Diwali, Christmas, New Year... the festive season has only yet begun and we can already feel the excitement. The best part is it's contagious! iDiva promises you a month of everything festive. From festive wardrobes to make up and decor to recipes... even festive budgeting... we bring you all that and more this season. So if you haven't started making those mouth-watering sweets or shopping for festive clothes and gifts yet, we guarantee we have what it takes to get you to catch that Festive Fever!
Lend a hand: So what if you are not as religious as your mother-in-law? You can always lend a hand when she prepares for the big puja at home. This Diwali, ask her to relax and you do the groundwork. Clean up the puja area, keep the jewellery ready for the idol and shop for fruits, sweets and other stuff that you would need for the day. Be ready to feel blessed, literally.
Go shopping: Diwali is a time to rejoice and revel in grand festivities. It is also the perfect excuse to shop for the family. Take your parents-in-law out to buy something fancy– pick up a rich kanjeevaram for your mom-in-law and maybe a traditional kurta for your husband’s father. Considering his family is huge and close-knit, don’t forget to buy something small for the aunts, uncles and of course, the kids.
Enter the kitchen: If you are waiting to don the chef’s hat and want to flaunt your culinary skills, then there's no better time than Diwali! So get started with some mouth-watering mithais or snacks and show your mom-in-law you can cook. If you don’t have the recipe for that scrumptious Diwali sweet your mom used to make, then hurry up and call her. Wait for the family to shower you with compliments this festive season.
Arrange a house party: With hectic schedules, it has been quite a while since your husband got an opportunity to hang out with his family. Let him know that you would like to arrange a get-together at home. Call up his close relatives and invite them on Diwali night for a home-cooked dinner. Your in-laws will surely be happy and impressed.
Take a day off: Excuse yourself at work one day before Diwali. This way you can clean and do up the house and also spend some valuable time bonding with your mother-in-law. It also shows you are serious about helping her out with the festivities. Ask her what she needs to get done and then get cracking!
Open up: Do you take a little time to open up or find it tough to strike up a conversation in the presence of your in-laws? Well, there’s always a first time. At the family get-together, look for topics that could set the ball rolling. Topics such as travel, food or even property prices can be great starters. It’s not as difficult as it seems. After all, your parents-in-law do want you to be family.
Decorate the house: It’s Diwali time and a chance to clear the junk and make the house look spic and span for the family to hang out together. Go shopping for candles, lights and lamps to decorate your home. Add your personal touch with colour and accessories and see how your in-laws feel proud of you when the guests arrive.
Plan their vacation: If you really want to impress your parents-in-law this Diwali, pack them off to an undisclosed destination for a vacation. Plan the trip in such a way that they experience a hassle-free holiday. Assure them that everything has been taken care of and they need not worry about hotel bookings and car rentals. They'll be raving about it when they are back!
