Anaum's children decorated for Eid...and they totally absorbed the kit into their daily play! Cards got painted. Chain loops got cut and held and draped over a dinosaur as a blanket. At some point the decorating and the playing became the same thing.
That's probably the best outcome I could hope for.
The Eid pack was designed to be open-ended; painting blanks rather than pre-printed cards, chain loops rather than pre-assembled garlands. This is precisely so children could be the ones doing things, not just watching. Anaum's kids clearly understood the assignment. The house got decorated. The dinosaur also got decorated.
By Chaand Raat, the chain loops were in full splendour along with the gorgeous setup! That night Anaum left out a bag of toys for the children which is a Chaand Raat surprise, because the night before Eid has its own magic worth marking. In Muslim countries that magic spills into the streets: lights, henna stalls, toy sellers, children half-feral with excitement until well past any reasonable bedtime. In Australia it looks different, smaller, more homemade. But as Anaum put it herself: it's a whole vibe that's hard to replicate, but that doesn't mean we stop trying.
The chain loops in the background of those Chaand Raat visuals; hanging strong and doing their job; felt right to me. As a colourfuly part of a house that had been made ready for something.
Eid Mubarak to Anaum and her family. Thank you for letting these pieces become part of your home. I can't wait to see what Eid el-Adha brings!
Note from Marie: This has been so thrilling. Seeing my printable items in a home so full of love and joy has inspired me to keep drawing!
This blogpost has been contributed to by Anaum of @archwaytoplay