Muslims (and their friends, allies, co-workers, non-Muslim families) all over the world will unite in month-long activities of fasting, praying, performing extra good deeds, reading Qur’an, giving in charity and more. And despite the seriousness behind the month — where many also abstain from “frivolous” activities such as social-media, teh Internetz, television, movies, swearing, Torchwood, or backbiting — it really is a wonderfully fun and rewarding time.
Now that Eryn is a little older and can understand so much more about the world around her, I wanted to do something really special and start a new family tradition. Growing up, I loved opening up the doors on my Christmas Advent calendar — wondering what special picture or chocolate I’d find behind each one.
Now Eryn can do the same with her Ramadan Advent calendar.
Each night when we break our fast with some dates and water, she’ll get to find and open one of 30 bags filled with trail mix, lollipops, dates, pipe cleaners, crayons and stickers — counting down the days of Ramadan and making each sunset that much more special. As the years go by, I’m hoping to include a few small verses from the Qur’an for her to memorise, or simple charitable tasks for her to fulfill. But for now, I’m really happy that a pipe cleaner keeps her entertained for hours.
I made Eryn’s calendar from simple white and blue ribbon and tulle bags. The bags were stapled to ribbons of different lengths, and I decorated the centre string with jewel, butterfly and star decals. I then painted the decals with a crafty sparkle lacquer to really make them pop. I also made the centre string more festive with some curly silver, green and blue gift ribbons.
My favourite piece of this project was making the numbers. I bought some black scratch-art paper that reveals a really sparkly silver foil when scratched with a stylus. I love how they’re slightly Burtonesque. But they also make this simple calendar look impressive and do a great job of hiding the goodies.
I can’t wait for Eryn to open her first bag!
Happy Ramadan everyone.
August 1, 2011 at 2:11 am
Hurray for pipe cleaners and Ramadan calendars! (not to mention it’s super pretty!) Ramadan Kareem my dear!
August 1, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Thank you. Hope you’re doing amazing and are no longer in need of an arc!
August 3, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Alas. Still need of an ark!
August 1, 2011 at 4:03 am
This is so pretty! I love this tradition you have begun. I am far off from kids but this makes me consider having them 🙂
Ramadan Mubarak to you and yours xxx
August 1, 2011 at 5:50 am
What a cute calender! And Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family 😀
August 1, 2011 at 5:55 am
Ramadan mubarak! I like the idea of a Ramadan Advent calendar, the bags looks so pretty.
August 1, 2011 at 8:53 am
Wonderful idea, I love your new tradition! And it’s so beautiful! What a fantastic way to make Ramadan fun and educational for your daughter. We do not have children, but I’d love to do something like this anyway. Thank you for sharing.
My hubby and I are a bit isolated in suburban secular USA, but we had a wonderful experience at the grocery store while shopping for Ramadan. In the produce aisle, while admiring the exotic (albeit expensive) melons, he overheard the dialect of his home country, Morocco. We started speaking with a Moroccan family of five, kind and smiling and welcoming. They told us about the masjid they attend and we joked with the kids, said many happy words for the season, wished each other a blessed Ramadan. Having been away from his country for 10 years, and us feeling like the only Muslims in our tiny city, it was a blessed experience. We hope to run into this lovely family again, inshallah. Small moments like this remind me why Ramadan is such a beautiful month. We can be serious but full of joy. We are Muslim and we are happy in spite of our dry mouths and tired bodies. Ramadan mubarrak kareem!
August 2, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Oh that’s always a lovely feeling! I hope you meet them again!
Especially during Ramadan, it’s always so wonderful to be able to meet with others and feel a community around you.
All the best to you and your family!
August 1, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Ramadan mubarak!!! That advent calendar is gorgeous, masha’Allah! I love the idea of putting Qur’an verses in it too as she gets older (although I suspect the candy might still be the most exciting part 😉 ) All the best Ramadan wishes to you and your family.
August 1, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Ramadan Mubarak! Very cool idea, masha’Allah! My kids just made a simple paper chain that we hung on the wall that they will get to tear a link off each night until Eid. Also we will be putting up glow in the dark stars on their wall as well. We have two kids so each night one will put up a star and the other will tear off a link. We also did some other decorating of the apartment. I may try the advent calendar next year though!
August 2, 2011 at 4:35 pm
oooh that’s fun! I didn’t think of link chains!
yay Ramadan activity swap!
August 1, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Ramadan Mubarak right back to you all! May it be a blessed and rewarding month for everyone.
August 3, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Salaam. Thank you so much for this neat idea! As a convert myself, I find it hard sometimes to find ways to make new holidays fun…but this is a great idea when my son is a little older! So happy I found your blog!