Diwali is about lights, sweets, fireworks – and most importantly, about coming together, sharing joy and gratitude with the people who matter the most. Family is usually the choice for most people, and rightly so, but when Diwali touches your heart, your friends are just as worthy of celebration!
- How can you celebrate Diwali with friends?
- Will it compare to spending time with your family?
- Can you even come up with any ideas?
- Can celebrating Diwali with friends be just as fulfilling as celebrating it with family?
Let’s see these 8 thoughtful ways to celebrate Diwali with friends.
Before we talk about celebrating Diwali with friends, let’s be clear regarding something. Diwali is supposed to be the festival of lights, of sweets, of fireworks – and the most important thing about it is the people with whom you share all that rejuvenation.
1. Host a Diwali-Themed Potluck
Food is the core of celebration, both generally and specifically in Diwali, but instead of cooking all the dishes yourself, consider hosting a Diwali-themed potluck. Invite your friends to bring their favorite dish – traditional or modernized – and enjoy a feast of flavors that reflect the diverse palette of your friendships.
- How it works: Potlucks compel all to pitch in, making the festivity all the more personal and communal.
- Pro tip: Consider asking your guests to bring a dish with a ‘Diwali twist’ – perhaps a dessert with a fusion trend – or a savory snack with Diwali spices.
In this way, everyone not only shares food but also a piece of culture or creativity.
2. Organize a Gift Exchange
Giving gifts is a part of Diwali celebrations as much as it’s a part of any other festival. You don’t need to spend big bucks on presents – a thoughtful exchange with your friends can make it a very special day.
- How about the gift of something small but thoughtful: A few candles, homemade sweets or even a note, hand-written, to let the friend know what their friendship means to you?
- How to do it: Set a budget, draw names in advance, and make it part of your Diwali gathering, or, if you prefer, go ‘Secret Santa’ style and leave the giver anonymous.
It’s a funny, sweet way of reminding your friends that you love them.
3. Create DIY Rangolis Together
Rangoli is an important part of decorating the home for the festival of Diwali, but it’s also a joyful experience of creativity and sharing. You can gather a group of friends, get your hands on some coloured powders or flower petals, and make patterns together.
- Why it’s fun: I can’t draw, either; the game isn’t about who can draw the best, it’s about creating something together that’s even better than what you could do on your own, and laughing at the might-have-beens while doing it.
- Materials: Traditional coloured powder. Though you could always get creative with flowers, rice or even lentils to create unique designs.
And of course, don’t forget to take photos of your masterpiece at the end!
4. Watch a Diwali-Themed Movie Marathon
If your friends are keen for something a little more low-key, why not organize a Diwali-themed film marathon? Lots of Bollywood films reflect the themes of family, friendship and celebration.
- Movies: Some old-fashioned favorites that would be apt: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Something more lighthearted would be comedies like Hera Pheri or 3 Idiots.
- Ambience: switch off the lights, string up some fairy lights, throw in a heap of cushions and a pile of blankets. Stock up on popcorn, samosas and mithai.
It’s a good opportunity to relax, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company without having to go to the hassle of organizing something fancy.
5. Plan a Diwali Charity Drive Together
Diwali means the celebration of light, when good triumphs over evil and light over darkness. What better way of celebrating it than giving back to our community? A great way to celebrate Diwali with friends is by volunteering or organizing a charity drive.
- Ideas: a fundraiser for your local homeless shelter; volunteering at a food bank; clothing drive for the less fortunate.
- Why it matters: During Diwali, it is important to look back and express gratitude. Charitable giving as a group enables you to share your sense of purpose with your friends.
Not only will this deepen your relationship, it will also make your Diwali all the more meaningful.
6. Light Diyas and Share Stories
In the case of Diwali, though lighting diyas (traditional oil lamps) might be the most recognisable part of the festival, don’t just light them and saunter off. Sit and talk with your friends.
- What to say: You could reminisce about an amazing Diwali you experienced a couple of years ago; how much you enjoyed dressing up one year when you were a kid, or how one year you had the unfortunate experience of breaking a vase and being grounded.
- What makes it special: In the midst of Christmas shopping and other holiday activities, we get so busy we forget to take a moment to appreciate our friends. The lighting of diyas together and the stories shared with friends is a rare, intimate, reflective space in the midst of the festivities.
7. Play Traditional Diwali Games
Games are a great way of bringing people together and, like other celebrations, Diwali also has a few traditional games you can play with friends.
- Card games: Family favorites like Teen Patti (or 3 Patti) and Rummy are de rigueur at Diwali. Even better, play with tokens or small stakes.
- Board games: Not a big fan of cards? Play a board game such as the popular Ludo or Snakes & Ladders, which are also part and parcel of Diwali celebrations.
These games encourage a playful and competitive attitude, engaging fellowship in a light and frivolous spirit.
8. Capture the Moments with a Diwali Photoshoot
The rituals of Diwali are the perfect opportunity to get those memories into digital form, so why not set up a photoshoot with your friends?
- Dress code: Ask everyone to come in traditional outfit. Get some fairy lights, diyas, flowers to create a simple backdrop for the photos.
- Why it’s fun: In addition to forever memorializing the trip, the photoshoot itself can be a fun activity: hit the streets or beaches for candid shots, or take group pictures back at the hotel. Lots of laughing, goofing around and fun.
And of course, you’ll have plenty of Instagram-worthy pictures to remember the day by!
Conclusion
Spending Diwali with acquaintances or friends offers the same opportunity to strengthen ties, build memories and share celebrations. All the activities that one can think of for Diwali – cooking, playing games, lending a helping hand – augments the value of time spent with people who are most precious to you. So this Diwali, remember your friends – you will appreciate Diwali not only as a season of lights and sweets, but more importantly because it is a time of friends.
May your celebrations be full of love, laughter, and light.
