6 Ways to Celebrate Ramadan on a Budget
As Ramadan is only a few days away, Egyptian social media is mostly in between Mosalsalat (TV series) and food preparations for the most awaited month of the year. However, these preparations are accompanied by feelings of concern amid rising prices and a difficult economic reality in Egypt.
In Egypt, Ramadan is always a time of fasting, prayer, charity, and memorable gatherings of family and friends. This year, many fear they won’t be able to celebrate the way they usually do due to cutbacks on costs and even commodities.
Here are some ways to limit spending while still enjoying the holy month of Ramadan.
Host potlucks instead iftar meetings
One of the most essential aspects of Ramadan in Egypt is cozy iftar meetings. But since hosting a full dinner table can be a struggle for many this year, potlucks can be more doable. It would be necessary for each guest to bring a dish of their own choice rather than placing the entire responsibility on the host. This way, everyone can enjoy it iftar with a variety of dishes without any budget stress.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Make desserts at home
From red velvet bus bus to tres leches, dessert shops get very creative in Ramadan, however, we advise those on a budget to resist the urge to buy desserts and make them at home instead. As a family activity with the kids, or even experimenting on their own, homemade desserts can be delicious, affordable, and easy to prepare.
Do not consume too many drinks
Oh amar el deen (apricot nectar) to tamr hindi (tamarind), Ramadan drinks are a staple on every iftar table. But, instead of buying them all, and only spending two or three, stick to buying two or three types at most. As with the desserts, all these drinks can be made at home.
Avoid buying new lanterns and decorations
No one can deny that buying new Ramadan decorations brings joy to every family in Egypt. As with Christmas, Egyptians have tried to keep the spirit of the holiday indoors in recent years. However, it can be more effective to use decorations purchased from previous years rather than buying new ones each year.
Take offers and use discounts
To ease the burden on the Egyptians, the Egyptian Ministry of Supplies sent the Ahlan Ramadan (Welcome Ramadan) a market where products such as flour, meat and pasta are offered at discounted prices of up to 25 to 30 percent. In addition, hypermarkets such as Carrefour, and online stores such as Amazon also launched their Ramadan offers.
Reduce iftar and suhoor in restaurants
At iftar or suhoor It may be a bit overpriced as most tents and restaurants offer a non-negotiable set menu at a hefty price. It will prevent one from enjoying the family spirit that makes Ramadan more special. So, avoiding iftar and suhoor the outside of the house can help save money and keep the warm spirit of Ramadan in cozy settings.
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