Eid at Home: How to Make the Best of Eid-ul-Fitr 2020

The year 2020 has not really been what any of us anticipated! Reality or understatement? Actually both! Nothing went as planned and lots of plans went out the window. We have all had to change our life style and practice social distancing due to COVID-19. Today let’s talk about Eid-ul-Fitr 2020, and how we can make it special as we help the fight against the pandemic by celebrating Eid at home.

Chand raat

Make Chand Raat (the night before Eid) fun by having a zoom party with friends! Check out lots of great henna patterns here.

I have another hack for you. I got these gorgeous henna tattoo sheets from amazon (arrived in a day). The gold looks beautiful on South Asian skin tones.

Eid gifts/Eidi

The most attractive thing about Eid for kids are the Eid gifts! Wrap the gifts beautifully for Eid morning. To make it more exciting set up a scavenger hunt!

Spread the joy by sharing Eid gifts with friends and neighbours by either mailing or leaving them at their door. I have compiled some ideas here.

Eid Cards

Eid cards are a beloved tradition and a great keep sake. I still have many hand-written Eid cards saved from my childhood. On Eid day bring out craft supplies and encourage everyone in the family to make Eid cards for each other.

Check out this blog post on how you can make 3D pop-up cards with supplies available at home.

Wishing Family

Let’s be honest, everyone and their khala, will be on Zoom trying to video call each other. To avoid disappointment, record customized video messages for family and send to them.

Also ask family to record their messages on video before hand and send to you. Sit down together as a family on Eid day and watch all the videos (maybe on TV?). Will be so much fun!

Eid Family Photos

Capture the memory and moments of Eid 2020 by taking precious family photos. Nataliya Khan, one of my most favourite photographers, did a post a few years ago on my blog with great tips for taking Eid photos. Check it out here.

She was also kind enough to share her pro tips on my Instagram, which I have saved here in my highlights.

Food and Meals

Set up the table for your family just as we do for guests. Take out the lovely china or use paper plates. Whatever is more comfortable for you. Keep Eid at home easy for everyone by either ordering in the food or cooking before hand. Try to include a favourite dish for everyone.

If the weather is nice, eat outside!

We love this lantern from Happy Street.

I also love this set up by Nina which is available as a downloadable from her site.

 

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A post shared by Nina | Designer Craft it Kit (@craft.it.kit) on May 17, 2020 at 9:55am PDT

EID COOKIES

Eid cookies is a heading all in itself because they have really helped us build up excitement for Eid at home. The kids have loved baking and decorating the cookies!

I wrote about it here along with sharing the recipe we used:

 

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“Do not raise your children the way your parents raised you, they were born for a different time.” Hazrat Ali A.S I remind myself of this saying often as I try to pass on cultural traditions to my children. As long as the spirit and lesson is captured behind the activity I have to adapt to the current times. While I can personally enjoy the nostalgia of Eid from my own childhood, my children do not enjoy the halwas and methai that I did, because for me they come with a flavour of priceless memories. Finding a balance means still making dessert on Eid to share with family and friends, but baking cookies instead. Wearing a gharara with dupatta but with a comfy tshirt. We had such a great time making these cookies and then decorating them in Eid themes. We present these for the #Eid2020dessertcollab by @we.love.cakerybakery We got the sugar cookie recipe from @allrecipes : In a large bowl, cream together 1.5 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in 4 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir in 5 cups flour, 2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour. Roll out the dough and make the cookie shapes. Bake at 400F for 6-8 minutes on an ungreased sheet. Let the cookies cool before you start decorating! Cookie cutters by @happystreet_store Do check out these other accounts also sharing recipes under the #eid2020dessertcollab @we.love.cakerybakery @urdumom @prairietray @twistontheordinary @quezzlifestyle @foodiliciousmuslimmom @mads.for.food @craft.it.kit @upanotchgifts @lifeofmamabee @thearchieffect Eid mubarik!

A post shared by Tamania | Urdu Mom (@urdumom) on May 18, 2020 at 11:13am PDT

How are you planning to spend Eid at home? Do share your ideas also!