Getting your home festival ready

Published On: October 17, 2018 09:39 AM NPT By: The Week Bureau


Readying your home for the festivities needn’t be an elaborate affair especially since you have hundreds of things to do and very little time to finish them all before relatives start pouring in for tika.

The Week is here to help. Here are a few simple tricks you can use to make you home look all glammed up with minimal effort. 

Get some fresh flowers
We swear by this trick. Just get a bouquet of flowers in pretty colors and a huge vase and you can liven up your living space in just a matter of minutes. You can also add ferns and other leaves to make the bunch of flowers look voluminous. Just make sure you trim the stems and change the water regularly to keep them looking fresh. Place this on a center table with other knickknacks of your choice – we recommend a Ganesha figurine and maybe a candle – and you have a pretty display that looks festive and inviting. 

Put up some string lights 
Oh no, these aren’t only meant for Tihar or Christmas. Use them sparingly and they make good Dashain décor too. You can use them both indoors or outdoors. If you are using them indoors, then choose a corner you want to liven up and just use it in that space. The trick here is to not go overboard with it but use it to make your space look classy and elegant. Also, use warm lights instead of white or colored lights. It can really make your space look cozy and festival ready. 

Add some cushions 
Dashain means guests will be coming over in droves. Sometimes, your seating space might not be enough so invest in some floor cushions that can double as décor (think vibrant covers and throws) and make your space versatile and functional at the same time. If you are up for it, you can also change your sofa cushion covers to match the floor cushions and create a cohesive effect. Or you can also get some pretty throws in soft materials and use them to cover the sofa to liven up your space a little bit more and make it even more inviting. 

Create an interesting display
Dashain is when you will be bringing out all the silverware – from that intricate looking stand to hold tika and jamara to diyos and trays – so make sure you display them in their full glory. Wash and polish them and then create interesting displays at different corners of your living space instead of lumping them all together. We think using silver trays with idols of gods and goddesses and flowers make for a visually pleasing display that can be set up on a side table in your bedroom or living room. 

Change things up
Decorating your space during the festive season shouldn’t just be about pleasing your guests. Since you are the one who will be using that space the most, think what you can do to make it refreshing for you. Sometimes something as simple as moving around the furniture or rotating the showpieces you have on display can breathe new life into your surroundings. If you are feeling particularly courageous, then you can also change your curtains. You don’t even have to spend a fortune in doing this. Simply gather old saris or fabrics and sew your own sheer curtains that will allow in plenty of daylight and look glamorous at nighttime. 

Make food double as décor 
A large part of Dashain is the food we serve and eat. From sweets and cakes to biryani and mutton dishes, there’s a lot that we will have ready to serve our guests. Why not set it up and have it out on display so that you don’t have to rush to the kitchen every single time someone comes home? Fruits and Indian sweets make for good kitchen centerpieces. You can also make a large platter of salads, cheeses, and meats complete with olives and place the colorful looking plate of cold cuts on your dining table. With a pair of candlesticks (with red candles) on either side, this display is sure to catch people’s attention.


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