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Is What Makes Your Loved Ones Happiest on Your Festival To-do List?

Amongst the frenzied planning and running around during festivals, are you forgetting the most important thing that your family wants you to do? This blog may just help you what you need to know the most.

It’s festive season and you’ve made a checklist of all the to-do things so that you don’t forget anything lest it becomes a dampener for your celebrations. Um, let us guess what your list would have included. Gifts for everyone, cleaning up the house, new purchases, a list of delicacies to be prepared, the guest list for parties, etc. After all, you would love everything to go smoothly and your loved ones to be very happy. But what if we were to say that you may have missed out on the most important thing to do?

We tried something different this year. We thought a little out of the box and we asked people what they would love to receive as a gift this festive season. And boy! Were we a little amazed at the answers?

This is what people shared. And it’s not always gifts and festivities that people want during festivals. 

Sunita Mehta a 38-year-old homemaker from Mumbai said that she would love to go away for a quiet vacation with her husband instead of spending a noisy Diwali with her extended family this year. On being probed why she would prefer to do that, she shared that she and her husband were unable to spend quality time the whole year and this vacation would be instrumental in renewing her bond with him.

For Kevin Mathew, a 28-year-old software engineer working in Dubai, going home to his family for Christmas and spending time with them is a top priority. “Nothing else makes me and my kids happier. Every time before the trip I call them to ask what they want as gifts and both my 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son say that they want to see me more than anything else,” he admits with moist eyes. 

Amena Sheikh shares a secret too. “My elders have always taught me to prepare multiple delicacies on festivals, clean up the house, and buy new clothes for everyone,” she says. This according to her family is an important element of a celebration. But she realizes that during all these activities, she only ends up neglecting her kids. Though Amena doesn’t deny the customs and traditions, she feels that it would be better if she balances things and spends an equal amount of time with her kids. “The true essence of any festival should be the happiness of everyone in the family and not only mundane customs,” she adds.

Experts also often emphasize the importance of spending time with loved ones during festivals for various reasons, drawing on psychological, social, and cultural perspectives.

We spoke to Julie D’souza a senior psychologist from Bengaluru.

“Spending quality time with loved ones during festivals goes beyond merely following customs and traditions; it’s about actively engaging in meaningful interactions and strengthening personal connections,” she says. According to her, adding a unique touch to the celebrations and creating one’s own traditions by adding personal elements to existing ones makes the experience more intimate and relevant for all the individuals involved.

Tips to tweak your celebrations to make your loved ones feel happier during festivals

Cook and Share a Special Meal:

Prepare a festive meal together as a family. Share the responsibilities of planning, shopping, and cooking, and then savor the meal together. This not only creates a delicious experience but also fosters teamwork and togetherness.

Create Handmade Decorations or Crafts:

Engage in a creative and festive craft activity. Whether it’s making holiday decorations, greeting cards, or DIY gifts, working on a hands-on project together can be a fun and meaningful way to spend quality time. The process of creating something together often leads to shared laughter and a sense of accomplishment.

Organize a Game or Movie Night:

Plan a game night with board games, card games, or video games that everyone enjoys. Alternatively, have a movie marathon featuring festive films or favourites. This provides a relaxed environment for bonding, laughter, and shared entertainment. Consider making it a tradition for each festival.

Volunteer or Give Back as a Group:

Use the festive season as an opportunity to give back to the community. Participate in volunteer activities together, such as serving meals at a local shelter, organising a charity drive, or participating in community events. Doing good together strengthens the sense of shared values and purpose.

Plan a Meaningful Ritual or Tradition:

Create or uphold a meaningful family ritual or tradition that everyone can participate in. This could include lighting candles, sharing personal reflections, or engaging in a specific cultural or religious practice. Rituals provide a sense of continuity and shared identity, making the festival more meaningful.

Take a holiday together:

Planning a vacation together can be a great way to spend quality time with loved ones and take a breather from all the frenzy and stress. 

So this festive season, pause for a moment and think. Amongst your list of to-do things have you added what your loved ones want the most? Your time, and priceless happy moments together.