Eid al-Fitr is a time of immense joy, celebration, and gratitude. For me, it represents much more than the end of Ramadan—it’s a deeply meaningful tradition that connects me to my roots, family, and cherished memories. Growing up in Lebanon, Eid was always a big deal—an occasion where the streets came alive with excitement, families gathered, and love filled the air. Even now, as an adult living in Australia, I’ve worked hard to ensure my family continues to experience the magic of Eid the way I did when I was a child.
If you know me well, you already know that I absolutely love Eid! The excitement starts early in the morning, when we gather for breakfast with my family, enjoy delicious food, exchange gifts, and give out Eideyah (Eid money) to the kids. It’s a time when my heart is full—filled with love for my family, my culture, and the beautiful traditions that make Eid so special. And of course, no Eid celebration is complete without the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked Ma’amoul cookies.
Eid is about so many things—here are the five reasons why this celebration holds a special place in my heart:
1. Homemade Food
Eid is synonymous with food—especially traditional desserts that bring back nostalgic memories. One of my absolute favorites is Ma’amoul, the iconic Middle Eastern shortbread cookie filled with dates or nuts. It’s an essential part of every Eid table, and I always look forward to the moment when I can bite into one, dusted with icing sugar. My mum always baked batches of Ma’amoul with the help of us kids, and the smell of them baking in the kitchen is a cherished memory.
This year, I even came up with a no-bake Ma’amoul energy bites recipe, so you can enjoy the flavours of Eid with minimal effort! And of course, there’s always a big spread for breakfast at my mum’s house—stuffed dates, hummus, labneh, manoushi, zaatar croissants, and much more!
2. Family Time
Eid is the perfect time for family to come together, catch up, and make memories. As a child, my fondest Eid memories were spent visiting my grandparents, uncles, and aunts. We’d hop in the car with my dad, go from house to house, and get our Eideyah from each family member. The best part was enjoying all the traditional treats, especially the Ma’amoul cookies.
Now as a parent, I keep those traditions alive with my children. On Eid morning, we gather at my mum’s place for a family breakfast, exchange blessings, give Eideyah (Eid money) to the kids, and spend the day eating, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Whether the kids are younger or older, the joy of the day never changes.
3. Dressing Up
For me, dressing up for Eid has always been a must! It’s a tradition I hold dear, no matter how old I get. Growing up, my mum always ensured we had new clothes to wear from head to toe, and now I continue that tradition with my family. It’s a day when I feel excited to wear something fresh, often going shopping for a new outfit specifically for Eid. There’s just something so special about putting on something new for the occasion—it’s a tradition that makes Eid even more festive!
4. Gift Giving (Eideyah)
Eideyah is what makes Eid so magical for children. It’s our version of a Christmas present—money given by parents and close family members to the kids. As a child, I eagerly waited for my Eideyah (Eid Money), and now as an adult, I take great joy in giving it to my boys. I even volunteered to buy gifts for over 20 children in our extended family, ensuring that each child receives something special. Watching their excitement as they open their gifts and see the joy in their eyes reminds me of the happiness I felt as a child.
5. Taking a Day Off to Celebrate
Eid is a time for everyone to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and fully enjoy the moment. Growing up, Eid was a day where no one worked, and my siblings and I spent it with our parents, extended family, and friends. Now, as a parent myself, I carry that tradition forward. My boys get a day off school, and I take a day off work so that we can be fully present for the celebrations. The day is all about celebrating our faith, enjoying delicious food, and making memories with those we love.
A Personal Connection to Eid
Eid holds a special place in my heart not just because of the traditions but because of the memories that come with it. I grew up in the village-like town of Badawi in Tripoli, Lebanon, where community was everything. Everyone knew each other, and celebrations like Eid brought the entire community together. It’s in that environment where I developed my love for food, family, and the beauty of shared celebrations.
Eid in Lebanon was like Christmas here—exciting, festive, and filled with a palpable community spirit. People were out in the streets, shopping, celebrating, and visiting one another. Now that I’m living in Australia, I miss that vibrant energy, but I make sure to bring that spirit into our home. We gather with family, organize activities, and make an effort to create a sense of celebration and togetherness—even if the streets aren’t buzzing like they were back home.
Creating New Traditions in Australia
My husband, who is Palestinian and Muslim, didn’t have the same strong emphasis on Eid celebrations during his childhood as I did. However, when we got married, I was determined to ensure that our children would experience the same joy and traditions I grew up with. I want them to feel the same excitement, the joy of wearing new clothes, receiving Eideyah, and, of course, enjoying all the delicious food. We’ve adapted some traditions, like taking days off from work and school, to make sure we can celebrate to the fullest.
Conclusion
Eid is a time to pause, reflect, and connect with family, faith, and culture. As I get older, I become more determined to make each Eid special for my family. The traditions, the food, the laughter, and the memories are what make Eid unforgettable for me. I look forward to every Eid with excitement and anticipation, knowing it will bring joy to our hearts and new memories to cherish.
To all of you celebrating Eid around the world, may your celebrations be filled with love, joy, and blessings.
Eid Mubarak!
With Love
5 Responses
I absolutely love eid as well, with me we were born and raised in Australia back when I was a child I remember the gatherings the ma3mul the food, most importantly FAMILY! my parents would buy us everything new from the under clothing to the pyjamas to the bed spreads and yes of course our eid clothes, my mum used to wake up at around 4:30am to ready and go to the mosque to prayer eid prayers i remember my mum carrying a big basket filled with lolly bags so my and my younger sister could go around and give to the kids at the mosque, then we would go back to my mums where all my older siblings meet and have breakfast, we also have lunch later on on, the home made wara2 3enib which is a must on first day of eid. then we exchange presents and as you mentioned 3ediyi (money). I’m married now with 4 kids and I made sure the way my parents bought me up as child loving eid I held the legacy down to my kids, my kids absolutely love eid 38 years and i still act like a child when eid approaches.
Eid Mubarak rouba to you and your beautiful may allah swt accept our fasts, prayers, dua and sadaqa yarab and a Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating eid around the world!
Eid Mubarak to you too! Your message brings back so many beautiful memories. It’s wonderful how you’ve carried on those traditions and created such a special Eid for your own family. I’m sure your kids feel the same love and joy that you did growing up. I’m exactly like you, a child when Eid comes! May Allah SWT accept all of our prayers, fasts, and good deeds. Wishing you and your family a blessed Eid filled with love and happiness!
Love all your videos and great recipes. Although I’m not of the Muslim faith I think it’s a beautiful celebration of life faith. Keep up the good work and many blessings to you and yours.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s beautiful how we all have our own traditions that shape us. I really appreciate your support and am grateful for your blessings.
I loved reading your post on how special Eid is to you. Love seeing posts of your extended familial celebrations.