When a dear friend visits, we clean up every corner of the home, making it warm and welcoming for our guest. We do everything it takes to make them feel comfortable and at home. Ramadan is also a guest to us, visiting us once a year with it’s grace and bountiful blessings. After a busy year of hustle and bustle, our guest has finally arrived. It’s time for us to reflect, replenish and revive what is in our hearts. Our guest will be here only for a little while. So, let’s make the most of it.
This year, for North Americans, Ramadan is in the summer; the kids are let out of school as their busy, studious year comes to an end. With children home for Ramadan, I wanted to create a summery festive environment – something that can help boost their spirits and excitement for this beautiful month of mercy. So, I used materials I already had around in the home to create a colorful banner to welcome Ramadan to our humble abode. It’s simple to make with upcycled materials and pretty scrapbook papers.
Here is what you need:
- 6 empty juice boxes
- 6 scrapbook paper sheets (of various coordinating prints)
- solid colored cardstock
- ribbon
- glue dots and/or glue
- scissors
- hole puncher
- long medium weight string
Glue dots are a genius product. It’s fast and easy to use. There is no need for drying and creates very little, if no mess at all. I found mine at the local dollarstore but it can also be found at your local craftstore.
Cut the tops of the juice boxes and thoroughly rinse the inside. Set aside to air-dry or dry with a small towel.
Measure the perimeter and length of the juice boxes and cut your scrapbook papers accordingly. Leave an extra 1″ flap so you can overlap when wrapping the scrapbook paper around the boxes. Using the glue dots or glue, apply it to the surface of the juice boxes and wrap the paper around the box.
Using ribbon, tie each box with a little bow. Use a glue dot to secure the ribbon to the wrapped box.
Cut out 7 small flags about 5″ x 3″ in dimension from your solid colored cardstock. You can cut a little upside-down ‘V’ to the bottom of the flags for some added detail. Now, using the remaining printed scrapbook paper, cut out the letters to spell ‘RAMADAN’.
Glue the letters to the flags – one letter per flag. Hole punch to top 2 corners. Set aside.
Attach ribbon to the tops of the wrapped boxes using glue dots to create an arch. This is where the boxes will be hung from.
Using the medium weight string, thread the holes on the flags and alternate with the pretty wrapped boxes. Once complete, find a nice place to hang your pretty Ramadan banner. At our home, we decided to hang it in our living room where we spend most of our time.
The wall was looking a little bare to my kids so we decided to add some extra flare with colorful poufs. You can find the tutorial to make your own handmade poufs below.
What you need:
- colored tissue paper
- string
- scissors
To make a medium sized pouf, you will need about 8 layers of tissue. Cut the tissues into squares, 10″ x 10″.
If you want a multicolored pouf, simply use the colors you wish and stack them together. Then fold the tissue like an accordion.
Tie the center with string and trim the ends to form ‘V’-shaped ends as seen in the folded pouf to the right.
Starting from the top layer, begin to gently pull the tissue towards the center, one layer at a time. Careful not the tear the tissue!
Once complete, it should look like this. Now using painter’s tape or low residue masking tape, attach to the wall in selected areas. And, that’s it! You’re done!
Now display your simple creation all month long and help bring back some of that Ramadan spirit!
Ramadan Mubarak from our family to yours! Please remember us in your prayers.
~Sobia of The Olive Tree Soap Company
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