I remember my first couple Eids as a new convert and single mom. I didn’t know many Muslims at the time, and the ones I did know were spending time with their families or with friends that matched their culture, whether that’s Somali, Bangali, Pakistani, etc.
I felt the need to make the day as big as I could because it was just me and my 7 year old daughter, who was also unfamiliar with Eid. We’d wake up, have a hearty breakfast and head to Eid prayer. Afterwards I’d fill the day with activities, ice cream, restaurants, and gifts.
It paved the way to building excitement about Eid, but I was exhausted.
As our family has grown, I’ve needed to conserve my own energy, and our bank account. Eid has scaled down, but I can attest that it hasn’t lost the excitement and charm.
How can you simplify your Eid plans?
Simple vacation or staycation
Vacations can be quite simple. We typically go camping a few days after Eid. It’s inexpensive and the kids love it! The kids have learned some fun, easy and cheap camping activities to do while we’re camping, and we try to explore a landmark or something in the area one day we’re there.
Also, a staycation! Game days and movie nights are easy, or explore your local area to find new and exciting things to do.
Give more time, less gifts
Gifts are great, and there is blessing in giving gifts, but don’t think that if your kids get a lot of gifts that Eid will mean so much to them that they’ll be pious Muslims later in life. While I don’t have research to back me up, I’m pretty certain there’s no correlation between number of gifts on Eid as a child and piety as an adult.
What’s harder to give in this day and age is our time. Even for us moms that are with our kids all day, how often are we doing something with them, without interruption? I know I tend to bring my kids to do things and I sit on the sidelines. For Eid, even if it’s a simple game night, we try to have devices away, chores already done, and just focus on each other.
Create cornerstone traditions
There have been years where we can’t do much for gifts or activities, but there are two things my family expects for Eid: spaghetti pie and beet cake. Both are family favorites, and not the easiest to make in our gluten/dairy/nut/banana free home, so I put forth the extra effort to make them for Eid.
Thanksgiving has turkey and mashed potatoes. Eid has spaghetti pie and beet cake. As long as we have that, in sha Allah we’ll have that Eid feel to the day.
Mom group picnic
I hear often of families that basically hop from one house to the next in a virtual day-long buffet. Personally, I’d be a mess and my kids would be a mess after that. Instead, we have a Eid picnic with our homeschool group, potluck style. It’s been really simple and easy the last couple years, and the kids have a blast.
Granted, if you do all of these things, that does not make for a simple Eid, but to take one or two things as traditions can simplify your Eid preparations. Less time stressing about how to have the perfect day, and more time being thankful for family, friends, and the ummah.
This post is part of the Eid for Kids blog hop from Multicultural Kid Blogs. Read all of the articles below for ideas on celebrating Eid with kids, and don’t miss our blog hop from last year!
Participating Blogs
Babelkid on Multicultural Kid Blogs: How to Celebrate Eid in Switzerland the Algerian Way
A Crafty Arab: Eid Baked Rocks {Tutorial}
Jeddah Mom: Free Printable Eid Envelopes to Gift Your Eidi
Middle Way Mom: 4 Ways to Simplify Your Eid
All Done Monkey: Vegan Dessert for Eid
Our Muslim Homeschool: Children’s Eid Party Ideas
Find even more ideas on our Eid for Kids board on Pinterest:
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