Eidiya: A Tradition That Teaches Financial Responsibility in UAE Families

As Eid Al Fitr celebrations finish, many parents within the UAE are reflecting on the conventional practice of Eidiya—the money and items given to children at some point of the festive duration. While it is a comfortable custom, some parents view it as an possibility to teach financial duty, helping kids recognize the price of cash from an early age. With a few children receiving anywhere between Dh500 to Dh5,000, many families are looking at creative approaches to stability a laugh with monetary education.

Blending Tradition with Financial Literacy

Nada Al-Aleeli, a mother from Sharjah, believes in permitting her young daughter to experience a part of her Eidiya at the same time as additionally saving for the destiny. “I permit her select a toy she wants, but the relaxation of the money is going closer to an funding,” she explained. This year, Nada has determined to shop for gold for her daughter, viewing it as a protracted-time period asset.

While Nada’s daughter is most effective three years vintage and does now not yet understand the concept of financial savings, she believes it’s far critical to instill economic consciousness early. “When kids spend their own money, they price their purchases greater and progressively analyze the significance of saving,” she said.

Eid as a Teaching Moment for Generosity and Budgeting

For many parents, Eid is not just about gift-giving however additionally about teaching treasured classes in financial management. A Dubai-based totally instructional representative and conduct specialist, who runs the Motherly.Ae platform, emphasised the significance of dividing Eidiya strategically.

“For me, Eid is a hazard to educate my kids approximately generosity and cash management,” she shared. Her method includes splitting the Eidiya into 3 portions: one for charity, one for personal enjoyment (which include toys or treats), and one for financial savings. This balanced technique allows her kids to rejoice even as also learning about economic responsibility.

Fostering Lifelong Financial Habits

Samah AlHajeri, CEO and Founder of Rethink Community and Samah & Associates, sees Eidiya as more than just a monetary present—it’s an opportunity to nurture life abilties and values. “Eidiya represents joy, own family bonding, cultural traditions, and generosity,” she stated. For Samah, these factors shape her children’s know-how of monetary obligation.

She takes a holistic approach, encouraging her kids to experience part of their Eidiya however additionally discussing the importance of saving, making an investment, and giving to those in need. “I want my kids to look money as a tool for empowerment, now not as some thing to worry or be concerned approximately,” she defined.

Samah’s parenting philosophy specializes in economic literacy from an early age. “It’s not approximately making them obsessed on amassing wealth but about helping them understand that money can create possibilities and significant studies,” she said.

Eidiya as a Lesson in Mindset and Empowerment

Beyond financial literacy, Samah highlights the importance of attitude. Through her social media presence, she shares insights on how parents can flip Eidiya into a lesson, a bonding revel in, and a loved memory. She wants to shift the narrative around money, coaching youngsters that economic duty does no longer do away with from the joy of Eid but enhances it.

While some parents favor to allow their youngsters to spend Eidiya freely, Samah believes that teaching monetary literacy in the course of the festivities does not detract from the pleasure of receiving cash. “Eid is an appropriate time to empower youngsters. Teaching them the way to experience, keep, and share doesn’t put off from the amusing; it equips them with the know-how to discover pleasure in a responsible manner,” she explained.

Raising Financially Aware Future Adults

Ultimately, Samah encourages dad and mom to take a considerate method in guiding their youngsters. “You’re no longer simply raising youngsters; you’re elevating destiny adults. Equip them with the abilities they need to navigate existence with confidence and readability,” she recommended.

By fostering values of economic attention, generosity, and smart cash management at some point of Eid, parents across the UAE desire to elevate a technology that no longer simplest appreciates the joy of giving and receiving however additionally is aware the lengthy-time period impact of economic decisions. As traditions evolve, Eidiya keeps to serve as both a cultural birthday celebration and an educational tool, assisting youngsters expand critical existence talents with a view to gain them properly into adulthood.