Inspiration for an Eye-Catching Eid
A designer who saw a need for a Muslim holiday decor line shares tips for a festive end to Ramadan
When Reem Sayes was a little girl, her parents would drive her around to see the twinkling Christmas lights that set the houses in their suburban Chicago town aglow. Sayes, who is Muslim-American, remembers wishing the Islamic holidays her family celebrated had similarly visible home decor traditions. In 2015, Sayes, by then a mom of two and still unable to find traditional holiday decor that reflected her personal taste, created her own.
“I designed one light, but I just designed it for my family, honestly,” Sayes says. “And when I got it, me and my husband kind of looked at each other like, ‘Oh, wait, this is a need.’”
“I designed one light, but I just designed it for my family, honestly,” Sayes says. “And when I got it, me and my husband kind of looked at each other like, ‘Oh, wait, this is a need.’”
Light Up the Lawn
With many Ramadan family gatherings taking place after sunset, outside lanterns are fitting (and practical) details.
With many Ramadan family gatherings taking place after sunset, outside lanterns are fitting (and practical) details.
The first design Sayes came up with for her line was an LED exterior light that spelled out the traditional “Eid Mubarak” (or “Blessed Celebration”) greeting, but any added decorative light, like this crescent moon and minaret design from Days of Eid, or other outdoor lantern would work to signify the festive occasion to neighbors and passers-by.
Get Lantern Happy
Inside, lanterns can play just as important and pretty a role. Whether they’re traditional Moroccan-style lanterns, like those seen here, or star-shaped paper lanterns, the hanging, glowing elements can create a delicate, celebratory atmosphere by lighting the way down a dark hallway for the predawn meal of suhoor or brightening the dining area after dark as the family enjoys the meal of iftar.
Inside, lanterns can play just as important and pretty a role. Whether they’re traditional Moroccan-style lanterns, like those seen here, or star-shaped paper lanterns, the hanging, glowing elements can create a delicate, celebratory atmosphere by lighting the way down a dark hallway for the predawn meal of suhoor or brightening the dining area after dark as the family enjoys the meal of iftar.
Sayes embellished marquee letters she found at her local craft store before she developed her own Eid-specific products like this crescent moon light.
To create your own festive interior lighting, she suggests painting empty glass jars with jewel-toned paint, embellishing them with gold fabric paint and then popping a battery-operated tea light candle inside each jar before placing them around your space.
“It sets the mood, and you have those vibrant colors and the lights, so it’s a really nice way to decorate,” Sayes says.
To create your own festive interior lighting, she suggests painting empty glass jars with jewel-toned paint, embellishing them with gold fabric paint and then popping a battery-operated tea light candle inside each jar before placing them around your space.
“It sets the mood, and you have those vibrant colors and the lights, so it’s a really nice way to decorate,” Sayes says.
Find Inspiration in Traditional Patterns
The rich jewel tones and geometric patterns like this that can be found in many examples of artwork also work as holiday inspiration.
“The best thing is to just go look up Islamic art and just start there,” Sayes says. “Get that print and put it on something pretty, and you’ve already added so much more to your home.”
The rich jewel tones and geometric patterns like this that can be found in many examples of artwork also work as holiday inspiration.
“The best thing is to just go look up Islamic art and just start there,” Sayes says. “Get that print and put it on something pretty, and you’ve already added so much more to your home.”
Sayes says she incorporates additional rich teals, emeralds, blues and golds into her seasonal decor and suggests adding a pop of pattern, like the kind seen here, into pieces on display this time of year using patterned tape, fabric or wrapping paper.
See more ways to decorate with jewel tones
See more ways to decorate with jewel tones
Strike a Balance
As a Muslim-American, Sayes says she sometimes struggles to find a happy medium between celebrating with traditional style and keeping her home feeling on trend and fresh. Tapping into Islamic design through certain shapes, messages, colors and patterns while still reflecting a contemporary aesthetic is doable year-round, as her line shows; it just might require some creativity. The same kind of creativity and balance are also at the heart of creating a modern but meaningful holiday display.
Tell us: Do you decorate for Ramadan and Eid? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More: 9 Ways to Bring Moroccan Flavor to Your Interiors
As a Muslim-American, Sayes says she sometimes struggles to find a happy medium between celebrating with traditional style and keeping her home feeling on trend and fresh. Tapping into Islamic design through certain shapes, messages, colors and patterns while still reflecting a contemporary aesthetic is doable year-round, as her line shows; it just might require some creativity. The same kind of creativity and balance are also at the heart of creating a modern but meaningful holiday display.
Tell us: Do you decorate for Ramadan and Eid? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More: 9 Ways to Bring Moroccan Flavor to Your Interiors
And Sayes isn’t the only one who has recently recognized that Muslim-Americans’ holiday decorating options were lacking. In May, party supply chain Party City announced it will now carry Ramadan and Eid decorations online.
As the month of Ramadan draws to a close, we spoke with Sayes about her inspiration and how those who celebrate Eid — which will start at sundown on June 14 this year — can incorporate festive decor at home for the holiday.