If you are alone on Diwali this year, here are things you can do to feel less lonely.
What do you first imagine when you think of Diwali? Spending time with family at home? Bursting crackers with your siblings? Visiting your extended relatives? Or maybe a big fat family dinner?
And are you looking at spending Diwali alone this year? Work isn't allowing you to be home those few days?
Don't be upset. Here are a few tips to make you feel less lonely, and more Diwali-ey this time.
1) Clean your house/PG
You maybe an obsessive cleaner, or maybe someone who likes to live in a mess. But cleaning the house a few days before Diwali will remind you of the time when your mom forced you to clean your room and throw away everything you ever hoarded. This will constantly remind you Diwali is on its way and keep you busy.
Recycle those old newspapers, clean those fans, remove the cobwebs, arrange your cupboard. Haven't you seen your mom do everything on her own every year? You've got this!
2) Retail therapy
Shop! Yes, shop for new clothes, ethnic ones. Dressing up well will keep you in a good mood and not bring down your spirits. Girls, wear those sarees that you haven't touched and have been lying in your cupboard forever. Pair it up with chunky earrings and traditional jewellery. This will certainly bring in the Diwali feel. Your office might host a Diwali party, and you have fin got a chance to show off that beautiful saree!
Need fashion tips for this Diwali? Read- Diwali 2015: Five monotones you must embrace this festive season
3) Light up your house
After shopping for new clothes, shop for fancy diyas and scented candles. You can also buy plain brown diyas and paint them. Show off your painting skills. Take pictures, post them online and bombard your friends' timelines with your creativity! Hang string lights or fairy lights outside your window, or in the balcony.
4) Make Rangolis
Isn't Diwali just incomplete without a colourful rangoli at your doorstep? Check out a few YouTube rangoli tutorials and try them out. If you aren't very creative, make a simple one and decorate it with diyas. Take Picture, repeat.
5) Firecrackers:
Ok, no. Don't burst crackers. There are more cool things you can do than bursting crackers. So keep reading.
Also read: When is Diwali going to be celebrated in 2015?
6) Plan Diwali night with your friends
There are a lot of options here. You will certainly have colleagues and friends who are planning to spend the day alone too. Call them up. Meet up for dinner, or plan a nightout. Get a pack of cards or board games. You can even cook dinner for them, if you are confident enough.
Share your Diwali stories with each other. Take a number of pictures and of course, selfies. You will never forget the Diwali you have (not) spent alone.
7) Call/Skype/Viber with family
Call your mom up; ask her what is she cooking. Ask your dad who all are visiting and who gifted whom what. Send your families gifts back home. Make a video call too if possible. This will make you feel extremely nostalgic. Now, don't cry. There, there.
8) Visit your friends' family
If you have good friends in the city, then you can visit them. Their moms would sure be more than happy to invite you for Diwali dinner. Spend the evening with them. You will distract yourself from all the loneliness you are going through.
9) Make sweets
Diwali=Sweets!
Diwali isn't Diwali if you didn't stuff yourself with sweets. You can try making some gulab jamuns at home. Making Diwali sweets at home will keep you occupied and bring in the festive feeling. You can share a plate of sweets with your neighbours. And the advantage of doing this? When that plate returns, it will be filled with all sorts of Diwali delicacies! #AwesomeIndianTraditions (Psst... in case the experiment fails, buy some fancy sweets from outside. No one has to know)
10) Charity activities
Visit an orphanage and donate clothes, food or money. After you have cleaned your room, you may have a few set of clothes that you want to give away. Visit old age homes and spend your day there. They could be as lonely as you are at that age. Nothing like bringing a smile on someone's face.
Now that you are armed with these tips, we hope you have a fantastic Diwali this year!
Happy Diwali!!
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