Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time for celebrations, prayers, and togetherness. But let’s be honest — it’s also a time for last-minute hustle & bustle, especially shopping! Be it last-minute Diwali gifts, home decor items, or rangoli colors. Something or the other always gets missed while we get caught up in the festivities. If you’re rushing to get everything sorted, here’s a checklist to help you cover all your Diwali shopping needs.
This year, Diwali falls on Friday, 1st November 2024. The shubh muhurat for Lakshmi Puja is between 6:04 PM and 8:02 PM.
Decorative Lights and Diyas
Needless to say, Diwali celebrations are incomplete without lighting up your home! Whether it’s traditional clay diyas or modern LED lights, ensure you have enough to decorate your home. The end-minute light setup mishap can be a sudden rush. You can go for:
- Traditional earthen diyas
- Electric string lights for outdoor and indoor decor
- Candles in various shapes and scents
- Electric diyas and candles
Pro Tip: Opt for traditional diyas as they are eco-friendly as well as conventional. And of course, they look aesthetic!
Sweets and Snacks
No matter how hard you try to diet, Diwali is a time for bulking and stuffing ourselves with delicious food and delightful sweets, and savory snacks. If you haven’t prepared for the feast yet, here’s what you should grab last minute, ‘cause you know, guests can walk in any time!
- Traditional Indian sweets like ladoos, barfis, and jalebis
- Savory traditional snacks like namak pare, mathris, and chaklis
- Dry fruits and nuts for gifting and munching
Pro Tip: If you’re running out of time, online orders with express delivery can help.
Gift Hampers and Corporate Gifts
Gifting is an essential part of Diwali shopping. You give gifts, take gifts, and remember it until next year so you can do better! That’s the fun, right? If you’re scrambling to find the perfect gifts, here’s what you can consider:
- Pre-packed Diwali gift hampers with sweets, dry fruits, and candles
- Personalized items like mugs, cushions, or engraved pens
- Corporate gifts for colleagues, including diaries, chocolates, or office accessories
Pro Tip: Many online platforms now offer express delivery, ensuring your gifts arrive on time.
Clothes and Accessories
All of the celebrations in old clothes? Nah! New clothes are a significant part of the Diwali shopping. Whether you’re buying for yourself or your family, make sure everyone looks fresh & newly groomed in their full energy. Here are some must-haves:
- Ethnic wear like sarees, kurtas, or lehengas
- Accessories such as jewelry, bangles, and hairpieces
- Festive footwear like mojris or juttis
Pro Tip: clothing is a personal choice, but the Indian festival looks the best in traditional attire.
Home Décor
Diwali means deep cleaning of the home and giving it a festive makeover. It’s literally the best time to make the best of your place. So, make sure that people take ideas from you next year while making their apartment Diwali-ready. Here’s what you can add to your shopping car to stand out:
- Wind chimes or door hangings to welcome guests
- Fresh flowers like marigolds or roses
- Make Rangoli or get ready-made stencils to create vibrant floor designs
Pro tip: You can add candles and diya to your indoors as well to give it a charming appeal.
Puja Essentials
The essence of Diwali is the Lakshmi Puja. it is considered auspicious as the pooja brings prosperity, peace, and good fortune. However, you’ll need a few key items for a smooth and complete prayer session:
- Idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
- Puja thali with diya, ghee, joyti, agarbatti, and kapur
- Flowers and fresh fruits
- A gold/ silver coin or jewelry
PS: The pooja essentials may depend upon your personal beliefs and rituals. These are just some common items that are considered necessary.
Firecrackers
While firecrackers are a part of Diwali tradition, it’s essential to be mindful of the environment. Don’t compromise with the fun, but you can still opt for eco-friendly, less noisy options or even celebrate with sparklers and simple phuljharis.
Pro Tip: Check your local regulations on firecrackers, as many cities now have restrictions in place.
DONE YET?
With this last-minute Diwali shopping checklist, you can enjoy a hassle-free festival without missing any of the essentials. So, make sure you’re well-prepared and embrace the festival with joy, love, and light!
Happy Diwali 2024!
