The most awaited celebration of the year is around the corner. Soon the house will be bustling with energy, children beaming at the thought of receiving Eid gifts and goodies, and parents gaining inspiration from the story of our Prophet Ibrahim’s, peace be upon him, unwavering obedience to Allah.
Nonetheless, it can be overwhelming for us parents, as we want to provide our children with a variety of experiences, setting the bar higher each year.
It’s a good idea to let the children take the lead occasionally and see where their interests land. Have a family discussion, consult them, and make sure to value and support their contributions, too. From there on, you can take charge of the matters and direct the flow of activities and events.
The rituals we do for Eid are important in anchoring the memories — the ghusl, the putting on the best clothes, the meeting and greeting of people, the Eid salat, giving the Fitr (if you haven’t already), and the exchanging of gifts, food and sweets. Especially for the little ones, it is important to tell them about the significance of Eid al-Fitr so they have that love and connection for it and its rituals,
Have fun! Who doesn’t remember going to the local park and running around in their finery with their siblings and cousins? You can also play board or card games, and other interactive party games. If you have a garden, you can even hire bouncy castles and fairground type games at a reasonable price.
Just like we prepped our homes to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, you should also do the same for Eid. Whether you like banners, balloons or lights — some nice decor will give your house – and your pictures – a lift!
Here are few suggestions to make Eid special for your children.
1. Decorate for the holiday.
With all the hype around Christmas, Muslims all over the world are increasingly finding the need to glam up the decor game around Eid to make it more appealing and attractive in the eyes of our youngsters. When it comes to Eid decorations, the sky’s the limit. You can get your children involved in doing themed artwork for your walls and dinner table.
2. Make an effort to share.
Parents act as role models. We must be conscious of the fact that the emphasis should remain on the concept of sharing rather than showing off and being extravagant. Let that be in the form of sharing Eid goodies and cooked food with neighbors, including those who are non-Muslims.
3. Make connections for older children.
There are a variety of ways you can choose to relay information to make it more meaningful for older children. Research is the key. For example, when discussing topics such as the significance of Hajj or Eid sacrifice, you may consider linking the two together by encouraging them to understand important underlying concepts such as Tawakkal (placing our trust in Allah) which is a prerequisite for being able to make a sacrifice in the way of Allah, just the way Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, did.
4. Plan an Eid party.
A party can make Eid special. Since Eid is a time when children are naturally excited and looking forward to meeting other family members and friends, consider getting them involved in party planning. Ask them who they would want to invite, let them decide the menu or at least some of the items they like. Getting them to write invitations can also be fun and exciting. Involving children in family matters is good for their emotional development and provides them with opportunities to build up and strengthen their decision-making skills.
5. Design cards or purchase gifts.
For family or friends who live miles away, it’s a good idea to look up online gift stores or food delivery options, which allow you to make these celebrations inclusive. Again, getting the children to participate will help them understand the importance of family, especially on special occasions and events. There are a multitude of online meeting platforms that are free and which can be used to connect with family and friends far and wide.
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If you’ve had the opportunity to perform Hajj, what better way than to narrate your Hajj experience
There are a variety of ways you can choose to relay information to make it more meaningful for older children. Research is the key. For example, when discussing topics such as the significance of Hajj or Eid sacrifice, you may consider linking the two together by encouraging them to understand important underlying concepts such as Tawakkal (placing our trust in Allah) which is a prerequisite for being able to make a sacrifice in the way of Allah, just the way Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, did.
