Friday, September 01, 2006

It's that time of year....

Ramadan is coming. I have a new calendar project in the works, but here are the things I did last year.

Ramadan Surprise Calendar

Ramadan Date Chain

And check out this little article on why you should plan for Ramadan.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Asalamalaykom and thank you for getting me excited about Ramadan. This is a hard mind-bend for me. I use to love the simple celebrations around the winter holidays.

Tonight, my kids and I started remembering the gingerbread house we made last December at grandma's. We began dreaming of a different project...a gingerbread dollhouse...a gingerbread castle...with royal family...and a blue moat...and on and on!

It hit me right then. Why was I on my mother's holiday schedule? She likes decorating gingerbread in December, but couldn't we do it at Eid this October? Sure we could! I'm going to ask her next phone call.

Again, thanks for getting my mind in gear. :)

UmmLayla said...

I think there is something to be said for special activities for Ramadan and the Eids. We do lights inside the house and I hang banners and balloons. We have a good time with it. I wish I could get more lanterns from Egypt... Insha'Allah, next time we go. Really, since we have no community here I feel like I have to make a point of doing something to make it special or it will pass as just another month for the kids.

Anonymous said...

Salaam Umm Layla, i made the date chain last year and the kids loved it and i will do it again this year inshaAllah. the Surprise calendar looks too complicated and tedious but the date chain was quick and easy to do.

UmmLayla said...

yeah, mona... the surprize box is a little harder. my variation this year uses fabric to make little pockets and should be a litte easier. plus, it will roll up to store in a smaller space. insha'allah i will have a complete instruction post soon.

Surviving said...

I'm looking forward to seeing your instruction post for your new idea. I just thought of something that might work but I don't have a sewing machine. I want to do something for my kids.

Sketched Soul said...

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dear sister,

Jazak'Allah for the wonderful ideas. A few days ago, I had just read your 'Ramadan Surprise Calendar' and thought of making one for my nephews, insha'Allah. It's a wonderful way to make them aware and teach them how important the month of Ramadaan is.

If I do end up making anything, I shall let you know how it goes..insha'Allah.

Ma'salaama
Farhana

UmmZaynab said...

as-salaamu `alaykum if you ladies have any comments or additional suggestions about the Ramadhan Surprise calendars, or better yet pictures of ones you have made, please email them to me at islamic parenting (at) juno (dot) com so I can add them to that page. I have ended my blog and the comments there are no longer working but I am keeping the instructions for the boxes up and I would be happy to add pictures of the boxes you all make!

UmmZaynab said...

Honorary Arab you reminded me that I used to do Gingerbread House Building Parties for me and my friends when I was in high school. We even built the Portland Head Lighthouse once!

UmmZaynab said...

Oh, UmmLayla these are kind of pricey but here's what we're doing this year for a lantern project:

Go to Nova Natural's website http://www.novanatural.com and search for "lantern" and you'll get the lantern kit. The transparency paper you're supposed to make them with is out of stock except for a too-big ($38) and too-small (6 inches) sets so I'm going to look at the art supply store for something similar.