Potluck
What is Dashain if not about feasting on good food? Various delicacies of meat and other dishes is one of the highlights of this festival. It might be difficult in the current situation – lack of fuel to go about the city and gas to cook food might be worrying you. This is where you can consider holding a potluck supper among your family and friends. Instead of calling your gas dealers again and again and inquiring about when they might be able to provide you one, coordinate and cook a dish each, get together with your buddies, and enjoy it. This will not only save time and energy, but at the moment precious cooking gas as well, and you'll still have a variety of dishes to enjoy.
Barbeque
Yes! There couldn't have been a more ideal time to consider going out on the terrace or your garden, inviting some friends over and enjoying barbequed food. It can be a 'bring your own drinks' kind of get together too, and you can just provide a gathering space. A little different from potluck as it is a little less official and a lot more fun!
Community party
The situation needs to be dealt at a community level and you can make the best of it while it lasts. Potluck and barbeque aside, why not celebrate Dashain with your community members? If the community members agree, you can decide on pitching one thing or the other and organize a community Dashain program. This will be a good time to know your neighbors and maintain goodwill. After all, the past year has taught us well the importance of a good neighborly relationship.
Hiking
Granted it's likely that you won't be excused from home, but consider these facts – the holidays are more this year, there's still fuel shortage, and hiking is way better than waiting on the miles long queue. Dashain is supposed to be about fun and enjoying the victory over evil, not being worried about hundreds of things that pin us down. So let go a little and go for a hike with your friends, or even family members. Doesn't have to be very far and laborious. Just something light so that you can enjoy this pleasant autumn weather.
Indoor games
Go be a kid and play Carom, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Checkers, Chess, Uno, Monopoly and other board games that you might have. If you don't, head to Bhat Bhateni supermarket and get one that you like. They have plenty. Indoor games are underrated for the fun they provide, so why don't you dust the old boards, gather your peeps, and have a whale of a time? It'll be an immediate flashback, and what is Dashain if not a trip to the past?
Fly more kites
Remember the time when Dashain used to be about flying kites? Why not make this year's Dashain more about flying kites than anything else? Also, if you are stocked up on kites, thread, and lattai consider your Dashain taken care of. You don't need cooking gas or petrol to enjoy flying kites. If you know the art of making kites, then maybe you could teach the skill to your younger brothers or sisters and have a great time while doing so. And if you don't, maybe you can find someone, like an uncle or your grandparents, to teach this nostalgic skill.
Play cards
Three decks of cards, and you're good for anything. We aren't necessarily telling you to indulge in shameless gambling, but really, a good game of cards is more than that. There's nothing bad about learning how to play cards and you can even teach your friends a game or two. (The Week is here to your rescue, in that department too.) If not that, maybe you can learn new tricks and impress your loved ones with it. Surprise them.
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