6 Cool Things To Do On Diwali Other Than Bursting Crackers

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Diwali is the most awaited festival in India. It brings people together and is celebrated with much fanfare and grandeur. A lot of activities and customs make this festival so special like lighting diyas, preparing traditional food, putting on new attires, playing cards, etc.
These days, however, Diwali has become synonymous with fireworks and loud sounds. The world seems to have forgotten that it is the festival of lights, not noise.

Diwali can be an amazing festivity even without firecrackers. Let’s celebrate this Diwali in an offbeat style and make it a day to remember.
Here are some ideas that will make you forget about fireworks but keep the true spirit of Diwali alive:

1. Set Off Sky Lanterns

LIGHTS…..they are the best part about Diwali. The world looks dreamy with lights and lamps flickering all around. Diyas, candles, string lights, etc illuminate every place. However, in modern times, Diwali is always being associated with fireworks. Though they are fascinating and beautiful to look at, firecrackers cause a lot of problems like pollution, accidents and health complications.
So why set ablaze such hazardous stuff when you can satisfy your desire for bright lights with sky lanterns! Wish lanterns or sky lanterns are a better alternative over fireworks since they neither produce smoke nor noise. They are both environment and pocket friendly.
It is said that sky lanterns ward off negativity and bring good luck. And in these trying times, we all could really use some good wishes. Thus, this Diwali, let’s pray for everyone’s happiness and prosperity.

2. Show Your Love With Hand Made Gifts

Meeting your loved ones and exchanging gifts with them is a cherished tradition on every Diwali. Gifts are one of the reasons, why Diwali is a favourite festival of many.
But let’s face it. Every Diwali, we think a lot about getting impressive gifts for our near & dear ones. However, in the end, it is the same old Soan Papdi Ka Dabba that gets circulated between people. How boring! So, instead of the regular Mithai, let’s make this Diwali special by gifting our loved ones something hand made.
Hand made gifts are not only thoughtful but they are also light on the pocket. A lot of items like DIY candles, diyas, cards, wall hangings, lanterns, etc are simple to make, use materials that are easily available and look beautiful too. You can also cook sweets and other edibles for your foodie folks.
Presents like these will definitely make your loved ones feel special. Afterall, they are made with lots of love and effort.
For more DIY ideas, you can check out this video too.

3. Get Together With Friends & Family

Family and friends are the most important part of our lives and nothing can be better than enjoying a celebration with them. People these days hardly find any time to be with their loved ones. But festivals are an awesome opportunity to come together and enjoy.
Diwali can be a great time to get in touch with all your relatives and friends you haven’t met in a long time. Also, you can always video call those folks and buddies who live far off.
Feasting on good food, engaging in games and reminiscing about the good old days with your loved ones will definitely make your Diwali unforgettable.

4. Make Diwali More Vibrant With Rangoli

One very popular and important tradition during Diwali is to make colourful Rangoli designs. These beautiful patterns are created at the entrance of the house to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. It also draws positive energy into your home.
Rangoli can be of many styles and shapes. It can be made out of different materials like paint, pigment colours, coloured sand, flowers, diyas, chalk, rice powder, etc. Also, there are stencils available for tracing if you feel Rangolis are a lot of hard work.
So this Diwali, get your creative juices flowing and create beautiful Rangolis to make the festival even more vibrant. You can check out this video for a little inspiration.

5. Make Good Food To Get In The Festive Mood

With Diwali comes the chance to savour on delicious traditional dishes. A lot of great foods are prepared for the celebration, but mostly they are snacks and sweets. Every time, it’s our family that prepares numerous dishes on the celebration’s eve. But this year, you can give them a surprise by helping them cook a grand meal.
Traditional delicacies that are commonly prepared on Diwali include Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun, Mathri, Samosas, Kachori, Malpua, Dahi Bhalle, Kheer, etc.
Cooking and gorging on luscious food together is always fun and the true spirit of a celebration.

6. Help Your Furry Friends

While Diwali is a happy celebration for all of us, it can be a tough time for our pets and strays. Fireworks pose a lot of problems for the animals. The noise, smoke and light from the crackers cause a lot of agitation in them.
The loud sound from fireworks can traumatise the animals and also affect their hearing. With so much happening in their surroundings, they tend to get very restless. Also, they can face breathing issues, loss of appetite, nausea, etc due to smoke emitted by the crackers.
By following some tips, you can keep your furry friends calm and safe. Make sure your pets are in a quiet room with doors and windows shut to avoid any flashes of light and if required, play some ambient music to drown the sound of crackers. Get them anti anxiety shots too from a vet. Also, urge your family and neighbours to burst firecrackers away from the strays, primarily in an open area to avoid any mishaps. You can keep food and water at various places for the stray animals to feed on.
Let’s make it a point this year to care for these voiceless beings, because like us, they are a part of this world too.

Wrapping Up

Hope you loved the aforementioned ideas and will include some of them in your celebrations this year.
Diwali is a fun and joyous occasion. So have a great time with your loved ones and enjoy the festival to the fullest. Stay safe and follow all the necessary precautions.
Wish you all a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous Diwali!