Dear Swati,
Diwali is the celebration of a new start, of prosperity, honoring friends and family. So whether you are having an office Diwali party or a quieter celebration of your own, below are some ideas to think about.
DIWALI PARTY AT WORK
Many workplaces or associations within workplaces are trying to celebrate diwali and other multicultural festivals.
Note before we start: When celebrating at work, there are many things to remember. Sensitivity to your coworkers is one. Second is remembering concerns and restrictions around allergies, fire safety, building rules. Please check all of this from preventing the event from deteriorating into a mish mash of hurt emotions or reprimands. Remember to consider safety first and all building rules before lighting diyas at work! Unlit diyas work just as well.
Ideas to celebrate diwali at work:
• Take beautiful Indian tablecloths or bed sheets to cover the tables in your cafetaria or office venue.
• Create centerpieces by using unlit decorated diyas, empty containers of firecrackers, dry fruits and nuts. Dont light the diyas unless allowed by the office and then too carefully. Or create traditional rangoli or rangoli with colored rice.
• Use traditional Indian flowers like marigold to decorate.
• Print out traditional diwali images for a collage for your notice board.
• Play some bollywood or other Indian music and if allowed. Some offices actually get people to teach bollywood dancing!
• Serve Indian food, or sweets or just deserts, dry fruits, snacks (such as pita chips)
• Have dishes of gold and silver coin chocolates to take away
• Read up on Diwali traditions and reasons, and be ready to explain to all the people who show up.
• Serve a cake with firecracker candles (if allowed by building people and HR)
• Play a slideshow of Diwali images on TV
• If its a large party, you can call a henna artist in for the event.
Happy Diwali............