6 Great Ideas For A Dazzling Diwali (How To Celebrate While Social Distancing)

The season of festivals is upon us. And the much-awaited Diwali or Deepavali, when people celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and of good over evil, is just around the corner. This year, too, our Diwali celebrations will be muted because of the ongoing pandemic. Families are still wary of large gatherings, and social distancing remains a top priority for health and safety reasons. Although the situation has markedly improved in recent months, we cant throw caution to the wind and celebrate the way we did in the pre-pandemic era.

So, how does one celebrate without the warm presence of extended family and friends? Thanks to technology, you can enjoy Diwali and make it special for everyone. From making your own decorations to sharing festival recipes online, well help you find ways to make this Diwali a joyous occasiondespite the social distancing.

Get set for a different but memorable Diwali!

1. Go Digital Catch Up with Family Virtually

With a cap on the number of people allowed at social gatherings, it may not be possible to have your entire family under one roof. But dont let this dampen your festive spirit, as plenty of easy-to-use video chat apps are available. With a simple tap or a click, you can bring your family closer together.

Pick a date and time that is convenient for everyone, gather the entire family and get ready for an exciting session of unlimited talk. Just relax and unwind, catch up with family, display your culinary skills, and soak in the festive atmosphere. And while youre at it, dont forget to put on your best clothes.

Best Video Apps for Cozy Get-Togethers

• Skype (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web)
• Zoom (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows)
• Google Duo or Hangouts (iOS, Android, Web)
• FB Messenger (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows)

2. Shop for Gifts Online

Whats a celebration without an exchange of gifts? Any gift, whether big or small, automatically brings a smile to the face of the receiver. Stepping outdoors to buy gifts is an absolute no-no, as the coronavirus is floating around. Solution? Shop online. A pandemic shouldnt stop you from finding that perfect gift for everyone.

Just log on to a reliable site, purchase a gift coupon, a gift or even a game. From home dcor items to toys, electronics to games, clothes to even foodyoull be amazed at the variety of gifts available for online delivery.

Worried about shipping delays? Remember to order in advance if you want the gifts to reach on time. Or try gift coupons. Simply buy a gift coupon and email it to your parents, siblings or best friend.

3. Share Festive Recipes

Diwali is also the perfect time to indulge in delectable eats. Think of creamy kheer, savory pulao, crispy pooris, juicy gulab jamuns, and spicy pickles! No celebration is complete without the delicious aroma of homecooked savories and mithai (sweets). Religiously followed diets go for a toss and time-tested treatskaju katli, Mysore pak, samosas, laddoos, murukkusare prepared and eaten with abandon.

But this year, as most of us wont be visiting our extended family and friends, we wont be able to treat our taste buds to tons of foods. Why not share your favorite recipes online with near and dear ones? After exchanging festive recipes, try out the ideas shared and eat with your family. Go ahead and share your tempting food photos with friends and win accolades!

4. Play Festival-Themed Online Games

Plan a virtual game session where you can take your pick of online games, such as a card game, a dice game, a board game, all-time favorite antakshari, karaoke, or even an online murder mystery! Just make sure you set up a virtual event reminder for your loved ones, and let the games begin.

A quiz is another great way to liven up the evening. With a time limit for answering a question and exciting prizes on offer, a quiz can be an absolute entertainer.

5. DIY Decorations

If you dont want to venture out to buy fancy decorations, let your creativity shine by trying DIY decorations. Easy to make and less heavy on the pocket than store-bought ones, colorful DIY decorations will brighten up your home and lend it that Diwali feel.

Although you can buy decorations online, having the whole family involved in decorating the home is great fun. Make use of the things available at home and look for inspiration online. Here are some dcor ideas you can try:

• Paper and stick lanterns
• Diwali torans (door hangings)
• Rangolis with flowers, lentils
• Garlands made of paper diyas or flowers

6. Share Your Dreams and Goals

Diwali is a time for fun and frolic and introspection as well. Ask each member of your family to write down their list of wishes and goals for the year ahead and share it with others. They can write about traveling to new places or starting a new hobby or learning a new language or adopting a pet. Youll discover new things about each other, and there will be plenty to talk about on Diwali evening.

All said and done, Diwali is the time to reflect on the fading year and count ones blessings. So, spread happiness, indulge in kindness, be grateful and spend time in the company of loved ones.