AS Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the festive season continues to be marked by traditions of family gatherings, visits to relatives and communal meals.
However, this year’s celebrations are taking place against a backdrop of rising living costs, prompting some individuals to approach their Hari Raya preparations with greater caution.
While the spirit of the festival remains unchanged, many are choosing to celebrate more modestly and make more mindful spending decisions.
Responses from several individuals suggest that although traditions such as returning to one’s hometown and visiting relatives remain central to the celebration, the scale of festivities is becoming more moderate.
Nuryana Amin told The Vibes that this year’s celebration will be observed modestly, focusing mainly on marking the personal achievement of completing a month of fasting during Ramadan.
She added that the way the festival is celebrated remains largely similar to previous years, although this year feels slightly different due to the absence of several family members who have passed away.
“Celebration is the same but slightly different because some of my close family members have passed on.
“As for the cost, it appears to be higher this year. We just started the new year, and the school calendar has begun, adding further financial pressure on household spending,” the 36-year-old said.
She added that the price of clothing in particular has increased significantly, with prices of RM400 and above now appearing to have become normalised in the market.
“Brands that were previously considered affordable have also experienced noticeable price increases this year, with the cost of a single outfit rising sharply compared to previous years,” she noted.
In previous years, Nuryana would purchase two sets of Hari Raya outfits for each of her children. However, due to the higher cost of clothing this year, she was only able to buy one set of clothes for each child.
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Mohd Faiz Omar shared that he will celebrate the festive occasion in his hometown together with family members, continuing the long-standing tradition of visiting relatives during the holiday.
While the overall approach to celebrating Hari Raya remains similar to previous years, Faiz, who works as an event manager, described this year’s celebration as slightly more modest.
“For me it has always been modest. My wife and kids will be celebrating with my family this year in Beranang. This year’s expenses are slightly higher than last year’s but I guess it is normal. With rising prices of goods and market uncertainty, one can only spend modestly,” he told The Vibes.
Mirroring Faiz’s sentiment is Fatin Adiba Abd Malik, who noted that her Hari Raya celebration will also be simple and moderate, consistent with how she usually observes the festival.
According to the 26-year-old, there are no significant differences in how the celebration will be carried out compared to previous years.
“The only difference is the amount of money spent. Things are getting pricier each year. Whether we like it or not, we have to spend on new clothes for Eid. But I am spending modestly,” she said.
Meanwhile, Natasya Erwanty Mohd Amin said her celebration will remain lively as she returns to her hometown to reunite with family members.
As for her spending habits, Natasya said she prefers shopping for Hari Raya items through online platforms, citing convenience and potentially lower prices.
“I mostly do online shopping. I do go to malls, but only for window shopping or small purchases. Online shopping can be cheaper, especially with so many platforms these days.
“This year I bought fewer items than in previous years due to higher costs, even though buying new clothes for Hari Raya remains a yearly tradition,” she said.
Faiz, on the other hand, said his total expenditure this year is roughly similar to last year’s, although the number of items purchased has decreased due to higher prices.
“Overall preparation costs are higher than last year, even though the quantity of goods purchased has decreased,” he said.
Although economic pressures are shaping how people prepare for the festivities, many say the essence of Hari Raya remains unchanged.
While spending habits may be more restrained this year, the true meaning of Hari Raya still lies in family, faith and togetherness rather than the scale of celebration. – March 9, 2026
