It’s amazing being part of the group as it feels like I am involved in something useful.

Eid Mubarak to everyone who are celebrating 🥳

Ramadan April 2023, this year Ramadan has been a time to reflect on a number of things. Fasting from sunrise to sunset each day for 30 days brings in discipline, thinking of others who have very little or no food, usually countries facing famines, disasters & war.

This time I thought more about people around me here in the UK. Living on a low income has changed how I cook meals in Ramadan. The whole concept of fasting has affected us much more than ever. With less money to spend on food, fasting for long hours, cooking only 1 main meal in the evening and a very light meal at sunrise.

I will be very stressed this holiday. Usually, during this end of the year season with the children, I organise lots of parties at home and visiting friends and families. But this year will have to cancel all of these parties and will try to cope with the small budget & basic food instead. Will cut down on our heating as well. May the almighty help us to pass this critical time together.

Hi, In a way I am lucky as my daughter is 16, so can keep herself occupied during the holidays, catching up with her coursework and catching up with friends etc. However for me I find that I am even more stressed than usual with all the extra costs involved in trying to feed us and keep our home safe and warm. I have always put my daughter's needs before my own, so this is particularly difficult at this time of year as I am unable to let her do some of the things her friends are able to do, meaning she often feels left out and different in so many ways. With no other family or friends of my own to ask for help and support this is tough. My daughter attends the local church on a regular basis and goes to the Christmas service so I will join her there in order to feel warm for a while and spend some time doing something together to help pass the morning and then watch a movie on tv in the afternoon. Apart from that it will be very quiet for a few days before things start to get back to normal which will still be very quiet, but at least have a bit of routine which is more easy for me to cope with.

What do the Christmas holidays mean for me?

Not a lot. I am glad I don't celebrate Christmas as so many people (mostly Mums) seem to be stressed and overwhelmed for weeks by the expectations placed on them to provide more than they can afford, spend time with people they usually choose to avoid, consume excessively and produce massive amounts of rubbish as a result, to then be in debt in the New Year.

Solstice celebration is very low key and comfortable by comparison. We meet with our chosen loved ones, invite anyone who may be lonely or struggling to share the food and drink we have made. The kids were happy to receive chocolate and books as their present. Around a fire (wrapped in blankets) we contemplate what we are grateful for, what we invite in, what to let go and where we send our blessings. These are written down and burned with dried herbs. We talk, laugh, dance and sing until the fire burns down. Winter holiday done. X

I am Christian, so the Christmas holidays are about worship and rejoicing. I am blessed to have family near, so spending time together with the chaos of loads of kids running about and loud family members are a must! It's a time to appreciate our blessings. I may not have money, but blessed with love. Happy Christmas everyone xx