Making Eid Magical for Our Children
Growing up, if I’m honest, Eid sometimes felt a little underwhelming.
Around us we saw the excitement of Christmas. The decorations, the build-up, the presents, the celebrations that seemed to last for days. Children counted down with anticipation and woke up to piles of gifts and festivities.
For us, our biggest celebration often felt quieter.
We would usually get a new outfit for Eid, which of course we appreciated. And if we were lucky, we might receive some Eidi from my dad and my nan if we managed to catch her in time. She had so many grandchildren that sometimes she forgot, and I remember feeling too embarrassed to ask or remind her.
(May Allah have mercy on her soul. She passed away in February last year.)
Most of my childhood memories of Eid involve being taken from one house to another, sitting politely with the adults and trying our best not to embarrass our parents by being on our best behaviour. As children, we didn’t always understand the meaning behind it and, if I’m honest, we sometimes resented it.
But as I grew older and began to understand my faith more deeply, my perspective changed.
I realised that Eid is one of the greatest days in our religion. It is a day of gratitude, joy and celebration after the spiritual journey of Ramadan. I also realised something else: I didn’t want my children to grow up feeling that Eid was just another day.
So I made a conscious decision.
If Eid is our celebration, then we should celebrate it properly.
Over the years we’ve tried to make a big fuss about Eid in our home. We organise little parties, give presents, decorate the house, plan fun activities and build excitement in the days leading up to it. Now the children count down to Eid with genuine excitement, and seeing their joy has become one of my favourite parts of the whole season.
We also made the decision as a family not to celebrate birthdays, which means we try to make both Eids an even bigger deal. Instead of multiple celebrations throughout the year, we pour that energy into making Eid feel truly special. Whenever we can, we try to organise Eid gatherings or parties for families and children so they can celebrate together.
Something else that has been really important for our family is making sure the children don’t feel left out when it comes to treats. Because of allergies, they can’t always enjoy the same sweets or snacks that other children might have. So we make a point of finding allergy-friendly treats so they can still enjoy the excitement of Eid goodies just like everyone else. Seeing them able to join in without feeling different means a lot to us.
Food is also a big part of our celebration. On Eid we make sure to prepare their favourite meals so the day feels special for them too. Sometimes it’s the simple things that children remember most.
Making Eid magical doesn’t have to be expensive either. There are many small ways to build excitement and create beautiful memories. Decorating the house together in the last few nights of Ramadan can turn preparation into family time. A simple Eid countdown can build anticipation. Small gift bags, treasure hunts or letting the children help plan activities can make the day feel exciting and meaningful.
For us, one of the most important traditions we’ve built is teaching the children that Eid is also about giving.
Every year we try to organise some sort of collection to help others. Sometimes it’s putting together gifts for children in hospital, sometimes supporting refugee shelters, and sometimes preparing items for care homes. Whether the recipients are Muslim or non-Muslim doesn’t matter to us. Kindness and generosity should extend to everyone.
On Eid morning after the Eid prayer, we also have another little family tradition. The children help hand out sweets and small goody bags to other children. What started as a simple idea has become something they absolutely love doing.
Not every child receives gifts or celebrations for Eid. Everyone’s circumstances are different. But something as small as a sweet bag and a warm smile can make a child feel included and excited about the day.
And that, for me, is what Eid should feel like.
Joyful. Generous. Full of warmth, laughter and memories our children will carry with them long after they grow up.
Because when our children look back one day, I want them to remember that Eid wasn’t just a day we dressed up for.
It was a day we truly celebrated.