Diwali is one of the popular festivals of India. It marks the victory of good over evil. Diwali is popularly known as “festival of light” and people celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. Diwali is famous for sweets, Diwali gifts, makeover or Diwali Home decoration etc. People believe that on Diwali day, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth comes home in the form of money, gold, gifts etc. Therefore, shopping for Diwali festival is the inevitable for people in India.
Diwali is not only a cultural festival of India but also a shopping festival that reaps rich dividends for businesses. Business sectors like Shopping Malls, Jewellers, Super markets and Electronic Home appliance, Real estate and various other business sectors come up with innovative business ideas during Diwali to enhance business incomes.
Things you must have in the Diwali Shopping List
Earlier Diwali shopping meant that you had to run from one shop to another for buying different things. But today, technology has grown so fast with the new trend of Diwali shopping being online shopping or booking things through the Internet. Most reputed companies offer free home delivery and various incentives for their customers during Diwali. The following are some important things that you need to have in your shopping list.
Diwali Gift: Make Diwali a special festival with gifts. You can check online shopping portals which can give you Diwali gift ideas. It is said that a gift is the best way to express ones feelings or affection for others. During Diwali, people exchange gifts and sweets with family, friends and neighbors. If you are busy this Diwali but want some diwali gift, online gifting sites offer a vast collection of Diwali gift items.Plan Diwali gifts for your spouse, children, parents or family and friends. You can choose Diwali gifts such as chocolates, sweets, gold coins, idols of gods or goddesses, traditional dress, Diwali gift hampers, leather wallet, penholder, diyas or candles, greeting cards etc.
Diwali Dress or Clothing: New clothes are a vital component that needs to be included in your Diwali shopping list. Diwali shopping cannot be completed without buying new clothes. On Diwali day all the members in a family wear ethnic clothes considering that buying new clothes for Diwali is like an age-old tradition. It presents the ideal time for planning your shopping and choosing the best clothes for you and your loved ones.
Ornaments or Jewels: Diwali is an auspicious day for shopping for gold and ornaments. It is believed that buying gold symbolises the blessing that Goddess Lakshmi showers on you. In their Diwali Shopping list, after clothes, women prefer ornaments. They also prefer decorative ornaments like glass bangles, with the list also including trendy bindis, mehendi etc.
Gadgets and Home appliances: Some people prefer the latest gadgets and energy saving home appliances in their Diwali shopping list. You can also include Kitchen utensils, steel vessels or storage containers etc, all of which are useful for a home.
Diwali Puja Thali: Diwali is renowned for Diwali puja or prayer and Diwali Puja Thali plays a vital role during Diwali celebrations. Diwali puja thali is a puja plate that is easily available from shops which contain all puja items like Roli, Kalash, Agarbatti, Camphor, coconut, betel, betel leaves, sandalwood paste, candles etc. Diwali Puja Thali is available with basic puja items along with a well decorated puja plate.
Diwali Home Decoration Items: Diwali Home decoration items include Rangoli Powder or Rangoli paintings which are considered auspicious and a sign of welcoming Goddess Lakshmi to your home. It also includes plastic leaf torans or door hangings made decorative with various Hindu gods with traditional torans being made of mango leaves. Diwali Home decoration items also include small idols of Lord Ganesh which are worshipped along with Goddess Lakshmi, an important deity for Diwali celebration. Among Diwali decoration items, one of the main attractions is a bowl which comes in various shapes and sizes. You can fill water in the bowl and put some flowers with floating candles. This can be used as a focal point in your living room on Diwali day.
Diwali Candles or Diya Lamp: Diwali is incomplete without diya or candle. Diwali the festival of lights means a row of lamps. Traditionally, all houses are decorated with tiny lights called diyas. A diya is an earthen lamp, made out of clay. Today Diwali diyas or candles are available in different shapes and sizes. Today, shops and online marts offer attractive diyas which you can purchase for your home as well to be gift others.
Curtains: Curtains enhance the look of a room and it is one of the easiest ways to bring a festive look to your home. Choose curtains and drapes for your windows that suit your Diwali theme while decorating your home for Diwali. So when you are making your Diwali shopping list, ensure that you also include curtains, tablemats and rugs or accessories that will give a warm and welcoming look.
Diwali Lanterns or Paper light Lanterns: A Diwali lantern or hanging lantern is a vital component that you must include in your Diwali shopping list. Lanterns of different shapes and sizes creates an illusion of stairs and add to the grandeur of the occasion. Diwali lantern is available in glass that lasts longer and is available in paper that can be easily disposable after Diwali celebrations.
Audio Cds or Devotional Songs: The festival is incomplete without devotional or Diwali songs. You can buy an audio CD or get good collections from your friends or relatives. Traditionally, people used to play devotional songs like “Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva” or “Om Jai Jagadeesh Hare” during the puja.
Diwali Wall Paint: Wall paint is a part of Diwali home decoration. If you are planning to change the wall color of your living room and you have enough time and money, go for attractive wall color that highlights your living room theme and matches with the Diwali decoration.
Decorative Lamps: Today electric lights or lamps has a special place in the shopping list for festivals of India. When shopping for Diwali, electric lamps are unavoidable as it is the festival of lights and various styles or shapes of bulbs are available which resembles rows of candles or diyas. Main advantage of such lights is that it looks like diyas and are safe to use.
Fire Crackers: Kids love crackers and diwali is incomplete for children without crackers. You can include Diwali Crackers in your shopping list but ensure they are safe for your kids. According one of legends of Diwali celebration, Diwali is return of Lord Sri Rama to Ayodhya and people celebrate by lighting diyas and bursting crackers.
Diwali Feast: On Diwali festival day, people visit their friends and relatives with Diwali gifts. Diwali feast is normally prepared in home by women; but in today’s busy city life, people are forced to depend on restaurants and catering services for Diwali. In your Diwali shopping list, ensure that you plan food from a good service provider for organizing a traditional diwali fest for your family.
Diwali Sweets: Diwali festival celebration is not only about Diwali puja, Diwali gifts or Diwali home decoration but also about some mouth-watering sweets and cusinies. Don’t get tempted by seeing sweets in the market or shopping center. During Diwali, adulterated sweets flood the market. Therefore, ensure that you are buying sweets from reputed sweet shops who have a valid authorised licence.
It is important that you plan ahead of Diwali and decide on your budget in advance. Avoid over expenses by making your Diwali shopping list and stick to it. This will help you to avoid impulsive buying and to get all things that you had planned for your Diwali. Often people plan ahead; but due to the rush to buy everything for Diwali, they forget vital things that are required. Make a Diwali shopping list and start Diwali shopping atleast one week before Diwali.
