Prepping for Eid: the final stretch

Eid this year may feel joyless for those who are used to the hustle and bustle of shopping and prepping for the big day. The spirit of Eid does not lie in how much one can buy, but rather in being appreciative of what one has. With just a handful of days left before the grand day, it's time to plan with purpose and intent to make the best of this celebration within limited means. 

PRODUCTIVITY

One final sweep and scrub

Your home on Eid Day this year may not have the typical footfall, but that does not mean leaving things as they are. Beside the daily and weekly clean ups, don't forget to get out a new set of curtains, table linen, or living room essentials.

Meal prep

Instead of keeping all meal prep for Eid morning, start early and store them in your refrigerator. When preparing, be sure to do it for the days to follow as well. If you want to try out a new recipe, an early trial is also a good idea. Other than salads and dishes that require fresh fruits and vegetables, protein and carbohydrate rich dishes can all be prepared beforehand.

Digital organising

For the last month, the smartphones, tablets and computers around the home have become the central hub of work and leisure. Take some time to sort out the digital clutter in them. Without fail, there are bound to be blurry photos, useless screenshots that you have no recollection of why you took them, to apps that you installed on a whim — delete these if you are looking for a simple decluttering solution. For an added step up, let the antivirus software run a check. An hour or two spent on your gadgets can save you tonnes of hardship in the coming days.

FOR THE CHILDREN

To keep up the Eid spirit, encourage children to decorate their rooms to their best capacity. Rather than distracting them, opt to involve the youngsters in whatever activity that you are doing around the house. To keep boredom at bay, when Eid day comes, bring out the best clothes, enjoy a meal with a hearty cheer, do everything that is possible to do. Honestly, this has not been an enjoyable Ramadan in any way for most children. However, that does not mean that there is no positive takeaway from this situation. One key lesson from all of this should be that the home belongs to everyone, and so, the responsibilities and chores fall on everyone as well. 

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

A lot of us dive in this holy month with good intentions and rid ourselves of bad habits. We lessen or quit smoking, we are more careful with our language, we wake up for Fajr, reduce our caffeine intake, and so much more. It should be noted that if we can keep it up for a month, we can surely do it for longer periods of time.

You might stray off sometimes, but try your best to stick to these good habits that you build up through this month because that is where the essence of Ramadan lies.

THE FINAL CHECKPOINT

Despite our best efforts to keep up with the daily work and Ramadan rituals, lethargy, disinterest and overall laziness have invaded our lives in more ways than we can imagine. With Eid day fast approaching, the routine is set to change again. Yet, with the ongoing situation, taking every week as it comes has become the normfor most. This continuous state of being stuck in a loop can wreak havoc on the mind without any external signs. If you feel overwhelmed, speak to family and friends. Also, if you happen to know someone who is dealing with things on their own, make an extra effort to reach out to them.

And finally, adhere to rules and regulations set for the day. With Covid-19 still a legitimate health threat, every precautionary measure is set to not only protect an individual, but the families and communities as well.

By Anisha Hassan and Iris Farina

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed