For children Eid is about Eidi and new clothes; for men it’s about indulging in the sweet delicacies and savouries; for elders it is anticipation for guests coming to meet them. Yet, it’s the women folk who have to make sure all this actually happens. From shopping for clothes and shoes as per each child’s taste, to cleaning of the home and the preparing for the goodies for endless Eid hospitality — it’s time for her to become superwoman (again!).

Here are a few tips which might serve to make Eid more organised so that women may also enjoy this holiday and festival. You’re probably freaking out because you don’t know where to start. Well, the first thing to do when gearing up for anything is making a list.

Make a list

Jot down all the items randomly which spring to mind about the chores that need to be tackled for Eid. Then give them an order with regards to priority. It might take half an hour or even less but your mind will feel completely sorted out. Now you have a plan of action: it just needs to be executed. Hang on to this list — it’ll help you in subsequent years!

Broadly, Eid preparation will revolve around the following three spectra:

Spring cleaning the home

Eid is a time when relatives and friends try to make an annual visit and come together for Eid gatherings. This tradition is heartening and reunites hearts and rekindles relationships. Yet, for women the influx of guests at all hours requires for the house to be to be spick and span right from Eid morning.

Start in advance: The last week of Ramazan is eventful, yet, the tedious spring cleaning of the home, especially the drawing room where the guests will be entertained, should begin at this point. The nooks, corners and the cobwebs hanging off the ceiling which have been neglected for some time should be tackled with a vengeance.

The right tools: Having the right long-handled brushes and brooms for the ceiling, wall corners and wood panels as well as electro-magnetic brushes for the fans and light fittings is a smart one-time investment. It sure beats dusting with a piece of cloth or normal jharu which is more tiring and won’t even give you effective results.

Plan a little in advance and have a relaxed Eid

Change is refreshing: Eid is a time when women wish to give a different look to their homes not only to receive appreciation from their guests but for the sake of a refreshing change. Usually this is achieved by taking down the day-to-day upholstery and putting up the ‘good’ curtains, bedspreads, mats and showpieces.

Do all this during the last days of Ramazan bit by bit rather than trying to tackle it all just a day before Eid. Try to involve the children too by making it a fun project so that they can channelise their vacation energy positively. Incorporate their ideas even if they might be wacky and far-fetched.

Pepper it with plants: Adding a bit of greenery to your balcony, window sills or your threshold will be a wonderfully affordable way to liven up your home and give a cooling effect in the heat.

Preparing Eid delicacies

Just when the long and tedious Iftar and Sehri sessions are over, comes the time to prepare treats to serve Eid guests. Instead of making complicated dishes, make your life easy:

One-bite savouries: Make or order one-bite items like pop-in-your-mouth samosas, kebabs, rolls, small éclairs, crackers with toppings, or sev puris which are easy to serve and delicious. Such items leave no room for wastage and food going rotten which may be the case when you make fruit chaat, cholaas and dahi baras. As far as greasy stuff goes, haven’t you had enough of fried goodies in Ramazan anyways?

Drinks galore: You will be doing yourself and your guests a favour if you serve drinks and shakes. Make use of the succulent fruits galore in the market and try your hand at mango smoothies, plum shakes, melon slushes and peach cocktails. These are all refreshing, hydrating and healthy items which your guests will relish in this heat. In fact, serve the sheer khorma cold!

Your freezer’s your best friend: Try to freeze pulps, cold cakes, pinwheel sandwiches and other such items which just need to be simply cut and served cold. The sign of any efficient home-maker is a well-stocked freezer with labelled items.

Eid clothes

Clean out your wardrobe: The first and foremost chore you should do this Eid is spring-clean your wardrobe. Take out all the suits you have been hanging on to even though you don’t fit into them or which are lying around because they are uncomfortable and give them to the needy. Give them to your maid — let her have the pleasure of having five joras this Eid! Do the same for the men’s and kid’s clothes too!

Don’t wait for Chand Raat: Have mercy on yourself and shop for Eid clothes beforehand. From the garments to the shoes and accessories — buy it all before hand. Go out during the day even if it might be tough for you during the rozas because the night crowds are a terror. If you have a penchant for shopping on Chand Raat then make sure it’s just for the bangles!

Laundry and tag: Laundry, iron and tag your clothes day wise in your cupboard with shoes and accessories.

Eid ‘is’ a time to reward yourself and celebrate. This doesn’t mean shunning your responsibilities as a home-maker or even declaring a strike from all the housework. That would be sabotaging Eid for your entire family. What one can do is plan for Eid well ahead, and plan smart so as to enjoy playing host and super mom!

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine July 12th, 2015

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