Every year as Ramadan rounds the corner, we get a feeling of joy and anticipation. We might start to get out our decorations or look for new ones to change up the theme. Many of us, (those procrastinators out there, you know who you are) will be rushing to make up fasting days from last year. We might be attending pre-Ramadan bazaars in search of that new dress or outfit for that special iftar or Eid. And yes, we might begin to prep for iftars by making things ahead and freezing them. All of this is great, but it has been done before, year after year. How can we make this the Ramadan extra special for our families?

In fact, start right now, after you finish reading this post! Shop the web or shop your home and start to plan out how you want your Ramadan home to look and feel. It's not about going overboard, rather it's about setting a certain ambiance in our homes that indicates the holy month of Ramadan is upon us. It really warms the heart to have an environment that exudes Ramadan, especially when the outside of our homes doesn’t have that festive feel (unless you live in a Muslim country!). If you enjoy DIY projects, there are plenty on the web on Pinterest and Instagram to choose from. However, if you are not that crafty, there are also plenty of retailers from whom to buy beautiful, contemporary décor and art to make your home sparkle.

Photo Credit: Nutrizonia

Sure, we all look forward to the amazing cultural cuisine, but when is the last time you tried something new? Now is time to try out some new and exciting recipes. Especially since everyone is hungry – really hungry. It will be something to look forward to with your family. There are so many amazing Ramadan recipes from around the world if you are willing to step outside your comfort zone. Try a recipe from Somalia, Iran, Turkey, Indonesia, or anywhere that your family isn’t from, and make it a learning experience as well. Incorporating new traditions from other cultures will be so fun for kids too, as it opens them up to a whole new world.

For many converts, Ramadan, in particular, can be difficult as many end up eating iftar alone. If your masjid has a new converts group, get to know some of them and invite them to your next iftar or go out to a halal restaurant together. Not having anyone to share the month and its blessings with can be very very lonely. Encourage them to attend tarawih and any other gatherings you know about in your community. You will have made their day and gained blessings for feeding a fasting person in Ramadan. A win-win!

I know many of you are very strongly connected to your local masjid and wouldn’t dream of going elsewhere. However, Ramadan is the perfect time to visit somewhere new. Each Masjid has its own special flavor. You can benefit from listening to a different Qari', meet new people, join in their potluck iftar, and donate to another Muslim institution. You might just make new friends and decide to get involved there as well. Plan ahead to know about timings for events and parking rules.

Don’t let this Ramadan become an introverted month. Yes, spiritual reflection is essential during this time, as are reading Quran and praying tarawih. Helping others, however, is a huge part of the Ramadan season, and can be extra sweet if you do it as a family. There are so many ways to get involved, from helping masjids with fundraisers to setting up for iftars. Venture outside of your communities too, and consider volunteering at a soup kitchen or helping collect items for a women's or homeless shelter. If you have a talent for storytelling or crafts, contact your local library and offer to do a read-aloud. Your presence will let others see Muslims in a positive light and continue the work being done to educate the world about Muslims and Islam.

Samantha Sanchez is a writer, educator, poet, home cook and self-proclaimed foodie. She loves exploring culture through food and this inspires her home cooking. She is the author of Ramadan Recipes: From Our Holiday Table to Yours, a unique cookbook published in April 2018 that spans the globe. Samantha is the CEO of One Ummah Publishing and blogs at havespiceswilltravel.wordpress.com. She lives with her family in New Jersey. You can follow Samantha on Instagram on: @oneummahbooks or @spicestravel.