A happy belated Divali, Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas, Bestu Varas, and Bhai Beej to you all! I hope that you all enjoyed the holiday with your families.
I absolutely love Divali time because it brings back fond memories of my parents’ Divali poojas and parties. The friends, family, food, and the warm glow of the divas were all magical.
Did you ever create rangolis like this? Did you make one this year?
As Indian American Toddler gets older, I want to share these special holidays with him too. But with work and other obligations, I can’t go the full 9 yards like my parents did.
One easy way I found to celebrate Divali was to share activities and food with Indian American Toddler’s daycare class.
I know, I know, you’re thinking, “I barely have time to get through the normal workweek, let alone plan a big shindig for my kid’s class.”
But folks, this is easy peasy. I promise.
STEP 1: Google “Divali pictures to color.”
STEP 2: Pick a picture, and underneath write a sentence or two about the significance of Divali.
Here is the picture I used.
STEP 3: Print copies for the class or have the teacher make copies at school. The kids can color the picture with crayons or markers.
STEP 4: Buy freeze dried mangos at Trader Joe’s. Nut-free, prepackaged, no sugar added. All the moms will love you. They taste like candy so the kids will love you too.
The freeze dried mango packets look like this.
STEP 5: Play your air guitar. You’re a rock star mom who just threw together a Divali celebration.
Now you may be thinking, “But Divali’s already passed. Isn’t it too late to do this?” Nope. Unlike Christmas and Thanksgiving, most people don’t know the actual date of Divali, so it won’t seem untimely even if you celebrate it after the fact. So what are you waiting for? Plan your celebration today.
How did you celebrate Divali? Can you share any tips with us other moms on how to pull together a celebration?
