Behind the Screen: Holidays and Snuggies
December 22nd, 2009
My grandmother told me that this year we’d probably stop the Christmas gift exchange.
“It’s not really your holiday, and with the way the economy is, it’s probably best to just let it go.”
I told her I was cool with whatever she felt was best, but that it was her holiday and we should still do it.
Then the other day to my surprise she sent my husband and I package.
We opened the box and I thought, “Oh are these little fleece blankets?”.
But it was better than that.
We each received a SNUGGIE! Those things are hecka warm I tell ya! And so cozy.
Hijabi modeling a snuggie with the free reading light 
And yes that's Eclipse in my hands.
My husband and I joked that we’re going to take a picture and act like the people in the TV commercial and send it to my grandma. He’s got such a great sense of humor.
Put your hands in the air! If you haven't seen the commercials then you probably think I'm nuts
In case this whole Christmas thing might have you confused. Well, My mother’s family is not Muslim and this is their big holiday of the year.
As a child I remember going to my grandparents and seeing the big Christmas tree full of decorations, laden with wrapped presents underneath.
People told my parents that it wasn’t allowed to participate in non-Muslim holidays and slowly but surely we managed to be somewhere else during Christmas time and eventually we moved to another state and then another country so it wasn’t a big deal to try and “avoid” the holiday.
My grandparents always sent us gifts, because like I mentioned before this is their big holiday.
My grandmother also told me how she used to send all the gifts around my oldest brothers birthday because his birthday is a few days before Christmas. She said that way she could still get us gifts without my parents getting upset about it. I felt so heart broken.
Now that my parents are older and have become grandparents I’ve seen them soften up. They’re more open about holidays and birthdays.
These are times when families should come together.
If you have non-Muslim family you’ll know that these events are extremely important because it’s basically one of the few times everyone can be in one place at one time.
Yes this isn’t my holiday and yes I don’t necessarily celebrate it.
However, I feel it’s quite appropriate to respect it and accept a person’s gifts and send them something in return.
This year I’m a little late as the holidays are a few days away, I’ve still got to get something for my grandparents but I’m not sure what it’s going to be.
And next year I plan to surprise them with some Eid gifts so they can experience my holiday too.
What your thoughts? Do you have family that celebrate holidays other than Eid?
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I totally agree, Mariam. Thanks for bringing up these points. Remaining close to our non-Muslim families through these and other holidays is important.
This is really funny
My whole family is non-Muslim and even though I don’t celebrate the religious aspect of Xmas, I feel even when I have a family of my own I wouldn’t mind getting a tree and having a small gift exchange with loved ones. I love the spirit of Christmas and at the end of the day I don’t feel my intentions are bad so why not. Allahu alaam.
My family also is non muslim and I tend to only see them around these times other than my father who I see more. I gave each of them a gift this year and they gave my husband and I one. I have been muslim for 2 years so I am still trying to change certain parts of my life. I don’t go as fair as buying a tree but I love to give gifts. I don’t want to give my children the wrong idea but its hard to take Christmas away totally. I try to make more of a big deal with Eid and Ramadan so they understand that these are our holidays.
I’ve started the Eid gift tradition with my daughter, Zara. I want her be able to celebrate and enjoy our Muslim holidays as much as Christians do with Christmas. Muslims can have fun too!
We celebrate Christmas with my in-laws, who are Catholic, and Zara has such a fun time with it. It would be nice for my in-laws to celebrate Eid with us, but there are so few activities (aside from the Eid prayer service, which they obviously wouldn’t be interested in participating in) for them to take part in that I haven’t ever invited them to join us. I’m slowing trying to cultivate some kid-friendly activities that we can have them partake in, such as making star and crescent cookies and exchanging gifts. It’s a start!
I recently got a Snuggie and I LOVE IT. I wish I could wear it all the time.
yes i think you’re nuts. i love the pictures and the pink with white hijab look I’m defn gonna try to copy that look
I believe there is no wrong answer out there. It’s whatever anyone feels comfortable with.
Seleena.. I will be posting something very soon about that hijab style hehe. it’s a lot of fun.
Mariam, I loveee this article! I think it is very important to share culture and holidays with the people you love, plus I love this snuggie idea and your pics! you totally capture the snuggie as seen on tv feel ;P
My fam and this country whre im presently working is a Muslim country…. but my co-workers are non-muslim… tonight is their big day and we have our duty at this time… she is so pityful clebrating holidays with me… just wanna make her happy and i made a fudgie brownies for
her….i hope she’ll gonna like it… its a surprise … May Allah forgive me..
I lived in Malaysia where it is Muslim country but there are Christians there too and everyone celebrates everything– they do a gift exchange at the office, I’ve no qualms eventhough I don’t have this culture at home anyway; it’s all fun.
Now I live in Belgium, my daughter enjoys the Pere Noel and what not, doesn’t really change much but we don’t celebrate at home anyway.
My mother-in-law must have gone shopping with your grandmother. I got the exact same thing! I love the booklight, and it’s really comfortable. My husband’s family is non-Muslim and since they don’t live near us, Christmas is one of the few times we get to see them. They’re not very religious, so for us, Christmas is sort of a cultural (rather than a religious) celebration.
This is a wonderful website, Mariam. I’ve recently decided to transition to wearing a hijab, and this website has been very informative. I’ve always been the only non-Christian in my school, work, and peer group. This website helps normalize the modern hijabi for me. Thanks a bunch!
Celebrations are wonderful and they are truly all about the heart. This brings people together to work toward a greater good which is for all man-kind I feel. I really enjoyed this post and I love your Snuggie Mariam! I gotta get me one soon!
Nada, Ma’ruf, Dian, Sabah and Jodi … sorry so late at responding. I don’t always get a chance to go over comments, but I wanted to thank you for your input. I love holidays and wish we could have more of them lol. I think I just like to get together with friends and family and eat good food. Yeah I love food haha.. Anyhow the snuggie is reallly comfy and it’s really cheap so you should definitely go get one Jodi!!
Wow, really, Muslims avoid Christmas? I mean, I can see avoiding going to church or something, but why skip a holiday that is so secular for so many people? If I lived in Pakistan and wasn’t Muslim, I wouldn’t leave the country to avoid Eid.