Writing a list helps me … that’s what I did yesterday.

Everyone has a different priority for the celebration but I’ll share a few bases I like to cover …

1. Dressing Up / Clothes – might be late for ordering custom made items so maybe hit the shops or repurpose and invent something Funky with what you have

2. What Mitai are you making- which recipes- formulate your ingredient list / prayer list / prasad

3. Between your friend / family circle decide who’s hosting? We take turns between Diwali/ New Year and every other year we go to Durban. This can get tricky in an extended family between siblings and in-laws – so taking turns seem fair .

4. Decide on your Menus – if it’s a group gathering- conquer and divide

5. Take out your old decorations – wash your lamps – See more detail below

6. Think of a color/ theme … open your sari /scarves and use for pops of color and draping for a ‘ festival table ‘

7. Make a list of who you gifting – ideas ? See more detail below.

8. Get flowers a few days before and arrange around the house

I think you ready to hit the shops this weekend… and then plan things like soaking your nuts / chopping/ crushing elachi accordingly so the night you making your Mitai it’s a matter of putting things together.

I’ve learned the hard way … midnight Mitai making Pro ! Or trips to PnP a minute before the store closes … living on your own and juggling life !! But we live and learn to simplify and organize.

Some of you asked to touch on Gifting…

It’s something we do right… it can take form in anyway your heart desires- time , budget and availability pending.

Who do you gift to ?

For my non-Indian friends – I like to do a tasting basket of savory/ sweet . Mitai is not everyone’s thing – so over the years you know your crowd . A few of our teachers wait eagerly for Burfi so plan around it.

There are so many home industries and ‘Aunties’ making Mitai and delicious savories this is the best time to lean on these resources and support small businesses. This relieves a lot of time and pressure.

For my family and friends :

It’s generally something small accompanied by handmade cards by the kids and lots of love 💕 for me its a little gesture .Keep it Simple and Joyful!

Diwali Decorating…

For me you don’t need much more than your Diyas … they are the Focal point.

Flowers add color and life … I’m no floral expert but I love flowers – my easy way out is glass bottles and vases … all shapes and sizes to create height and interest. Work with what you have … Passata bottles , honey and jam jars – they work marvelously.

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1. Clay lamps – You can get new lamps for prayers from most Indian grocers – tea lights in them are easy and fuss free for around the house .

2. Ghee filled lamps for prayer ones

3. Brown paper bags – filled halfway with sand – and a candle 🕯 ( half a tall candle) make for beautiful long lasting light for decorating outdoors. The sand is to create a firm base , the candle lasts long without the need of refilling oil and the packet assist in protecting the flame and creates a beautiful warm light effect.

4. The clear cups give a different brighter glow – my sister cleverly devised this change/addition from the brown paper bags , we use them around the pool and patio. You need fill the cup with sand just over halfway and stick a candle 🕯 in ( half a tall candle)

I use sand from the garden, but when we were in a smaller place I used to use sea sand from the kids sandpit – which can be bought in a 5kg sack 🙂

If you using tall candles :

For your prayer lamps , I saw a cool freezer hack by Nisha from @lovelaughmirch that you can do in advance- will share on my stories/highlight tab on Instagram

I remember as a kid my Nani only used ghee/oil lamps to decorate the entire house …we used to help after a big lunch making the wicks.

The Rangoli puzzles are a great investment for mess free decorations especially if you not creative or don’t have the time. Stencils and powders are available too to make life easy.

Over the years I bought a few different glass candle holders from Mr Price – these are also great for dinner parties and can form part of your Diwali kit for reusing over the years.

I’ve bombarded you with loads of information…but if you take away anything – Embrace our beautiful culture and Celebrate it in anyway that Sparks Joy!

If you want to learn more for next year and plan accordingly get yourself a copy of The Modern HinduLifstyle , where Aradhana Durjan explains and breaks down the planning process for the entire Hindu calendar. https://themodernhindulifestyle.co.za/