Eid in Quarantine: 16 tips to make it special

We may still be in lockdown due to COVID-19 in most parts of the United States, Canada, and in other countries, but that doesn’t mean we can forget about celebrating Eid with joy and creativity; we will be celebrating Eid in quarantine.

There are essential Sunnahs of Eid that all of us should strive to fulfill. And then there are extras that can make the day fun even in our current situation. Here are a few eid ideas to spend Eid in quarantine;

1. Clean and decorate beforehand - your house AND your car. Balloons, banners, and lights are staples of making your home look festive. This Eid, include your car. Clean and decorate it as well. You’ll see why in a tip below. 
2. Dress up. While sweatpants have become the unofficial quarantine wardrobe of choice for many, ditch them for something new, or at least formal and festive for Eid. That’s part of the Sunnah, whether you choose to go out or not. 
3. Drive over to the Masjid parking lot for an Eid car caravan. If it won’t disturb the neighbors and it doesn’t violate any city ordinances, drive through the Masjid parking lot with family and friends and honk your horns, saying “Eid Mubarak!” out loud. Avoid early morning and late night hours. 
4. Drive past Muslim neighbors’ and friends’ houses and wish them Eid Mubarak from your car. Text them beforehand to make sure you arrive at a convenient time.
5. Order your Eid feast if you can afford it. While cooking up a storm is an Eid day cultural staple, this year, consider ordering in. Restaurants have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, and while most are closed for eating in, many are offering takeout and delivery. If it’s too expensive to order a full meal, choose an entree or just dessert. 
6. Bring out the BBQ. With the weather warming up by Eid in colder parts of the U.S. and Canada, this is a great time to break out the grill or borrow one and hold an Eid BBQ in the yard. 
7. Visit a new beach, forest preserve, or hiking trail. Heading outdoors while maintaining the required physical distance has been recommended during the quarantine, especially for exercise. Visit a new place for a change of scenery and to take some great photos in your Eid day finery. 
8. Choose an Eid-related Zoom background. Whoever you will be in touch with on Eid day on Zoom will probably enjoy seeing a festive background far more than another wall or bookshelf. Google “eid zoom backgrounds” for ideas. 
9. Zoom or Facetime with grandparents or older relatives to wish them “Eid Mubarak”! and have them share Eid memories. Many grandparents or great-grandparents remember a time when Eid was a much smaller affair, and making it fun for their kids was a challenge - kind of like Ramadan and Eid in quarantine this year. Ask them how they made Eid special with the limited resources they had. 
10. Zoom or Facetime with anyone you know who is alone on Eid day in isolation to wish them “Eid Mubarak”!
11. For kids, open Eid presents together over Zoom or Facetime. This will offer a shared and memorable experience. 
12. Curate an Eid playlist. Put together the soundtrack of the day by choosing great Eid songs you can sing along to in the car, or have playing in the background as you feast on your Eid meal.
13. Watch an Eid show on America’s only Muslim Network television to feel that sense of community. 
14. Host a virtual henna party. In many Muslim countries, women and girls paint their hands with henna for Eid. Why not host an Eid day virtual henna party on Zoom or Google Hangouts? Paint hands together and share the designs. 
15. Host an Eid day Minecraft or gaming tournament. Play your favorite online games together. 
16. End the day with Dua and Sadaqa. Cap off a unique Eid day with Dua and an online donation to the charity of your choice. Give whatever you can afford, thanking Allah for this opportunity, and the many blessings you were able to experience despite the challenging circumstances. This is how we can celebrate Eid in quarantine.