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How to celebrate your Eid? What are the must dos and must go places? Whether to visit Nana first or Dada? Is lunch going to be at chacha’s place or fuppi’s? There are no set rules for what to do and where to go. It depends on what traditions you make for your children to live by. For years, when Dadu was still around, breakfast right after Eid prayers was a must at our place. At least it has been for 24 years of my life and 65 years of my dads. Now that Dadu isn’t here, it is the oldest son’s duty to carry forward the tradition. Nothing beats the pleasure of sharing a meal with your loved ones on this special day.

For some praying at Baitul Mukarram Mosque is a must, whereas for others it really doesn’t matter as long as all the brothers and nephews are there. Families travel across the country to meet each other. With the increasing number of nuclear families, there has to be a common place where they all meet on Eid.

What your children see you doing is what they will continue to do this hopefully for the rest of their lives. Starting with the Eid prayers, it is a common scene where Dads take their 3-4 years old sons to the mosque, and sometimes, wearing similar punjabis. I always give credits to the moms for that. If you start practising the Eid prayer at an early age, they will continue doing the same when they get older.

Coming home and breaking the fast with the family is a lovely tradition. Throughout the year we have plenty of time to hangout with friends, and even during Ramadan, iftar get-togethers are so common, thanks to the special Ramadan offers in all restaurants. Eid should be more of a family celebration. You don’t have to ignore your friends, but family should be a priority on this day. 

Time to go out? Or if your house is the meeting place, lets say, once feasting is over and the guests have left, then you can finally go out. If you do not feel like it, remind yourself that hey, how are you supposed to get the Eidi? Its always nice to start the day with the murubbis’ blessings. Take your children to meet their grandparents. If you seen them nagging, reward them with an ice-cream, on your way back. Practice it for few years, then you’ll see them looking forward to it. Dada, dadis, nana, nanis should be allowed to enjoy being the first people to give Eidi to their descendents. It does not matter how large or small the sum they can afford, it does give them immense pleasure and is a privilege they should not be deprived of.

For those whose grandparents are not around for the Eid hug, it is better to take your children to their grave after the morning prayer. If you repeat it every Eid, they’ll grow up to teach the same thing to their children, a valuable lesson for the future.

If you have families staying in another part of the country, make sure you at least celebrate one of the Eids with them, or if your job doesn’t allow, every second year is good too. Take your children and show them their place of origin. Think how happy it will make your parents and your extended family to have you back at home.

Yes, yes, the friends are important too. You can meet them in the evening or dedicate the second day to them. Go for lunch or dinners. At all times, if you have children, please do not ignore them. Take them with your wherever you go.

Eid is meant to be celebrated with family and friends. Your little ones will learn whatever you teach them. Show them how important it is to spend time with your family and the beauty of staying together, dining together and sharing. Every single tradition you leave behind, is what they will follow. So, at 90 when you cannot go and meet others, don’t worry about feeling lonely because your grandchildren will be paying you a visit soon.  No matter where your family is scattered, you know they will travel from wherever they are to spend time with you on this special day because of the beautiful traditions you have instilled in them and their parents.