10 Ways To Celebrate Eid Amidst COVID

Eid has always been very special yet delicate of an affair to me. Being a Pakistani expatriate living in Qatar hasn’t posed much of a threat to my avidity for instilling what Eid is to us, in my kids (perks of living in a Muslim country). But now with Covid-19 hovering around and the restrictions re-imposed, nothing falls under the definition of the word ‘Normal’.

Amidst Covid-19 paving its way and changing the whole game, I still stand to make sure that Eid is celebrated in full swing at my home with my kids so that they don’t miss out on anything this festival entails. Here, I am posting 10 ways for you too to make it an experience that always deserves to be experienced.

(All pictures posted are from the past years)

1.Affix Simple Décor: Décor has always secured a place amongst the priorities when it comes to festivities, be them of any kind. A nice warm décor acts as a catalyst, at least to me. But that also doesn’t mean that I spend extras on fancy things, rather being a minimalist, I go for simple and reusable stuff and involve my kids too in the process. My go-to basics are always flowers (I don’t shy away from re-using synthetic if fresh aren’t available, readily), candles, balloons, and buntings.

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2. Pour Some Love On Your Eid Table: Let your Eid table be reflective of your Eid vibes. Doesn’t matter if you are not hosting any gatherings, do it for your kids and most importantly for yourself. If you are one of us who is following strict Covid-19 protocols and not ordering food from the outside, then don’t hesitate to spread some love on your Eid table by preparing favorites of your loved ones. Don’t get it done the hard way, plan, keep it simple and minimal yet fancy.

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3. Make Gifting Extra Special: Since we are not into giving money until they both come of age, we give them gifts. Just don’t give in a random shot, put some effort into scanning what they are really into like something they might have shown their interest in before, or catch a gist while a casual talk with them. Waniya has developed her liking for some specific authors over a while so that rings a bell for me. Wrap the gift with love and pass it on. Don’t forget to document them opening it. Waniya is also passing a gift since the last 2 Eids and I love her for the love that she lets glisten in her little being for us. We are promoting handwritten notes and handmade cards for the last 2 years as it adds a special personal touch.

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4. Invest Your Thoughts In Preparing Eid Cake: When Waniya turned one, her birth date coincided with Eid, and we ended up cutting her birthday cake on Eid back in 2013. It struck me for the years to come and landed me into making it our little ritual since then. I and Waniya transfer our thoughts on our Eid cake. Both the kids anticipate and love cutting it. Pre-order or do it yourself. Make Eid extra special with your auxiliary Eid cake because, why not?

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5. Don’t Forget To Indulge In Your Rituals: With a halt in usual celebrations and festivities, don’t hold yourself back on all these sweet little things that Eid has to offer. Embrace all the goodness that Eid brings along. Dress up traditionally, dress your kids up, and don’t stop if you start reminiscing yourself celebrating Eid with your parents as a kid when you see yours’s all geared up. Then, praise Him for this cycle of life and shine through the colors of Eid.

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6. Get Virtually Connected: Schedule Zoom meetings, WhatsApp video calls with friends and family, and help your kids schedule theirs too with their friends. After all, Eid is all about sharing happiness with family and friends.

7. Make The Indigent & Impoverish Part Of Your Celebration: The pandemic has wreaked havoc on people across the world with the indigent and less privileged among the most affected. Offer alms to spread happiness among the impoverished neighborhoods.

8. Go For A Drive With Kids: Move out and about to see the city with your kids to see what it has to offer. Keep an eye on any virtual event been organized by the State and try your best to attend it with your kids. (Photos from a road trip from last year Eid)

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9. Make Family Time A Special One: Watch a movie with your kids, or some family show, play lounge games, open gifts together, eat together, help yourself and your kids in making your and their Eid moments everlasting.

10. Document Your Eid Through Photos: Capture your Eid moments before they are gone because at the end there are these trips down the memory lane that let you relive the memories once you and your loved ones were a part of. Use a tripod to aid you.

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No doubt, Covid-19 has hit us hard. Things are far from the normal and with the restrictions re-imposed, we are made to hold back on many things. But be mindful of the fact that all these measures are being exercised for our protection. So, stand together with the steps government has employed and hold up on your get-togethers; stay at home, and wear a mask when leaving for the out. Celebrate the right way! Celebrate the accepted way! Make memories with your kids; don’t forget that you are filling the pages of their lives’ tome, and occasions like these constitute the prime chapters.

~ QuratulAin Hamza