Parenting Perspective 

Eid should be a time of joy, gratitude, and family togetherness. However, when children begin to compare their gifts with those of their cousins or friends, the focus can quickly shift from celebration to competition. A child who receives fewer or simpler gifts might feel that their own happiness is somehow less valid, leading to feelings of disappointment instead of appreciation. 

The Emotional Pressure from Comparisons 

The act of comparing gifts can turn a happy occasion into a source of stress. Instead of enjoying the moment, a child’s mind can become preoccupied with who received what, creating an atmosphere of rivalry. 

The Impact on a Child’s Self-Worth 

Children may start to measure their worth, or their parents’ love, by the size and value of the gifts they receive. If their presents seem ‘less’ than what others have, feelings of inferiority or resentment can arise. This damages contentment and fosters the harmful belief that love is proven through material things. 

The Strain on Family Relationships 

These comparisons can also create tension within the family. Children might express disappointment or even blame their parents for not providing ‘enough’, while parents may feel pressured to overspend. Instead of strengthening family bonds, this dynamic can create frustration and stress. 

The Long-Term Habits Formed 

When gift comparison becomes a normal part of celebrations, children are at risk of carrying these habits into adulthood. They may develop a tendency to constantly compare themselves with others in all aspects of life, never feeling truly satisfied. This undermines their ability to cultivate gratitude and inner peace. 

Guiding Children Toward Gratitude 

Parents can protect the true spirit of Eid with gentle and consistent guidance. 

• Explain that the value of Eid lies in prayer, family connection, and the remembrance of Allah. 

• Encourage your child to share their joy with others, even through simple, non-material gestures. 

• Create family traditions that celebrate experiences, such as cooking together or giving charity, so that children learn to value meaning over materialism. 

• Model gratitude by showing happiness and appreciation regardless of the size or type of gifts exchanged. 

This approach helps children to grow with a healthy perspective on blessings and a heart full of contentment. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that the true spirit of Eid is found in gratitude and remembrance of Allah, not in material competition. When the focus shifts to the size or cost of gifts, it undermines the very purpose of the celebration, which is to thank Allah for His blessings. 

A Quranic Reminder on Gratitude 

The Quran teaches that gratitude is the key to increasing blessings, while dissatisfaction and ingratitude are spiritually harmful. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Ibraheem (14), Verse 7: 

‘And (remember) when your Sustainer made this declaration; (saying that): “If you show gratitude, I (Allah Almighty) will indeed, amplify them for you (provisions and sustenance); however, if you become ungrateful, then indeed, My punishment is Meticulous (in execution)”.‘ 

This verse reminds us that contentment and gratitude invite more blessings from Allah. 

The Prophetic Teaching on Simple Living 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that true happiness comes from a state of inner contentment, not from the constant pursuit of more possessions. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 2373, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is being content with oneself.’ 

This hadith shows that true happiness comes from the richness of the soul, not from material comparisons. 

Parents can remind their children that Eid is about sharing blessings, strengthening family ties, and remembering Allah. By grounding them in these values, children learn that the joy of Eid does not depend on the number or cost of their gifts, but on the gratitude and love that come from a heart connected to its faith.