Ramadan is just days away and instead of the usual mix of excitement and anticipation, most of us are swimming in waves of uncertainty. Maybe you have accepted life as it is now or you might still be struggling, either way, the good news is that Ramadan usually disrupts life as we know it anyway. So, it might be comforting for you to remember that change is just another part of the journey.
Ramadan is typically a really busy month, and for the first time we might be looking at a socially distant experience. We won’t be able to meet with friends and family for the indulgent first day Iftar, stuff our faces at Ghabqas or hand out candy to the cherubic little ones during Gerge’aan. But we refuse to wallow in self or community pity and we know that we can still rock Ramadan.
Prepping and planning are our tools. We’ve already rolled up our sleeves and are thinking up ways to get our homes, our social activities and most importantly, our selves, pumped up for the holy month.
Home
Since most of us have been home for weeks, we have already managed to declutter and tidy up (if you are still in the process we have some great tips). Ever since we were little ones in school, we made paper lanterns for the month, and the entire world seems to put them up too, so we have been socially conditioned to expect and accept them, and to be honest, we are sort of missing them right now.
But we’re not desperate enough to bust out the construction paper and scissors just yet. Instead, we’re going to be using scented candles . We’re focusing on scents we associate with tradition, culture and heritage. We’re loving woodsy and nutty smells like sandalwood, patchouli and oud. Diffusers are also a great way to infuse your hallways and rooms with scent without worrying about live fire. If you are a purist, then grab your coal and mubkhar. There is something meditative about delicately placing pieces of bukhoor and watching the smoke dance across it.
Since we don’t want to make our own lanterns, IKEA has a fabulous selection and we love using them for corner and accent lighting. You can use small, tea-light candles or LED battery operated ones, which are safer, especially if you have young children or pets who might be too attracted to the light. Get a couple and place them at different heights, they will give your room the impression of looking much more sophisticated and magical.
It might also be time to get rid of your mismatched dinner plates and cutlery. If you own a fancy set of dinnerware for guests and a separate set for your own daily use, congratulations, you remind us of our grandmothers. It might also mean that your every day set is not exactly the prettiest. Since we do not have any guests coming over this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in a fancier set for you and your family. You deserve the fancy china every day, and not just to show off when you have people coming over.
We know you might have been lounging since lockdown started, but Ramadan will probably push you to an extreme, which is why we think that you need to give your living room a little makeover. Invest in some throws and cushions. Now is the perfect time to look at solid colors that come in textured fabrics and beautiful geometric prints. You can go full on Ramadany and opt for Islamic motifs or stick to simpler shapes like triangles, hexagons and rectangles for a more modern look that will continue to work all year round.
Food
If you haven’t already been bitten by the baking bug, now is the time to revisit your kitchen. The good news is that you don’t have to be a chef to create wonderful meals. Deliveroo has a special section on their app now called “Cook At Home”. Your favorite restaurants will send you all of the ingredients you need to recreate your comfort foods. Everything is pre-measured, packaged and ready for you to make. The instructions will walk you through everything.
There was one thing we were really worried about. Iftar knafeh! Whether your are #teamKanafany or #teamKnafetHabibah, with the new updated curfew timings and restaurants being allowed to function outside them, we are releived that we will be getting our sizzling sugary delights. But with so much extra time on our hands, 2020 might be the year we finally conquer traditional Arabic desserts because we intend to try making them at home.
Social Life
Ramadan is synonymous with get-togethers. It is a non-stop show of friends and family meeting up to enjoy food and each other’s company. We have already explained Zoom to our parents so we can enjoy family time around the table. There’s a silver lining too, we can now socialize with our friends all over the world during Ramadan because we are no longer beholden to time zones.
We’ve also noticed that we have been picking up the phone more often to make *gasp* actual phone calls. Older relatives are more comfortable with it and life long friends don’t need to see our messy hair and unwashed faces. Just sitting on the couch and having a heart to heart leaves everyone feeling happier and more connected.
Ourselves
Our inner selves are just as important during Ramadan as all the externalities. This year is a golden opportunity to use the shift in routine to take a look inwards. Since you are not invited to a bazillion things, you can focus on eating healthier. Even if you are not working out, you can try a walk-at-home workout to stay fit and healthy.
The situation is not ideal for everyone all over the globe. But we’re focusing on the things we can change, the people we can connect with and the blessings we can count so we can have a beautiful and blessed Ramadan.
Can we start calling it Quaradan? Coronadan? No? Ok fine. Let us know what you are doing to get ready for Ramadan by emailing us at info@bazaar.town or DM us on Instagram. Photo by Vladimir Mokry on Unsplash.
