Creating Eid traditions for your family

If you’re Muslim and you live in Cape Town or anywhere in South Africa chances are your Eid day is stocked pretty full of Eid traditions.

The men and boys go to mosque early in the morning while the women stay home and prepare a traditional breakfast, often consisting of baked bread, corned beef, pies and coffee. If you’re of Indian descent, you’re probably getting home to some delicious sanna ­(steamed rice cakes) and chicken curry.

• Also read: Yummy recipes for Eid

Eid is often spent going around visiting your entire family and giving Eid greetings. Tables are laden with sweet and savoury treats and Eid lunch is a big family affair.

But the day can often feel rushed and creating traditions for your own household can help you to stop and just enjoy the moment. We have a little boy and girl so my husband and I really wanted to have traditions that is just for our family.

• Also read: How to explain the holy month of Ramadan to your kids

So Here are some of the Eid traditions we're following:

Moon sighting

Every month the Crescent Observer’s Society goes to sight the new moon for the start of each lunar month. On the 29^th day of Ramadan, a lot of families go out to Three Anchor Bay in Seapoint or Signall Hill in Cape Town to see if they can spot the new moon, signalling the new month as well as the holiday of Eid.

I remember when we were little my father would take my brother and me with him while my mom stayed home to prepare in case it was Eid the next day. She’d pack in savouries, water and falooda to break our fast with. We could never sight the moon with our tiny, inexperienced eyes and just trusted that those who knew what to look for had spotted it.

Decorating the home

When it’s Eid the whole house gets a thorough cleaning: carpets are washed, new curtains are put up and fresh bedding is put on. The good table cloths, cutlery and crockery are taken out.

But you can take it one step further and put up some Eid buntings, balloons, table décor and banners. You can find some lovely printables to decorate your home with here.

Paying it forward

Ramadan is not all about fasting. It’s about getting closer to your Creator and also about helping the less fortunate. So getting your kids to help another child for Eid is a good way to get them to show kindness, generosity and also, to think about someone other than themselves (as children tend to do).

Children often get new threads for Eid. But not all children are fortunate enough to get new clothes. There are various charities that give to a child in need for Eid and your child can even help choose clothes for the special day.

• Also read: Ramadan activities: The Good Deed Jar

A special breakfast for the kids

My brother-in-law has an awesome tradition for his kids. Aside from the traditional Eid breakfast, the kids can have anything their hearts desire for Eid breakfast. They start putting in their orders days before and it varies from ice cream in winter to cake and bowls of sweets.

• Also read: OPINION: Should children be allowed to fast during Ramadan?

Opening presents

Usually on Eid, all the kids in the family get some money - this is called Eidie. But when I got married I was exposed to a new tradition – that of giving gifts on Eid. The children wake up to a house filled with balloons, bright décor and presents! And who doesn’t like presents? Safe to say this is one of my favourite traditions.

Eid is a joyous time of celebration and often a very busy day – so take some time in the morning to just enjoy it with your little family with these Eid traditions, or creating a few of your own!

Tell us about your family’s Eid traditions! Send them to us at chatback@parent24.com and we may publish them.

Read more:

• Is it safe to fast while I'm pregnant?
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding during the month of Ramadan
  
• My childhood Eid

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