This Ramadan I’ve been trying to incorporate more traditions for the girls. We started with moon sighting, though unsuccessful, started the ball rolling for our new Ramadan traditions.
As the girls slept that night, I did some quick decorating so that they would wake up to a special surprise. I incorporated decorations that they have been making along with a couple of other items.
I stress “quick”. I wasn’t super feeling the setup, but I wanted to get something up. It’s since changed a few times and will change a few more until it feels right.
As for the gift sets, I wanted them to be more Muslim-y and Ramadan themed but the idea came to me while in Michaels the day before Ramadan started. So I just picked up a few things on the sly while they were distracted. Oooh, glitter!
I simply placed a coloring book, stickers, bubbles, a pencil, and a journal in a cute little felt bag that I picked up on clearance. The girls were thrilled about them. Note: the third bag was for my niece that was sleeping over. You didn’t seriously think I made one for Baby Z, did you?
Next year I’d like to include a Ramadan countdown chart, handmade prayer beads, new prayer clothes (J will be almost 7!), and a hand sewing or knitting project to help pass the time.
This idea plays off of the idea of Christmas stockings. I’m not against taking an idea and Muslim-ifying it. That may bug some people, but I feel we need to be creative in making our holidays special and fun for our kids.
What ways do you make Ramadan special for your children?
I’m Amnah, a Muslim mom blogger from the San Francisco Bay Area. Here you’ll find crafts and projects for kids and moms alike, sweet and savory recipes, and random ramblings about raising three little girls.
I had stockings for Christmas growing up, and I wanted to do something similar for my daughter. You just gave me a great idea!!
Stockings are reused each year, right? Imagine the possibilities! Make sure you share what you came up with.
Would it be ok if we just got some felt sewed them in the shapes of starts and moons and hung them the night before Eid and when they woke up they were filled with “goodie bag” loot? Tell me your thoughts….
stars not starts lol and maybe used special glue and glitter to decorate oooh how exciting!!!
Of course Nadia! It’s all about taking ideas and making them your own. Be creative, have fun, there are no mistakes!
That is def something I want to do now before Eid, how exciting for them to wake up to that…I wish I was little again
Nadia, everything I wanted to do/eat/see when I was a kid, I’m doing for my kids! Who said we have to be 5 to enjoy life?
As always your creativity inspires me! Mashallah! Maybe when the girls are a little older you could start incorporating the concept of Zakat into their Ramadan routines as well. Like, every day for Ramadan, the kids will give a little money or at the end of the month choose a toy they don’t use and give it to someone who won’t get any presents at Eid or something.
Two steps ahead of you
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, iA.
I love it.. and yes I seriously thought it was for baby Z
please share some ideas for upcoming eid as well in regards to decorating the house inshaAllah
I love the lights. Did you just take ribbon and tie it yourself? Or did you buy it.
Yes, I simply tied strips of ribbon to a string of lights. I saw the idea on Pinterest. It’s easy and cute!
I don’t see a problem taking inspiration from other religious holidays. In fact, those things have nothing to do with the actual religious connotation of Christmas.
I see an Eid countdown chart every year at ISNA and it is a really neat idea! It is basically a calendar and each day has the number of Ramadan as a little pocket. It has a square hanging that the kids can move into the pocket of the current day of Ramadan. You can stuff little goodies in the pocket for each day if you want.
Very true Mrs. Gaeul.
Yes, I know the calendar you speak of. Khadija of Ramadanjoy.com sells them. They’re so cute and beautifully made.
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Very cute Mashallah! I usually do a Ramadan basket for my daughter. I get her a new hijaab, prayer outfit and then some colouring/activity things to keep her busy during tarawi. I usually try to get a Ramadan themed book in too. I recently found these adorable personalized prayer beads made with light multicolored wooden beads. Def. planning on adding them to the basket next year inshallah.
Thank you for all the wonderful gift and decorating ideas! I’m always inspired by your blog.
Sumaiya
MashaAllah, your basket sounds lovely! That’s my goal for next year to make it much more meaningful, especially since the girls will be older and capable of understand much more. Than you for being a reader and commenting on the blog.