Here's a sample 24-Hour Countdown of Silver Envelope ideas just as a way to get you thinking about how you can create some magical traditions with your family.

There’s an energetic pulse coursing through Doha at this time of year. In just a few days we will be celebrating the beginning of Ramadan. It is that month of the year that fills our homes with family, love and worship. It’s a chance for us to nourish ourselves, take account of the past year and solidify our values for the coming year.

We’ve prepared a pre-Ramadan guide to help you get the most out of this Ramadan!

Nourish your Soul

This is the core focus of this month. With forgiveness and blessings pouring forth, it is the perfect time for us to realign ourselves with the Almighty.

1 – Choose a section of the Qur’an for intensive study and explore it thoroughly.

2 –The first revealed verse of the Qur’an was an injunction to read. So read, read and read some more!

3 – If you plan to memorize any verses or sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) – make a note of which ones and keep them easily accessible.

4 – Make a prayer list, just reminders of what you want to pray for and who you want to keep in your prayers during the month.

5 – Keep a monthly wall planner visible to keep track of the days. And for the kids, a Countdown to Eid Puzzle offering a good deed per day with our "30 Days of Giving" free printable.

Nourish your Body

1 – Keep your body hydrated with tons of water.

2 – Pre-make any time consuming savories and eats that can be stored in the freezer.

3 – A menu plan is a great time saver – it keeps things moving swiftly in the kitchen and saves time!

4 – Do a bulk-shopping trip for the month – get all that vimto and crème caramel in the cart to satisfy the sweet tooth.

5 – Dates are very satisfying and invigorating after a day of fasting – always keep extra on hand.

Nourish your Community

1 – Host a moon sighting party for the families around you – remember to keep some moon cookies on hand! As an activity, the kids can make their very own fawanees to take home!

2 – Plan the dates in the month to host any iftar dinners (at home or in a restaurant) and send out invitations in advance.

3 – Apportion a certain percentage of your monthly food allowance and donate this to a charity feeding those in need.

4 –Arrange an iftar meal for the workers, home-helpers and nannies in your community.

Nourish your Home

1 – Carve out a special niche for dhikr (remembering the Divine) and reflection. It could be something as simple as a prayer mat with a Qur’an stand next to it. Keep it as digitally-free as possible.

2 – Unplug. Put away your devices and laptops and hide the remotes. Talk to your kids and spend time with one another. This is a great time to re-connect with those around you.

3 – Lights, streamers, and bunting flags fill the home with a festive vibrancy! Try these bunting flags to add a touch of Ramadan spirit to your home.

From all of us at Silver Envelope, we wish you a nourishing month of Ramadan ahead!

In Qatar, you can find SilverEnvelope.com products in WH Smith Stores in Ezdan Mall, Hyatt Plaza, and Nuaija Mall, and at Katara Art Center in Katara.

Raana Smith is the Creative Director and Founder of SilverEnvelope.com, a company that seeks to bridge old and new Islamic traditions and bring practical party solutions for modern Muslim families. In her free time, Raana enjoys space missions with her astronaut-loving 4-year-old and is known to throw a fantastic party. She lives in Doha, Qatar.

Farzana Gardee is a free spirit who breathes words in the quiet of her being - wherever in the world she finds herself.

This article was first published in Abode Qatar magazine, June 2014

As we move in to the last 10 days leading up to Eid al-Adha, we notice a flurry of things going on, as is typical this time of year:

One common theme to the emails hitting our inbox: that ‘please forgive me’ letter from people trying to clear their slates before heading off to Hajj (not that there’s anything wrong with it, I wrote one myself a few years back).

Families are getting their numbers together for the udhiyya (sacrifical animal), or how many sheep they need to slaughter for this year’s sacrifice.

Whatsapp messages are hitting people’s phone with the exact start date of Dhul Hijja (the Islamic month in which the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca occurs).

We turn down invitations for lunch because we’re fasting.

Here in Qatar, ‘labbayk Allahumma labbayk’ plays on the radio.

Things are buzzing. That spiritually charged time of year is upon us.

People are starting on a journey that most only make once in a lifetime.

It’s officially Hajj season.

(Click the photo to read the entire article over at the fabulous My Halal Kitchen)

To all my friends, family and supporters over the years, and to those I am just meeting for the first time:

I can't wait for Ramadan this year! 2013 has been a year of transitions and amazing blessings for us, al hamdu lillah. In the weeks ahead we will experience the quiet days and the brilliant nights, the silent reminders of our deen. And ensha'allah, we will slow down and reclaim the iman that Ramadan can instill in us. As we enter this blessed month and what I hope is many blessings on all of you, I wanted to share with you the latest in Silver Envelope's journey and mine. 

We all share a common bond, a common love for our deen, yet despite this the many flavors of Ramadan and local traditions differ around the world. Whether it's Muslims in America finding fun and creative ways to bring their Ramadan spirit into a non-Muslim world or Muslims in Saudi Arabia who are surrounded by the traditions, smells and sounds that define Ramadan. 

Our world has become increasingly fast-paced as technological advancements thrust us into a digital future.

Moms the world over deserve special recognition for raising people, each and every day. With continued acts of selflessness, mothers give of themselves and often forget to focus on self-care. 

I'm up for challenges anytime! Last month, I challenged myself to come up with a craft that is suitable for my niece (age 5.5, "Za") and nephew (age 2.5, "Zo").

Take the time out to make every day dedicated to polishing the Earth.

Muslim festivals have always been sustainable events. Halal food, budget gifts, Eid prayer in the park and transforming 2-seaters into a 14-person carriers, Muslims do it best. We are natural eco-warriors.