Everything you need to host an eco-friendly Diwali party
It even includes a handmade bamboo speaker
As a kid, I loved dancing around the chakri crackers as they spun in hypnotic circles of light like tiny drunk dragons. Our parents wisely wouldn’t let us within a mile of the rassi bombs and the traditional phatakas, which is probably why I’m able to type this now with all 10 digits and my eyebrows intact. As fun as those chakri adventures were, in the 8th grade, I gave up burning firecrackers. As a nation, we were wisening up to their environmental impact and the focus turned to having an eco-friendly Diwali. I will acquiesce that I may have cried a few tears — or bucketful. And, in the wake of the pandemic, it makes even more sense to find ways to host a rager without piling extra stress on the environment or our lungs.
Most of us grew up seeing our mothers fashion our old clothes — which were probably inherited as hand-me-downs as well — into dolls, or pocchas and dusting rags as all resourceful mothers would do. This is something unique to all South Asian households, the mentality that waste isn’t waste until we waste it. Sustainability is ingrained in our minds, entwined with our culture like rice in kheer. So when it comes to planning an eco-friendly Diwali party, you just have to channel your mother’s resourcefulness to create a distinctive festive experience, with these sustainable offerings from our favourite brands.
We’re not saying you have to turn into Boring Binny and marshal all the fun out of this much-anticipated Diwali. Just allow us to show you ways in which you can have your kaju katli and eat it too. From decor to return gifts, there’s an eco-friendly option for each of your festive favourites. Your attention to detail is bound to have your guests nodding in approval.
8 steps to organising an eco-friendly Diwali party
Crochet string lights by Samoolam
Handcrafted by the women of Gaya, Bihar, the pink flower lights will make your living room glow with their warmth.
And the best part? They multitask as mood lights for your bedroom in case you’re in the mood for an after-party.
Handmade Bamboo Speakers and Mandala Lantern by The Happy Turtle
What Diwali party is complete without some music? These handmade bamboo speakers will be the perfect sustainable addition to your eco-friendly Diwali.
Play the music on your device and place it in the top slot for an amplified musical experience using only your phone and bamboo. It will also double as the most useful travel companion for music lovers because it does not require any cords or charging and can fit into the bottle side pocket of any ordinary bag.
A handmade iron lantern with colourful mandala designs is included with the speakers.
Amethyst-studded candle Mojave by Tweak India
An eco-friendly Diwali means steering away from your anaars and phuljhadis, but you can strike a compromise by lighting a few candles instead.
Tweak’s new amethyst-studded candle Mojave will fill your room with aromas of jasmine and mandarin, underpinned by sandalwood and vanilla. Don’t blame us if it steals the limelight at your Diwali party for its good looks and mood-enhancing properties.
Leonardo da Vinci reportedly kept an amethyst crystal on his desk, for they “dispel evil thoughts and speed up thinking.” And you’ll need all the help you can get if you’re as bad at playing cards as I am.
Once the candle has melted away, the glass container can be reused to store beauty brushes, stationery, or as little vases to display on your dresser.
Zero-waste Playing Cards by Bare Necessities
Now that you’ve livened up your decor and set the mood for your eco-friendly Diwali party, it’s time to bring out the trump card: the zero-waste playing cards, of course.
Made of FSC certified paper, these sustainable playing cards by Bare Necessities will make sure you have tonnes of fun, but without the guilt of contributing to a landfill playing on your mind, which is where most playing cards made of plastic end up.
Making them even more quirky are the fun and insightful illustrations on each card.
Longpi Cocktail/Wine Glasses by Code Sustain
Diwali calls for bringing out that cabernet sauvignon you’ve been saving for special occasions. And what better companion to drink it in than these Longpi wine glasses by Code Sustain?
As opposed to the regular wine glass, these clay-made glasses make for unusual barware that are also quite hard to break — making them perfect for your drunken Diwali plans.
Made of serpentine rock, which has been weathered to a smooth texture, this 4-piece set will serve to invoke an earthy spirit for your eco-friendly Diwali party.
Eco-Friendly Recycled Paper Coasters by Big Small
Made of upcycled newspapers, these eco-friendly paper coasters by Big Small reduce waste at your eco-friendly Diwali party, and add a touch of creative quirk to your decor.
The 6-piece set will also serve as a great gift for loved ones who are looking to follow your example and host eco-friendly Diwali parties of their own.
North African Urban Jungle Placemats by Shaakh
Your dining table on the day of your Diwali party is more than just a piece of furniture. It’s the conduit for conversations, bonding, emergency family meetings before the party, but most importantly, the place where you and your guests will probably go up a pant size or two as you shovel in the creamy butter chicken before it all runs out.
And as things are bound to get messy, these urban jungle placemats by Shaakh will help. Made of highly compressed MDF wood with digital printing, their unique design will serve you with a visual treat to match the zaayka on your tongue.
Gift Coconut Shell Planter/Tea Light Candle Holder by One Earth
After making the effort of planning your entire party sustainably, it only makes sense to gift your guests an eco-friendly Diwali gift. We recommend these upcycled coconut shell planters by One Earth .
These planters aren’t just cutting down on the wastage produced by burning coconut shells, but they also double as tea-light candle holders so your guests can change it up if they like. And by gifting your guests planters, you’ll be skipping on wrapping paper, which is always a plus in our books.