How to celebrate Diwali abroad: Fun ways to keep the festive spirit alive

When you’re working abroad during the festive season, there are two types of people: those secretly relieved to dodge the endless barrage of relative Q&As, and those who truly, deeply miss home.

Whatever side you’re on, if you’re planning to celebrate Diwali on your own terms (aka in peace), don’t worry—it’s totally doable!

Whether you can’t make it home or just want to create your own Diwali traditions this year, here are some easy ways to spark those festive vibes.

Let’s get the party started!

1. Clean and Declutter

A major part of Diwali prep is cleaning and decluttering. Basically, it’s our version of spring cleaning.

Fun fact: People in colder countries stay cooped up all winter, collecting dust and stale air, so when spring rolls around, they air everything out and give the house a good scrub. Now, Diwali may not mean spring, but that doesn’t mean you should skip cleaning. After all, if you’re inviting friends over, you don’t want them to see your place in its “natural state,” right? Even if you’re flying solo, a clean space means a clear mind.

Plus, legend has it that Goddess Lakshmi visits homes that are squeaky clean. So, if you’re hoping for some extra blessings (and maybe a bit of luck), grab that duster and get to work!

Pro tip: Throw out anything that doesn’t spark joy. Because hey, we’re all about those Marie Kondo vibes.

2. Decorate Your Home

Time to get your place Diwali-ready! Here’s what you need:

• Diyas & Candles: Nothing says Diwali like the warm glow of diyas. They symbolise light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. But if you’re worried about setting off the smoke alarm (or your anxiety levels), go for LED diyas. They’ll give you the festive glow without the stress.
  
  
• Fairy Lights: Who says fairy lights are just for Christmas? Wrap some colorful fairy lights around your home, doorways, or balcony. They’re cheap, cheerful, and won’t burn your house down. Turn off all the regular lights and let the fairy lights do their magic—you’ll feel instantly festive and relaxed.
  
  
• Rangoli: Whether you use chalk, coloured powders, or flower petals, making a rangoli at your doorstep is a must. You can find pre-made rangoli stickers at Indian stores if you’re tight on space. Just double-check that your rental or local rules don’t frown upon this colourful tradition!
  
  
• Torans: If you’re wondering what torans are, they’re those pretty hanging decorations you see on doors. Usually made from mango leaves, flowers, or beads, they symbolise protection and a warm welcome. Hang one up, and your house will feel instantly more festive!

3. Get Your Festive Clothes Ready

Now that you’ve decluttered, you’ve got space for some new clothes, right?

In all seriousness, Diwali is the perfect excuse to don something fresh and fabulous. Whether it’s a sari, salwar kameez, kurta, or lehenga, wearing new clothes symbolises joy, prosperity, and a fresh start.

And hey, if traditional clothes aren’t your thing, that’s cool too. Even a new set of comfy jeans will do—just throw on some Indian jewellery to keep the festive spirit alive.

4. Set the Mood with Music or Movies

What’s a festival without some groovy tunes? Picture this: you wake up, throw on some music, make your morning coffee, and bam—you’re already feeling the Diwali vibes. No one’s asking you to curate your own playlist, though! Just hop onto Spotify, find a festive playlist, and voilà, you’ve got an instant shortcut to setting the mood.

Whether it’s classic Diwali songs, bhajans, or upbeat Bollywood hits, music always helps. But if you’re more of a movie buff, queue up a Diwali movie marathon instead! Think Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham or Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to hit those nostalgic notes. And hey, even if Diwali-themed movies aren’t your thing, why not chill out with your Netflix must-watch list?

After all, whether you’re avoiding relatives’ nosy questions or just killing time before your next house visit, there’s no better distraction than some quality screen time. Plus, you could always kick off a “drama” of your own when those relatives start with their Q&A session!

5. Get Your Puja Supplies

If you’re planning to do Lakshmi puja at home this Diwali but don’t know where to start, don’t panic! You just need a few essentials—most of which you can grab from your local Indian or Asian supermarket.

• Puja Thali: Get yourself a diya, incense sticks, flowers, kumkum, and some rice. You can also order these online if your local stores don’t stock them.
  
  
• Flowers: No marigolds? No worries! You can always go for roses or any colourful flowers that brighten up your space.
  
  
• Lakshmi Puja Essentials: Make sure you have a small idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi and some silver coins (or anything symbolic of wealth). Once you’ve got all that, you’re all set to perform the puja.

And hey, make sure you’ve done your spring cleaning beforehand—remember, Goddess Lakshmi prefers a tidy house!

Here’s a quick guide to the puja steps, straight from the Times of India playbook:

1. Set up the puja platform: In your puja room or living room, spread a red cloth on a table and place a handful of grains in the center.
   
   
2. Place the kalash: Fill a silver or bronze pot (kalash) with water, add a betel nut, marigold, coin, and rice. Arrange five mango leaves in a circle on top.
   
   
3. Place idols: Put the idol of Goddess Lakshmi in the centre and Lord Ganesha on the right (South-West direction) of the kalash. Make a rice “mountain” in front of the idols and draw a lotus flower with haldi.
   
   
4. Add account books: Place your account books and any wealth-related items near the idol.
   
   
5. Apply tilak and light diyas: Tilak time! Apply it to the idols and the kalash, then light up those diyas.
   
   
6. Offer flowers: Hold some flowers, say your prayers, and offer them to Lakshmi and Ganesha.
   
   
7. Offer water: Bathe the Lakshmi idol with water and panchamrita, dry it off, and place it back.
   
   
8. Garland time: Adorn the idol with a garland, burn some incense, and you’re golden!
   
   
9. Offer fruits and sweets: Time to feed the gods! Offer fruits, sweets, and even coconut to the Goddess.
   
   
10. Perform the Aarti: Finish things off with a lovely Lakshmi Aarti.

6. Send Out Diwali Cards or E-Greetings

If you’re spending Diwali abroad and still want to remind your family you exist, why not send them some Diwali cards? You can go old school with physical cards or, if you’re in the fast lane, send out some fun e-greetings via WhatsApp. Bonus points if you “borrow” one from the family group chat and just forward it back to them!

7. Buy Diwali Gifts

If your love language is gifting, this one’s for you! Send gifts or sweets to loved ones back home in India through online platforms that deliver locally. For friends abroad, you can put together Diwali hampers with candles, sweets, or festive decor. There are plenty of online stores offering beautiful Diwali gift baskets for international delivery.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry—e-commerce platforms have your back with everything from jewellery, dry fruits, to traditional sweets, all within your budget. After all, nothing says “I love you” quite like a box of mithai!

8. Send Money Back Home

Gifts are great, but sometimes cash is king. If you’re not sure what to get, why not send some money instead? It’s a surefire way to make sure your loved ones get exactly what they want.

Just a heads-up: remember that bank holidays can throw a wrench in your plans. So, if you’re sending money home, double-check the holiday schedule to ensure your transfer gets there on time!

See? Celebrating Diwali abroad doesn’t have to be tricky. Whether you’re dodging the family reunion or missing home, these simple steps can help bring a little Diwali magic to your world, no matter where you are!

Before you go…

With Diwali just around the corner, are you feeling stuck abroad and missing out on all the fun back home?

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Your loved ones will be over the moon with your thoughtful gesture as they celebrate Diwali together!

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