Come October, North India has a certain whiff in the air that reminds you of marigold-ladden walls, fairy-lit homes and comfy floor seatings. It turns even stronger towards day-break as you wrap up work and something just urges you to dress up in ethnic wear and be out on your way to a 'Diwali party' next door.
If this doesn't sound relatable, you're probably not from around Delhi and must be educated on this ASAP. Diwali parties or hashtag card parties are the Gen Z or millennial way of celebrating the onset of festival season, specifically in Delhi or parts of Northern India. So, if you want to be as cool as the kids from South Delhi, keep reading.
As the days grow shorter and the air cooler, Delhites are ready with the season's best outfits, bottles of whiskey, gold-plated cards and what not, to attend a string of parties lined up for the entire month leading up to Diwali. With the rise in Instagram aesthetics, influencer-culture and now reels, these parties are often an extravagant affair where attendees dress to impress, stay up all night playing teen-patti or poker, the more acceptable South-Delhish version of playing taash, and of course, gourmet dishes and free-flowing alcohol!
If you haven't been invited to one yet, worry not! This guide from a serial Diwali-party attender will help you throw a Diwali bash of your own that will be the talk of the town for seasons to come.
Invite: First impression is the last impression
If you want people to take your Diwali party seriously, you need to get serious about making a good first impression. The way to do that is by creating a solid invite! And no, a simple WhatsApp message won't do if you want people to actually make time for your Diwali party out of all the others. So, check out the best Diwali invite templates on Canva for the season, fill in your details, and blast a broadcast right away! You're welcome.
Decor: Don't try this at home!
Seriously, if you don't have an expertise in decor, don't try to ace it now either. Just trust the experts and use daddy's loose change to call yourself an events or decoration company. After all, the entire (or a major) point of throwing this party is to be the talk of the town, and if your guests aren't excited enough about your decorations to post about the party on their IG, you better not have one in the first place! Okay, chill. Here are the top decor companies that are trusted by popular Instagram influencers on an almost daily basis – from fancy proposals, to surprise birthday party for boo, Mother's day, Father's day and literally ANY ordinary day, they know how to make heads turn with their aesthetics. Just call them!
Food: This is all they'll really remember!
Stop. Wait. Don't scroll yet. If you're about to skip reading this part thinking 'oh we'll just order some pizzas', you'll fail being the talk of the town miserably! Remember, all your guests will really remember when they wake up hungover the next day, is what they ate last night. And if you do this part carefully, chances are that hangover might be a lot less worse, and they will never skip any of your parties ever again. Okay, so now that you're convinced, go full on gourmet on their plates with some of the best caterers in town (again, trusted by your friendly-IG-feedhood influencers). Don't forget to check out their theme-based menus for scoring a perfect 10 on your Diwali party food arrangements!
Things to do: Stand out with activities and props!
It's a card party, so you need a good deck or two – maybe go for these limited-edition cards by a popular illustrator on Instagram. But, that's not it. If you want to be remembered as the 'hostess with the mostess', you need to make sure your guests have a gala of a time. What can make your Diwali party stand out is a thoughtful activity planned that doesn't seem too forced and is done at the right time when everyone is in the mood.
Other than welcome shots (mix it up with a desi golgappa vodka shot), guests lighting floating candles on the pathway as they enter the party, a round of genda-pong (just a desi version of beer-pong invented exclusively for this blog, as I type this), and a photo-op, you can even have something mesmerising (and Insta-worthy) like lighting hot-air lanterns with your guests as the party comes to an end.
Find some more Diwali-themed props that will leave your guests talking about it all over social media here: 🌟 Propshop24: Diwali Edit 2021
Outfit Inspo: Skip Ajio, Myntra for these 'fashun' edits right off the 'gram
Now that your party prep is sorted, we got to get you out of those PJs and into couture! While your phone must be blowing up with offers from brands on ethnic wear and Diwali party clothes, here are some of the most unique and quirky fits that will make YOU the talk of the town if not your party. Check them fashion-influencer-approved fits here:
🌟 Masaba Gupta - Card Party Edit
🌟 Designer wear from Pesha India
🌟 Ethnic fits from kadhaeeghar
Tip: Don't forget to create a dress-up/transition reel when you're at it. 1 million views, what!?
Gifts: Say no to dry fruits & son papdi
What's Diwali without a nice hefty hamper that gets passed along? Well, you can't have a say in who will finally own the Diwali gift you so generously bestow upon your guests, but you do have a chance to convince them to keep it if you follow this guide. Here are your best bets for gifting as you sign off from the coolest Diwali party of the town, and leave your guests shrieking with joy!
🌟 Hamper with wine from @wrappersnapper.india
🌟 Happiness Box for Diwali @ Rs 499/-
🌟 Full of deserts, 'The Classy Poker Tray'
🌟 Diwali Dhamaka hamper by @the_wrapped_heart
🌟 Mini Metal Trunk by @atrangipitaara
Lastly, don't forget to create a unique hashtag for your Diwali bash if you really want to do it like a pro and be known for the epic parties you throw.
While I may have gone overboard with a few things as I write this piece in utter frustration of not yet getting a single Diwali party invite, don't forget to take this guide with a pinch of salt. Because, who are we kidding? Keeping these influencer-vibes aside, everything is cool as long as you have a good time with your loved ones. But, if you really believe in social media supremacy, and this guide helps you in any way, I won't mind an invite. Just saying. :)
Have a prosperous and happy Diwali folks, go crazy, and if you think I've missed out on anything, hit me up with suggestions in the comments below!
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