Children usually await the precious moment when an elder calls them to gather around and hands them money. They then usually plan how to spend it, whether it is a small or large amount.Although Eidyah is a fading tradition among the new generation, many feel that there is no Eid celebration without it.

“I remember the best part of Eid when I was young was when my grandfather and uncles used to call all of us children to hand out small amounts of money” said Mahmoud, adding that remembering this joy is what drives him to keep the tradition in the family.

Samir, a 40-year-old teacher, is reluctant about maintaining this tradition. His fears are linked to tying such a holy season to materialistic pleasures.

Samir also believes that with the modern way of life, children rarely maintain contact with their grandmothers and fathers. Children would therefore only end up associating their elders with receiving money during Eid in his opinion.

Other parents and grandparents try to overcome the money issue by buying gifts and toys instead. Samara, a young grandmother of an eight-year old boy, is concerned about how the money might be spent.

“Sometimes the money the children receive is more than they can handle,” said Samara, adding that some parents might not be cautious enough to monitor how the cash is spent.

“Who said that Eidyah is only for young children?” asked Aymen, a senior student at college. Aymen still receives his Eidyah from his married elder brother, his parents and some of his uncles. It is like a helping hand, Aymen said, which comes in handy in paying his expenses. Many of his friends, he claimed, are still receiving Eidyah from their families.

Lulu, a 12-year-old, said her mother advised her to save her Eidyah until she found something she really needed. “ I saved for a couple of years and this year I bought myself an iPad,” said Lulu.

Nine-year-old Salem, on the other hand, insisted on spending all of his Eidyah during the Eid season. “I like to buy computer games, and because they are relatively expensive, this the best time for me to get what I want,” said Salem, adding that before the Eid holidays he would visit the shops to keep an eye on the games he wanted and find out their prices.

Abdullah, a banker with two children aged 14 and 17, said it is important for families to keep up a nice tradition and at the same time advise their children on the best way to make use of the money they receive.

“It is a chance to teach our children how to save and maintain a budget through a tradition that is appreciated,” said Abdullah, adding that he sees no harm in children receiving money from family members, provided their spending is monitored by parents.