JEDDAH, 26 October 2006 — Muslim children across the globe eagerly anticipate the Eid Al-Fitr festivities with excitement. The holidays are so popular that several weeks before the first day of Eid a majority of kids have already decided what to do with their money. And it is no wonder either; in recent years the tradition of “eidia” has become a big business with some children raking in as much as SR20,000 to SR30,000 in three days.

Wedad Hani and Iman Shaheen, both aged 11 and from Jeddah, say they want their Eid money to be put away in savings for investing in capital gains. “The money will grow and then we can buy whatever we want later,” said Hani.

“I agree,” said Omar Abdul Malik, 10, from Jeddah. “Why spend all the money at one time and then be left with nothing?”

Still some want to take the opportunity to treat their parents for a change.

“I’ll buy my mother a gift with my Eid money, because all year she takes care of me and now is my chance to give her something special,” said six-year-old Manar Sabil Umdah.

Other kids are planning to use the money to expand their own worldly possessions.

Rinad Zuhair, 8, said she plans to add to the collection of Fulla doll memorabilia to decorate her room with all-things Fulla.

More academically-minded kids are thinking about their return to school and their studies after Eid. “I’m going to shop around a little after Eid and find a good deal on a laptop computer and some programs,” said 17-year-old Rawan Shaheen.

As the university system in Saudi Arabia becomes increasingly competitive and costly, some are thinking to use their Eid money to invest in their career tracks.

“I will save my money or use it toward tuition or other items that will help me complete my bachelor’s degree,” said 20-year-old Sarah Talib.

Nujood Al-Ghamdi, 19, is taking a similar path. “I was forced to attend Arab Open University despite my grade point average being in the top five percent,” she said. “I would like to contribute my ‘eidia’ to my education, to help out my parents.”

Aside from the kids that are frugal, thoughtful and responsible, some kids are thinking about children back in their homelands or in foreign countries, like war-torn Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon — kids who otherwise wouldn’t have much of an Eid this year.

“I’m going to ask my mom and dad to donate part of my Eid money to help poor children,” said Asma Johani, 12, who was visiting Jeddah from Madinah.

Mahmoud Darweesh, 12, said the turmoil this summer in Lebanon has caused him to think about family members who were there during Israel’s siege and cluster bombings.

“I have cousins who were in Lebanon during the war and who couldn’t get out,” he said. “I am going to share my Eid money with them when they come to stay with us in the coming days. That way we can all have a joyful Eid.”

On the other hand, it is certainly not a fact that these children never get financial gifts, toys, candy or paid tuition from their parents the year round. They do. But as the saying goes: “Eid is for children.”

Some kids, not so ready to grow up, would rather just enjoy the moment and spend their money on candy and hobbies.

“I love Sony Playstation and computer games,” said Abdul Rahman Sabbahi, 9. “I already have a Playstation 2 and am looking forward to ‘eidia’ so I can buy the new portable game PSP like the one my cousin has.”

After talking with these children, Arab News concluded that it just might be true that kids do and say the darnedest things, don’t they?