Green Diwali, Happy Diwali

The festival of lights can be a blast even without the choking smoke of firecrackers or those sugar-loaded sweet boxes. An eco-friendly mom blogger explains how you can introduce your kids to awesome celebration ideas that don’t harm mother nature. by PRATIBHA PAL

- Pratibha Pal

I DON’T RECOLLECT the last time I celebrated Diwali with firecrackers as a child and fortunately, my kids also never developed a liking for them. They have stayed away from noisy celebrations all the more because we made a conscious effort to show them how it affects animals and the environment as well. But that hasn’t taken the fun quotient away from their Diwali. I have always tried to connect my children to the true spirit of the festival in ways, that allow them to flex their creative muscles and help them grow up as environment-conscious adults. Trust me, they have enjoyed every Diwali of their life so far.

Introducing your little ones to an eco-friendly celebration doesn’t have to be a long boring lecture. Simply involve them at the preparatory stage of the festival and it will work wonders, as it did for me. Here are some fun, green ideas that you and your kids can put to practice. Together. 

buy and paint clay diyas together

They not only promote a livelihood for a local artisan, but also decompose easily in comparison to the string of lights or tin candles. Go diya shopping together—let your kids choose them and then paint the diyas in vibrant colours. You can make the biggest one the centre piece of your table decor. Your budding craftsman can flaunt it to his friends and cousins who visit during the festivities.

make votives on your own