Diwali is such a wonderful time to host guests! From decorating your home to preparing traditional treats and planning fun activities, there are so many ways to make your guests feel welcome.

You can make celebrations memorable with following tips.

1. Decorations and ambiance

• Lighting: Set up traditional oil lamps (diyas) or LED versions along with string lights to create a warm glow. You can also hang lanterns or toran at the entrance.
• Rangoli: Create a rangoli design with colored powders, flowers, or even rangoli stickers at the entryway.
• Floral touch: Decorate with fresh flowers, like marigolds, jasmine, chrysanthemum and roses, for a festive and aromatic ambiance. Arrange floral petals around Diya’s, use them in rangoli, decorate God’s room and make floating petal arrangements

2. Food and snacks

• Traditional sweets: Have a selection of Diwali sweets like laddoos, rasagolla, barfis, and jalebi, as these are usually enjoyed by everyone. If you are particular about calorie intake, go for something that is less sweet or restrain yourself from eating too much sweets.
• Savory snacks: Offer savory treats like samosas, kachoris, and pakoras, or even a snack platter with mixed namkeen.
• Drinks: Serve festive drinks like spiced tea, rose milk, almond milk or a refreshing mango lassi to add a traditional touch. Serve hot soup or hot chocolate milk that everyone enjoy.

3. Gifts for guests

• Gift Bags: Prepare small gift bags with items like dry fruits, candles, diyas, or miniature idols.
• Personal touches: A small handwritten note with Diwali wishes or a tiny piece of jewelry can make gifts extra special. Look for DIY jewelry ideas and exhibit your hidden skills.

4. Activities and entertainment

• Games: Organize traditional games like cards, carrom, or board games for all ages.
• Fireworks (if allowed): Sparklers and small crackers can be enjoyed outdoors safely. Watch children and help them to burst crackers.
• Storytelling: Share stories about the significance of Diwali and the various customs associated with it.

5. Music and dance

• Traditional Music: Play a mix of devotional songs, traditional bhajans, or Bollywood tracks to keep the energy lively.
• Dance: If your guests enjoy dancing, a small dance floor with upbeat music is always fun!
• Karaoke: If you and your guests are interested in singing arrange karaoke and no matter how one sings, everyone can participate and sing along!

Diwali is all about togetherness, warmth, and creating happy memories. With a little planning, you can make your celebration cozy, festive, and enjoyable for everyone!

Image credit: Image by Alexander Roy from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license)