10-Day Countdown To Diwali Celebrations - What To Do Each Day During This Period

It's the time of the year again when we will see the night sky light up with fireworks of various colours; when we will fill up on sweets; when we will go crazy shopping for ourselves and our family; when we will clean our home to welcome Goddess Lakshmi - it's time for Diwali!

But, before Diwali finally arrives, there are a lot of preparations to be done to celebrate it in style. And, it's always a good idea to make a plan and work according to it to ensure that you don't miss out on anything.

So, here is a ten-day countdown that you can follow to ensure that you are well-prepared for a grand Diwali celebration.

Day 1 - Shop for clothes: Well, this is definitely one of those things that cannot be reserved for the last, as shopping for the best thing to wear for every family member requires a lot of planning and time. Also, buying dresses at least ten days ahead would leave you with enough time to visit your tailor for minor adjustments to be made, if need be. Another advantage of shopping early for clothes is that you can avoid large crowds, which throng the streets for last-minute shopping.

Day 2 - Make a guest list: This is yet another harrowing task and an important one at that. Sometimes, when you do it at the last minute, you miss out on a lot of names. Such slip-ups not only upset you but also disappoint those who were expecting your invite but got left out. Planning invites a few days ahead gives you the time to call your guests in advance. And, if you inadvertently miss out on calling anyone, you would still have time to make amends and send out the invite. Sending invites a few days in advance also gives the guests time to plan accordingly and make necessary arrangements to be present on the occasion.

Day 3 - Shop for gifts and write out gift cards: Diwali is the time of the year when we splurge on gifts, not just for us, but for our near and dear ones too. Remember, a well-thought-out gift is appreciated and remembered for a long time by the receiver. So, first off, prepare a list of gifts you plan to buy. And, while you do that, keep in mind the age of the individuals for whom you would be buying gifts. Once your list of gifts is ready, you can plan on where to go shopping for them and the personal and heart-warming messages to write on the gift cards.

Day 4 - Plan for home decoration themes and what you need to buy: Well, nowadays, even the smallest of events have a theme. Having a theme for the festival makes it even more fun and enjoyable. And, when the entire family gets together and participates in their own little way, it makes it even more worthwhile. You could either keep it simple with diyas all around the house or mix it up with some modern glass-bottle lights too. Finish this task in advance or else you would end up with just the theme but not enough time to shop for decorative items or the shops might run out of what you are looking for.

Day 5 - Revamp your home: It's time for some family bonding! What better way to bond than to give your house a makeover and unleash your creativity! While you are wondering how to go about it, here are some tips:

• Diyas are a must, but give them a twist. They need not be simple diyas; you could place the diyas in trendy mason jars or glass jars. Tradition, but with a twist of modernity! You could also use candles instead of the diyas. You can colour the white candles with bright and vibrant colours and, maybe, sprinkle some glitter too. You can also get some pressed-flower candles. There is so much to choose from.
• As far as torans (door hangings) go, you can be a little eco-friendly. You could make it yourself with some bright colour paper or old greeting cards, in whatever design you prefer. Or, you could also look for them online. We are sure you will find something funky to add colour to your house!
• Go for some offbeat designs for the upholstery. Warli art is in fashion, so you could possibly go all artsy with that or Rajasthani designs with bright hues.
• If you are feeling particularly enthusiastic, call up all the family members to paint the corners of the walls of all the rooms with some amazing designs; it might not be perfect, but it will represent what your family is all about!

Day 6 - Plan the Diwali menu and sweets and what you need to buy: One thing that every guest would remember about you would be the food you serve them. Sit together as a family and decide on the menu. It might be according to age-groups or you could choose a theme where you could go all traditional or modern. It would be a good idea to plan an age-wise menu and have a mix of various cuisines. Try to come up with a menu that is healthy but at the same time yummy.

Day 7 - Plan the puja needs: Every family has its own way of performing the Diwali puja. Some have the tradition of calling a priest over to perform the puja. Not ensuring that you have everything on hand for performing the puja would not only throw the ceremony off track but also upset everyone, including the priest. So, make a list of puja items and buy them in advance, except for flowers, which need to be fresh and can be bought a day before the puja or on the same day.

Day 8 - Buy home appliances or gold: It's Dhanteras and it is time to go buy some gold, car, utensils or anything you consider precious and is made of metal. It is said that buying something made of metal on Dhanteras is considered to bring good luck and supposed to keep negative energy at bay. So, keep aside this day to make some purchases to ensure that good luck follows you throughout the following year.

Day 9 - Buy firecrackers: This is the day that the children of the house are waiting for. They are excited about checking out and buying the new types of crackers that have hit the shelves. Make purchasing crackers a family event to encourage bonding. Not only will it be fun for the children but also take adults down memory lane by making them reminisce their childhood. What can be a better way to start the festival than some family bonding!

Day 10 - D-Day: Now, that everything is planned and ready, and the D-Day has arrived, it is time to celebrate! Wake up and have a nice oil bath and get dressed. Guests will be streaming into your home; so, make sure you have prepared enough food for everyone, while they are left in awe of your decorations and carefully chosen gifts. And, as the sun sets, and the auspicious time comes, offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings before moving on to the most exciting part with your children - bursting crackers.

With this planning, you will definitely have a relaxed and prosperous Diwali. So, light up your homes and have a bright and colorful Diwali!