The festival of joy, peace, harmony and goodwill with a happy, festive aura is in the air, perfectly wrapped up in the autumn breeze. This year has taught us the importance of all things little. That intimate family gathering, prepping favourite dishes, surrounding the dinner table, the endless chit-chats and how to reconnect with nature. Dressing up for a festive occasion and meeting people seem like a distant dream. Nonetheless, there’s always light, because Diwali season is here! Are we Diwali ready?
Time to take out that notepad and start curating that shopping list. Personally, I have always loved the Diwali season. The lights, the decor, the beautiful feeling of decking up your home, dressing up your home corners and furnitures — it’s the time to bring your creative side out. And here are some trendy yet classy ways you can add that personalised touch of decor to your Diwali preparations.
Make space
One after-effect of this lockdown would be that we’ve become too laid back. So let’s start with ‘the clean your house movement’ initiated by our elders. There is definitely a science behind this as it does alter the energy flow of your home once the clearance is done. Take time to make space, shift all the unnecessary furniture, table and revamp your home with a minimalist yet new festive vibe. Clean every corner, pull out the rugs, covers and other hidden stuff and decorate your homes to welcome Lord Ganesh and Laxmi and seek their blessings. Put those old bowls and jewellery boxes to use. A key aspect to remember while you’re cleaning is to do it with the mindset of how we can creatively reuse some of those items. Analyse from among those ‘say bye-bye items’ list, and let’s find ways to creatively add a floral festive touch.
Beautify with Barnis
Get locally sourced marigold garlands, a few long thin sticks and stick single marigolds in each of those sticks. Stick upto seven-eight marigolds in each. Make similar five-six tall arrangements and carefully place them in your barnis and your corner floral decor is ready.
Bring out the creative side in you, play with all extras you have around. Assemble two or three ceramic bowls together, run to your balcony or garden, pick your favourite flowers and pluck them. Select one small plant — can be a money plant as well. Bring all of them inside, mix and match, place them beautifully at that corner table with a small diya, or many I’d suggest. Voila, your creative corner is now ready!
Make a great first impression
As the famous saying goes, first impression is always the last impression. What better way to play it right at the foyer table, or in some cases, a custom shoe rack placed right at the entrance of your home?! Head to your local flower vendor and pick out some long-stemmed flowers, like tuberose, lilies and all your favourite ones. Curate a segment with tall vases, carefully place each of those floral sticks, and you can also add Bonsai, as that adds just the right touch of green homely vibe. Add small diyas, candles and there you go.
The table setup: What’s a celebration without a dining table filled with laughter, jokes, conversations and your loved ones. A set-up that not only defines your persona, your personality but identifies that corner as the best. It’s best to start off with a theme to have us focused. A silk or brocade runner is always a good start. To jazz it up and give a festive touch, add one or two gold-plated tableware, a few floral elements and tea-light holders. Finish it up with rice lights thrown carelessly around. For a change, let’s not go for a totally matched look but strive beyond that and bring unusual elements together for that ultimate synchronised setup!
Meaningful gifting
Exchanging gifts is a big yes at Diwali but don’t let that stress you. The best deal would be to gift greens or an adorable plant decor setup. A beautiful Ganesh tea-light holder would add a nice traditional touch to your gifting as well.
To be truthful, I’m excited for Diwali this year. It’s going to be something different. Why? Because we deserve this celebration after the kind of year we’ve all had, but even more so, when you combine all the right elements, from decor, to greenery, to the beautiful floral additions and to top it off, beautiful company — it’s bound to be the best. Let’s take this fortunate time, where we can celebrate and spread smiles, and extend it even to the non-fortunate ones. It’s Diwali time after all. So join me and let’s make it a green Diwali. As I love to say: Yeh Diwali, Chlorofyl wali!
Pictures: B. Halder
Monika Poddar owns plant boutique Chlorofyl. Reach her on @ChlorofylKol (FB) and @chlorofyl_giftinggreens (IG)