Your ultimate Diwali party planning guide

It can be pretty cumbersome if you havent planned a Diwali party and are entrusted to host one last minute Chances are that the headless chicken routine may soon kick start ndash Where do you get those fairy lights And sweets Oh and lets not even get started on basics for a puja if you are to host oneKeeping the focus group for the party in mind weve got three party planners from the city to share their insights for a quick fix Diwali dhamaka at home that everyone mdash the young and the old mdash wants to be invited toGlow for the youngstersNikul Ganatra founder of Sparkle Event Solutions suggests a quirky Diwalloween for youngsters Since Diwali and Halloween fall a day after another your theme could be a mix of the festival of lights and dark Or try electronica mdash an electric or neon colour coded theme with bright yellows electric blues florescent greens and fiery reds to electrify the atmosphere Place a few UV tubes easily available at local electrical shops behind sofa sets to create a glow in the dark effect says GanatraTry grilled kebabs kathi rolls pizza and nongreasy finger foods suggests Ganatra Keep the main course simple with biryani or pulao Hire a good bartender if you can at short notice but keep the drinks flowing Desi cocktails like golgappa shots will get everyones taste buds tingling Keep some nonalcoholic drinks like raspberry mojito too says Ganatra Dont forget the karaoke available on the internet or get a karaoke microphone and attach it to the TV set or hifi music system After a few drinks everyone wants to be a singer he saysTip for the hostAlways see your friends to their cars or help in calling a taxi for them Be prepared for the too sleepy or too inebriated guests Make arrangements for a sleep overCulture trip for the kidsBeing the festive season Juhi Agarwal Founder of Party A La Carte prefers rich culture themes Why not take your guests with kids to Marrakesh A Moroccan theme party has beautiful and exotic touches that can transform your guests to the festive mood instantly says AgarwalAgarwal suggests that you start with a low table with iumlnotu00c2u0082oor seating ideal for kids Throw a traditional Moroccan table runner Add bold colours like purple and white with gold accents in the form of rugs cushions and curtains Keep Moroccan lanterns and candles mosaic tile print coasters mdash all of which are easily available in select furnishing and interiors storesGo for different iumlnotu00c2u0082avours of hummus dips serve with pita bread and shawarmas says Agarwal You can order pita breads hummus and other dips from gourmet supermarkets or Lebanese restaurants and assemble it on a platterKids can be kept engaged and entertained with sand art henna tattoo cookie design and decorating diyas For gifts Agarwal recommends Moroccan soaps and sweets or jewellery trinkets and handmade bracelets for kids and adults alikeTip for the hostMake sure your guests are relaxed comfortable pampered and wellfedMake light of it for the eldersJigna Madia of Euphoria Creators suggests that the theme could be Young India or say Young at 5060 The home can be done up with traditional homemade lanterns vibrant torans and colourful paper fans says Madia For the food she recommends different states specialties like a Gujarat corner with dhokla and undhiyu a Punjab pavilion with chole bhature and a south Indian counter with dosa and idli Indian drinks like buttermilk rabdi lassi can be kept common Play some peppy music from the 1970s to really take them back to their youth and make sure they shake a leg with each otherShe suggests that they can go home with personalised gifts like a photoframe with a picture from their youth Its a bit of work but the look on their face will be totally worth it concludes MadiaTip for the hostInvolve and engage at least 99 per cent of the party crowd in the plans