Six ways to prepare for Eid-al-Fitr

As we approach the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the globe are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Eid-al-Fitr is an occasion of joy that marks the end of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection. It is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

To experience the merriment associated with this festival you need to prepare adequately.

So here are ways to prepare for the forthcoming Eid-al-Fitr.

• Plan ahead

To have the desired fun-filled Eid-al-Fitr, you must plan in advance.

Sit with your family and discuss what you want to do on that special day and how you want it to turn out. You need to plan the food, outings, clothing, and so on.

So ask questions like “Where will you go to perform Eid prayers?” “Where will you go afterward?” “Which foods will be eaten?”. Get all family members involved, listen to all suggestions, make a list of necessary things, and plan ahead.

• Clean and decorate the home

Get your home ready for the Eid-al-Fitr by cleaning, decluttering, and decorating.

Decorating the house ahead will liven up the atmosphere and set the appropriate mood. If there are kids in the house, involve them in the decorating process as this will make them more excited.

You can decorate your home with traditional decorations such as lights, balloons, festive banners, and flowers. Set the festive mood ahead!

• Shop early

This is one of the most important things to do in preparation for Eid-al-Fitr.

You should do all your major shopping ranging from food items, clothes, and gifts.

As you know, clothes are important during eld so buy them before the special occasion and also think about buying gifts for children, relatives, and friends, and preparing them before Eid.

Shopping early will help avoid last-minute rush and give you enough time to choose the perfect gifts, clothing, and food items.

Taking shopping out of the way early will also make Eid-al-Fitr even more memorable.

• Make a meal plan

Eid-al-Fitr is also about eating, so making a meal plan is important.

Make a decision on the Eid-al-Fitr day menu, shop for the ingredients, and prepare ahead.

You can also prepare and freeze the foods in advance, so it’s easier and stress-free to prepare. The food can be prepared ahead. You can prepare them and store them in airtight containers.

• Plan to visit family, friends, and loved ones

If you have the plan to visit your loved ones, plan appropriately and early.

Plan on when and what time you would be going there. If it’s more than one visit also make sure to plan the duration you will be spending on each visit.

Don’t forget to also get gifts for the people you will be visiting.

• Make your charity plan

The spirit of charity and giving is crucial in Islam so don’t forget to plan your Zakat-al-Fitr.

Zakat al-Fitr, or the Zakat of Breaking the Fast of Ramadan, is the special obligatory charity paid by all Muslims at the end of the Ramadan fasting month.

Plan your Zakat-al-fitr;  the person you want to give the charity to and the appropriate food item you want to use for the charity.

Remember the prophet said: “Zakatul-Fitr is a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenities, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the (Eid) prayer, it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is (ordinary) charity.”

Lastly, take care of yourself. After Eid and a month of fasting, it’s important to take care of yourself. Get enough rest, stay hydrated, and eat healthy foods.

Have an amazing Eid al-Fitri. May Allah bless you with more and the best of this world and the hereafter.

Photo credit: Sunday Alamba—AP