It is very easy to often lose sight of what the real message of Ramadan is and to get drawn into the consumer culture that surrounds Ramadan. Whilst there is nothing wrong with wanting to decorate your home and to create a sense of spirituality that comes from adding lanterns and signs to make this month feel special (especially for those of us living in the West as we may feel we have lost what we felt back home) it is important to also not add pressure to make this month look a certain way.
- Focus on ways to create spirituality through worship. Dedicate a corner of your home that you enjoy going to for a few moments of calm away from the noise of the day. It can be an armchair where you read Quran, or a prayer mat laid out ready for you to perform salah.
- Create a feeling of togetherness by looking at how you can bring your family together. It can be first thing in the morning where you talk about your intentions for the day with your partner or reading books to your children that they can relate to the characters and the values that you want to instil in them. Think about cooking food for your neighbours with a small message about what Ramadan is or getting together with friends and family for iftar.
- Practice a sense of tradition in your home. If you enjoy decorating in small or big ways for this month look at bringing out key pieces every month. This will not only help the environment but will also make those items sentimental especially, for your children.
- When purchasing new items to decorate your home look at things that are long lasting and store well. Wooden plaques that are better for the environment. Lanterns that their style is timeless. Colours that you know you will enjoy seeing every year.
- Get yourself or your children involved by creating pieces that you can make at home yourself. These can be lanterns that you string together to hang or cards that you give to loved ones.