Eid Al Fitr is the time when families and friends come together to share joy and blessings. The festival is all about special prayers, fine clothes, presents and lots of greetings. Luckily, residents can enjoy plenty of Eid Al Fitr activities in the UAE from outdoor adventures to spectacular dinners and family-friendly retreats. However, if you want to keep things simple, there are some simple but fun ways to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at home in Dubai, too. Let’s get into the details.
PREPARE FOR EID Al FITR AT HOME IN DUBAI
Want to know when is Eid Al Fitr this year? The festival is expected to fall on May 01, 2022, depending on moon sighting, but the time of the planning and preparation has already begun. These are some of the tips to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at home in Dubai.
CLEANING
In light of the current situation, most of you may already be making sure to keep your home germ free, but prepping your home for the festivities of Eid Al Fitr in Dubai demands something extra. Start by sprucing up the look of your rooms – especially the dining and living areas. Tackle the dusty corners and change the linens for a vibrant, festive look.
DÉCOR
Since you’ll be staying home for Eid Al Fitr in your UAE home, adding some festive vibes is a good move. The Eid décor for your home does not have to be limited to a banner and balloons in the corner. There is so much that you can do to create a festive mood for your home. Think scented candles, lanterns, fairy lights – maybe even a DIY candy kiosk for the kids!
DISPOSABLE SAFETY GEAR
If you’re inviting your relatives over for Eid Al Fitr 2022. Make sure you take the necessary safety precautions and keep sanitisers, disposable towels and other hygiene products handy.
EID AL FITR ACTIVITIES AT HOME FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
With the preparation phase taken care of, let’s look at other Eid Al Fitr things to do at home.
DRESS UP!
Put on your fancy Eid clothes, dress up and feel good – that’s what Eid is all about. If you’re out shopping for Eid this year, make sure you don’t miss out on these Ramadan offers in Dubai to get some amazing deals on your favourite brands!
GIFTS
Another great Eid Al Fitr home activity that families can indulge in is giving gifts. These do not have to be expensive things or something you might have to shop for – anything simple and heartfelt will do. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.
In some cultures – especially among South Asian Muslim families, there is a tradition of giving Eidi to younger members of the family. Eidi is a small monetary amount that is given as a gift – a token of celebration and affection. You could practice that or come up with DIY ideas to make thoughtful gifts for each other at home. For the relatives you cannot meet, choose something worthy to send via gift delivery services in Dubai.
PRACTICING THE EID RITUALS
Eid is a wonderful time for families to come together and celebrate. Besides all the glam and feasting, there is a significant religious sentiment attached to the occasion. Incorporate that into your Eid Al Fitr celebration at home. Bathe, change into new/fresh clothes, pray Eid salah at home together as a family, be grateful for everything you’re blessed with, remember the less fortunate and most of all appreciate the love of family.
THE FEAST
They say a family that eats together, stays together and it doesn’t get truer than that. Have a hearty Eid Al Fitr lunch or dinner in your home and be grateful for the food on your plates.
Those of you who reside in villas in Dubai can even set up a small barbecue party at home and grill your food outdoors to enjoy the feast even more. After that, you and the family can play some fun games at home.
After a month of fasting, the highlight of Eid Al Fitr celebration at home is definitely the feast. This year you can go all out with a homemade spread. You can prepare traditional Eid Al Fitr foods from your culture or try new Eid Al Fitr food recipes to mix things up. Just make sure there is food, lots of it and don’t forget the sweets!
KIDS’ ACTIVITIES FOR EID AL FITR AT HOME
With the kids at home, you may need some Eid al Fitr activities to keep them busy.
EID CARDS
Let the kids be crafty. Ask them to make individual Eid cards for their siblings and parents. Tell them to include something good about each family member – something they like and appreciate – into their cards for a personalised touch.
STORY TIME
Dedicate a time for stories. This is an excellent chance for you to teach your kids about the glorious past of Islam or little stories from the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions that will instil good habits. Pick an incident and narrate it to your kids, explain the moral concepts behind it and engage them with real-life scenarios and their probable reactions to them, keeping in mind the lesson they learned.
SHARE THE LOVE WHILE CELEBRATING EID AL FITR AT HOME
If you are new to the country and ask yourself ‘how do Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr?’, one of the things to remember is that the entire festival is based on sharing and spreading the message of love, peace and harmony. So, even when you’re celebrating Eid Al Fitr at home, go beyond the boundaries of your home to share the joy with others.
HAVE A VIRTUAL PARTY
One of the most common Eid Al Fitr things to do for Muslim families across the globe is to gather together and enjoy the Eid feast and festivities. If you cannot have your family over to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at home, there is always the option to have a virtual meetup to stay connected. Get on a video call with your loved ones and exchange greetings and messages with each other.
SEND FOOD TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS
When you’re preparing a feast for the whole family to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at home in Dubai, make some extra food to share with your neighbours. This is a great chance to build stronger community ties and share happy times. Send over some of the Eid Al Fitr food to families living next door and celebrate with them.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES EID AL FITR MEAN?
The word Eid Al Fitr translates to the “festival of breaking the fast,” where Eid means festival and Fitr is the origin of the word “Iftar” means breaking the fast. However, the meaning of Eid Al Fitr is deeper than the lexical interpretation. The festival holds great spiritual and religious importance for Muslims across the globe.
HOW IS EID AL FITR CELEBRATED?
Eid Al Fitr in the UAE and everywhere else in the world is celebrated with great aplomb. Muslims don their festive finery, offer special Eid prayers, share sweets and exchange gifts and gather together over a lavish feast to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. Eid holidays usually last three days, which also gives people a chance to head out for Eid staycations in Dubai or a short trip out of city.
WHY IS EID AL FITR CELEBRATED?
Eid Al Fitr is celebrated to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The celebration is an expression of humbleness and gratitude invoked by a month of fasting. Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr to enjoy and be thankful for the blessings in their homes, on their plates and in their lives.
There you have it, a bunch of simple ideas to brighten up your Eid Al Fitr celebrations at home in Dubai. With Ramadan in full swing, Eid prep is rapidly picking up pace across the country.
Even amidst the Eid fervour, don’t forget the less fortunate around us during this time. Join hands with one of the Ramadan charities in Dubai to share the bounties of this blessed month with the underprivileged.
What do you do on Eid Al Fitr? How do you normally celebrate the occasion? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
