers for young kids. You can also design printable water bottle labels which is what I did with my son who tailored each label with a hadith. Hadiths are sayings and doings of the beloved prophet Muhamad, may peace and blessings be upon him. My son also put funny quotes like “Dating Season is Over” or “Tarawih Every Night Brings Out Your Light”, and “Where’s the Money?”. He even created a water bottle label that was a pre-Eid checklist! These small actions create a wonderful party vibe suitable for Eid. Have you got your Eid checklist?

Preparing the Clothes and Cleaning the House

Does anyone hate ironing as much as I do? I despise having clothes that require constant ironing. However, for Eid, we want to look our best for Eid prayers and see everyone else. Therefore, iron and sort everyone’s clothes and jewellery two days before Eid. The day before Eid should be for things that you may have forgotten. The same goes for cleaning.

Last but definitely not least...

Lastly, Eid is the celebration granted by Allah, our Creator to celebrate the continuous worship over a course of 29-30 days. On this day, we are commanded to celebrate, so celebrate in your own special way and make this moment memorable and it will be considered worship. If you are the only Muslim in your family, then feel free to join the local mosque activities or become a volunteer. That way, you will have the chance to mingle with other Muslims and see the insides of how different cultures celebrate Eid. The diversity of Islam and how Eid is celebrated is marvelous! That is a beauty that you should witness! Don’t miss your Eid-ul-Fitr 2022 / 1443.

Wishing everyone a most blessed and memorable Eid-ul-fitr!

Written by: Zara Laskar

Editor: Deena Alamoudi