Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

Kids are so excited because Eid, the Muslim holiday after the holy month of Ramadan is only a few days away. Kids get to eat delicious sweets and chocolates, and they wear new clothes on the morning of Eid. Most mosques give children candy bags after the early morning Eid prayer.



The three days of Eid are packed with fun: visiting friends and relatives, playing with friends, going to festivals and amusement parks to enjoy the exciting rides, and buying toys.



All kids love Eid especially because they receive money from uncles, aunts, and grandparents. Mom and Dad usually decorate the house and give their children plenty of gifts and toys.



Before Eid starts, let us take the time to plan something kind and thoughtful, and to make this Eid extra special for mothers.



Think about your mother and all the hard work she has done during Ramadan. Mom wakes up while the children are sleeping and resting. She cleans the house, washes clothes, cooks, plays with you and your younger brother and sister, and she still tries to find time to pray and read Qur’an at night. She cooks the most delicious foods so you can eat a wonderful meal for iftar.



Did you ever think of how hard it must be for her to stand in the kitchen for hours, baking cake and frying the sambusa in hot oil on these hot summer days, and to smell the aroma of tasty foods while she is fasting?



It is mom who deserves a gift. Surprise your mom this Eid with a gift that you have made just for her, to show her how much you appreciate and love her, and to put a smile on her face.



For moms who love reading, kids can make some creative and easy-to-make bookmarks. You can draw or color some pretty patterns, or choose an artistic design on the internet and print it out from your computer. Cut the bookmark into a rectangular shape and then stick it onto something stronger than regular paper, such as thin cardboard or construction paper. On the backside you can write your name or a message: ‘I love you mom’ or ‘Happy Eid’ or ‘Eid Mubarak.’ You can also let your dad in on your secret gift for Mom and ask him to take the bookmark to a store where he can put a protective plastic coating on the bookmark. Here are some ideas of bookmarks that kids have made for their moms.



Everyone knows that all mothers love flowers. But there is one problem: you are still a little too young to drive down to the florist’s shop and buy a bouquet of roses. Instead, you can create your own flowers out of colorful construction paper at home, and your mom will surely be happy. Look at these lovely flowers that you can make for your mom; some kids used popsicle-sticks for the stems of the flowers.



Mom can always use an extra jewelry box to organize and hide her fancy earrings or rings or her expensive watch that she wears only to fancy parties. Search around the house for any small, plain box and decorate it to turn it into a beautiful treasure box for her jewelry. You can decorate the box with gift wrap paper or construction paper, or you can paint it, and glue on beads, buttons, and heart or flower shapes that you cut out of colored paper.



Make your mom a vase that she can put on her bedside table, or the dining table, or the coffee table in the living room. In your kitchen you can find an empty glass jar or bottle that is perfect for this gift. Paint the jar or bottle, tie some ribbons around it, or wrap it in brightly colored yarn. You have just made something that your mother can use either as a vase or as a pencil and pen holder.  

Whichever gift you decide to make your mom, do not forget to give her something even more special on the morning of Eid: a big hug and kiss!