fbpx

Tell Your Neighbors About Ramadan and ‘Eid With Homemade Goodie Bags

Nearly ten years ago when I began speaking at local libraries, churches and schools about Islam, Muslims, Ramadan, and/or ‘Eid, I would carry a bag of educational materials like handouts, brochures, power point presentations and more instructional things of that nature. It wasn’t until I started going to public schools with my friends who have children that I realized how fun it would be to pass out gift bags of goodies that would also do their own explaining about Muslim holidays, something the kids could take home to parents. I quickly realized how much fun it was for adults to get them, too.

'Eid ul Fitr explained in a party favor bag

Explain ‘Eid with decorative inserts that talk about the holiday in a concise way

Since then, I’ve been creating and passing out different versions of goodie bags to all of my neighbors, co-workers, and anyone  I felt comfortable enough giving them to who might be interested in learning a little more about our holiday. The bags are cute and instructive and festive. You can make them with any type of bags (check resources at the end) and tie them up with cute colored ribbons and even attach your business card, family name or child’s name if making these for your child’s classmates.

side by side favors

Inside I include almonds, chocolate-covered raisins, yogurt-covered raisins, chocolate-covered almonds You can do whatever type of candies you like, of course. I typically see a lot of dried dates in favor bags at Muslim weddings and aqeeqahs (celebration after a baby is born), but keep in mind that many of your neighbors might not know what it is or how to consume it unless you tell them.

eid card

I also include an insert on one side that explains what Ramadan is, while on the other side there is an insert that explains what ‘Eid is.

re-size four to a page

They’re really easy to do and you only need a few things, but you do need to set aside some extra time to put them together.

Use Arabian style decorative scissors by Fiskars

Once my short Ramad and and ‘Eid summary are typed up (4 to a page), I print them out on nice resume paper. These were off-white/cream because I like that color, but you can obviously use a color you like and probably even get fancier. I then use the Arabian-style decorative scissors by Fiskars to cut them out and make pretty edges. I will try to get a downloadable PDF of the inserts to everyone soon, insha’allah.

take a whole bunch to a party

Next, I just add all the candies (mix them all up in a large bowl first- makes it go a lot faster), then add the insert cards and tie up nicely. They look so cute and really presentable if you’re taking a whole bunch to a school or gathering. I like to bring them on a nice decorative tray or plate to pass out or allow guests to grab for themselves.

Ramadan and Eid Party Favor Bags

So, what do you think? Is this something you might give to your neighbors, friends or co-workers to help them understand what Ramadan and ‘Eid is all about?  What other suggestions do you have for making pretty favor bags or gifts for a similar cause?

Download these plain goodie bag inserts with your own colored or textured paper and use decorative scissors to make the edges elegant and pretty, too!

Download the Ramadan Goodie Bag Insert Card HERE.

Download the Eid ul Fitr Goodie Bag Insert Card HERE.

Looking for something for Eid ul Adha?

Download the Eid ul Adha Goodie Bag Insert Card HERE.

Additional Resources

Check out sites like ModernEid.com and SilverEnvelope.com for Ramadan and ‘Eid gift bags and party supplies. Want something already made?   The Sweet Dawah™ Cookie or Cupcake Kits by Silver Envelope in collaboration with My Halal Kitchen might be exactly what you’re looking for! Check out all the beautiful and unique varieties HERE.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. MyHalalKitchen.com is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Please see my affiliates disclosure page for more detailed information about the companies with who I am affiliated. 

Related Articles

Responses

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. What a great idea mashaAllah. We usually bake biscuits but then you have to make stronger boxes/bags so they don’t crumble. These would be much easier to have stashed away. Thank you for sharing. Wassalaam, Shukriye

  2. Yvonne, I love this idea! However your comment about “many of your neighbors might not know what it is or how to consume it unless you tell them” in reference to dried dates, sounded odd to me. As a non-Muslim, I can’t imagine that anyone doesn’t know about or how to eat dates. Am I missing something? My family typically bought unpitted dates, stuffed them w/ peanut butter (or an almond) & rolled them in powdered sugar. They were also chopped & put into salads, oatmeal, puddings & date nut bread. If unpitted dates aren’t available, then we have to pit them ourselves. But certainly we’d know how to eat a date. If I’ve misunderstood what you were saying, kindly advise. I’m going to pass along your educational goodie bag idea to my Muslim friends. Blessings…

    1. Many of my non Muslim friends and family do not know how to eat dates. especially the whole ones with the pits. I always have to show them how to pull them apart and to take the pit out before eating.. Dates are not common to eat. Never had one until i became Muslim. 🙂

    2. I reverted back to Islam over 16 years ago. Prior to that I had never heard of a date. Each household is different and dates aren’t as common to some people as it is to your family. You were blessed. Peace.

    3. I had given fresh cherry tomatoes ( about 1/2 cups ) to someone. She asked “what I’m gonna do with them”….!. Im thinking, Eeeee, just eat them! So, I am not suprised to any thing anymore….

  3. @Rev. Cynthia- the dates I’m talking about are more of a candy-type date and are eaten as such for celebrations. They are hard, dried dates that actually need to be boiled to soften them if you want to use them in cooking, for example in rice and meat dishes. This was something I didn’t know the first few times I received them in party bags. That’s why I mentioned it in that way, because I had been through it personally. Maybe I should have made the distinction between the fresh vs. sticky vs. dried ones since dates as we know them most commonly are technically considered a dried fruit. Here’s a link to some photos of the type of dates I’m talking about- http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/117975603/Dried_dates.html OR http://www.stockphotopro.com/photo_of/tabletop/AHTFA7/AAD_91570_Healthy_nutritious OR http://chaandbazaar.com/f1-Dried-Dates.html

  4. Please note, everyone that I’ve added two downloadable PDFs to this post so that you can either use them as a template or print on your favorite paper and use in your own goodie bags. Enjoy!

  5. This is a wonderful way to share Ramadan with neighbors, Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. It’s sweet, simple, and attractive! Thanks for the idea AND the template. I also wanted to thank you for mentioning SilverEnvelope.com!

    Ramadan Mubarak!

  6. Thanks so much for posting photos of the “dried” dates you were mentioning, Yvonne. Wowee, those certainly are WAY different than what I’m used to seeing & eating. I would have had no clue as to what to do w/ these & I stand corrected! Are they candied?

    I’ve been spreading this article far & wide as a wonderful idea for educating folks about Ramadan & Eid.

  7. Assalaamu aleikum! I was wondering how I can find the ramadan and eid templates on PDF? Each time I try to get to the site where they are, I end up somewehere else. Hope inshAllaah, someone finds the time to answer me or send the templates to my e-mail.

    1. @ummatiyaah- sorry about that; will try to get that fixed as soon as possible; it may have a glitch due to the transfer of the new website template.

      1. I really really want the What is Ramadan template, but also whenever i click, it takes me somewhere else. Im in the process of making the goodie bags now so hoping the link will start to work soon, insha’Allah

        1. I agree with this as well. As Ramadan month is going on we need to look for Halal food. I am searching for this as well.

  8. Hello,

    The PDF forms you have on this web site do t open up and you cant download them , can you please email me the PDF’s for the (Ramadan, Eid al fitr, and Eid al Adha).

    Thank you

  9. Masha-Allah I think this is an excellent idea. Could you please e-mail me templates for Ramadan, Eid al fitr, and Eid al Adha. I would love to make these for my work colleagues.

    1. Miriam, they will be updated at this blog post. We just realized that with our latest update of the website some of the PDF links were lost. Please check back soon, okay? Thanks!

  10. I know of a site who has almost 300 eid,Ramadan and Hajj products.it also is a charity site for Muslims the world over. it has long lost goodie bags.they are special.they have stars and crescent moons and they are gold and shimmery and glittery.they are 5.99 for eight.and we have so much more.go to eid decorations then go to balloons then click on the picture twice to get it really big so you can see how beautiful they are.Feeamani Allah Sister Debbie

  11. Salam, This is such a beautiful idea but i’ve been trying for days to download or even print these inserts. The link keeps taking me back to top of the article. Please help me. Can you send me the details or link direct to my email add. JZK Humma

  12. Salaam,
    I am having the same issue as Humma with the link for the downloads…please Fix it so we can all benefit insha’Allah. Jazak’Allah Khair

  13. I like the ideal of Ramadan; I only believe in One Almighty One and I try to do things to get closer to him by trying to make days to worship and study Him. I haven’t chosen any religion because The Almighty never told me where to join Plus I don’t know to much about any religion to say I truly believe it but maybe The Almighty will show me soon; I was not brought up in a church or anything like that; It was as a spiritualist thing where people talk to spirits and The Almighty called me out of there I tried some churches but found many lies. I understand and feel that The Almighty doesn’t want to share His glory or worship. Then there’s other people for example I go to the kosher butcher to get food but he acts funny he questions me to see if I am jewish I am not but I am trying not to eat pork and I also love my halal food for the same reason, In my heart I feel The Almighty don’t want anyone to eat pork.
    Thank you for all your great recipes for replacing pork!
    Last statement is it ok to eat cow stomach because when I used to eat pork I liked pork rinds and I figure out I can flavor it put it in oven on 225 and it crisp up for a good snack.
    Have a nice day and be Blessed

  14. Just wanted to say I love this idea and Insha’Allah this year I will be using your templates and making efforts to let my neighbors know about Ramadan. I want to mention that there is a slight typo on the Ramadan template lol – sorry to be the nit-picker! haha — “to make peace with those who around them” should be edited.

  15. Salam. Thank you for the great idea! I am going to print these and place them inside goodie bags for my kids’ classmates. Since the Eid this year falls a week before Halloween, there is also plenty of fun sized candy on sale at stores 🙂

  16. Salam sister
    Thank you so much for this great idea. I will be using it for my kids teachers. But i noticed that on eid adha download that eid is 3 days. Eid al adha is 4 days. The 10th day of thil hijja and the next three days are days of tashreeq that prophet peace be upon him said to celebrate and eat and we can do udhia on these days.
    Again jazaki allah khairan

  17. Masha’Allah, this is a brilliant idea, may Allah set reward you and your family , Ameen. I have elderly neighbours I really want to give something to. This would be an excellent way to show Islam in a good light Insha’Allah.

  18. Eid Mubarak! This year I’ll do the same inshaallah. Thank you for adding the card notes to this post. It’s really helpful.

Get the latest updates & lots of FREE goodies!

Subscribe To My Quick Bites Newsletter

By signing up, you’ll be notified when new recipes and other tasty treats are cooked up in my kitchen!