The holy month of Ramadan is almost over, and according to a decree issued by the Egyptian cabinet, the Eid Al-Fitr holidays will be extended for five days. For many Egyptians, this time of year is a time for finding joy in planning various activities with friends and family to celebrate. It is a time for bringing families and friends together over the holiday. With varying levels of lockdown restrictions in place across Egypt due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this year's celebrations will be very different to those in years prior to 2020. As an example, the religious activities related to Eid Al-Fitr may change, including the prayers that take place at the beginning of the celebration. Family traditions that accompany times of celebration such as the Eid, will also likely be affected. Considering the current situation, all we have to do is to be more creative in how we join in the celebrations. Here, Daily News Egypt has gathered the most creative ways to celebrate this year's Eid Al-Fitr holidays during the coronavirus restrictions. Since people will have to stay at home for most of the holiday, it is the home that should have some festive vibes. Decorating should not be limited to setting up balloons in the home, instead you can add scented candles, lanterns, or fairy lights to add atmosphere. For children, people should consider setting up a sweet corner and putting all their favourite snacks and sweets. Speaking about family and friends, people should think of alternative ways to meet up, instead maybe gathering online to eat a meal together or play party games as the best option. But in case face-to-face family meetings are possible, people should make sure to take the necessary safety precautions and keep sanitisers, disposable towels, and other hygiene products handy. One of the best ways to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr at home is giving gifts. The gifts do not have to be very expensive, small gifts will also be a pleasant surprise. People can also give their children the Eidaya in a gift box along, with some sweets or small toys. The Eidaya is a gift of money that is usually given to children by elder relatives and family friends as part of the celebration of the two Muslim holidays, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. The Eid Al-Fitr lunch is also a very important tradition for Egyptians, with feseekh, a salted and fermented fish dish, being eaten in gardens or parks. This tradition will change slightly due to the recent restrictions, but Egyptians are still likely to eat the dish. But people can enjoy having a family Eid Al-Fitr lunch on the balcony at home, just to enjoy the fresh air. Others who reside in villas can even set up a small party in their home and eat their food outdoors, to enjoy the feast even more. After that, the whole family can play some fun games at home. People can also organise some family games for their children which can be played indoors, in order to have quality family time. At night, the whole family can also gather to have a film night. In order to ensure that you have the best film night, there are some steps that can be followed. One of these is food, as there are always the classic cinematic options of popcorn, soda, and sweets. The popcorn is the best part about a trip to the cinema theatre, besides the film itself. People can also buy the popcorn containers that look just like the tubs they get at the cinema too. Also if the family wants to make their evening a little bit more special, they can opt for a home-cooked meal, alongside wearing matching family pyjamas to make the film night an event.
