Part of corporate life, however seemingly small, is the celebration of holidays — not just to honour the occasion but, more importantly, to give everyone at the office or workplace a break from the daily grind. If you happen to be in charge of organizing an event like the Diwali, don’t fret, as there are countless ways of celebrating this significant annual special holiday.
And, even if it seems that Diwali is still weeks or even months away, it’s never too early to plan a perfect party. In fact, having sufficient lead time is always best; so, read on and get ready for a fantastic festival of lights!
Delightful Diwali
For five straight days, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains all over the world make sure to observe the Diwali festival. Coinciding with the Hindu New Year, it is a time dedicated to celebrating new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil, and the victory of light over darkness.
To commemorate this special day, families and friends make time to come together to spread happiness and cheer. This auspicious event is marked with prayers and celebratory get-togethers, often with spectacular fireworks displays. Normally, houses are decorated in colourful fashion, with lights everywhere, favourite dishes on the table, and gifts to share with one another.
While Diwali is typically a family affair, it can also be corporate event, especially for those businesses that consider their workforce as family. Most times, it is a chance for the company to express their gratitude and appreciation for their employees. It is also a good opportunity to promote good relationships and camaraderie in the office.
Here are some top tips that you can refer to when planning an amazing Diwali party at the office:
1. Work with a Budget
To start off, you must secure a budget. You need to know how much funding you have to work with so you can also decide on other elements of the party. Make sure that you go through the details of the party thoroughly so you can include these in your proposal.
Since Diwali is a fun and festive event, it is so easy to get carried away with the planning. A set budget will help keep you grounded and on track. Allocate a realistic amount for necessities like food and beverages, décor, and other essentials.
If possible, set aside a budget for an event planning company. Investing in getting the services of a reputable event management company will go a long way in ensuring the success of your corporate Diwali event. Aside from getting much of the load off your shoulders, you can also be assured that their experience and expertise will produce stellar results.
2. Choose a Theme
While there are traditional themes to readily go for, you can also think up of new ways to match the corporate values or brand story of your company. For example, if you are a fashion brand, you can come in colourful costumes that best exemplify the Diwali celebration.
You can be as creative as you want. Just remember to have your concept approved by upper management first to ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises come event day.
3. Pick a Venue
It’s all well and good if you have office space where you can hold parties to accommodate everyone in your workplace. However, if you have limited space, then you will need to secure a party venue for the event.
Choose one that can comfortably accommodate all of the attendees. Check if it has all the facilities you will need, such as space for your technical team, the caterers, or maybe even a dressing area for when you have special production numbers.
It will also be preferable if you can choose a venue that is easily accessible to everyone (or most). If it is an out-of-town location, make sure that you also book transportation and, perhaps, even accommodation if needed (and if it has been duly budgeted for).
4. Decide on the Décor
You should also choose décor based on the theme. You can go traditional, modern, or have a mix of both. Other ideas can be Bollywood-inspired, eco-friendly themed, or other fun and unique concepts.
Keep in mind that the theme and décor should be lively and promote a positive mood. You can use different varieties of light – from fairy lights, candles, to smart LEDs – Diwali is the festival of lights, after all. Your party planners may also secure the services of an event stylist to get the place professionally decorated.
5. Prepare a Feast
What’s a party without food? When planning your Diwali fest, make sure that you have enough food to feed everyone. Normally, event planners will suggest at least a 10 percent buffer to ensure that you will not run out of food and drinks during your event.
Diwali food can range from the most traditional to more contemporary dishes. Make sure there is a good balance of sweet and savoury fare. It will be wise to have a supply of hot and cold finger food going around. You can serve a variety of sweetmeats like jalebi, laddu, or pera. You can also serve kebabs, golgappa shots, and even nachos and tarts.
6. Play Music
Make the party livelier with music. You can either rent a DJ or make a playlist that will please most, if not all, of your guests. You can include throwback tunes or the hottest hits.
Most of all, don’t forget to clear some space for a bit of dancing.
7. Gather for Games
Games are also another way to amp up the fun during the party.
You can play parlour games like antakshari, Diwali musical chairs, or tambola. You can also prepare a diya-making, rangoli-designing, or even a dance or costume competition. Whatever it is, make sure you come up with games that will be fun and create laughter and a positive vibe.
8. Light Up some Fireworks
A Diwali celebration will not be complete without some fireworks. You do not need to prepare something that rivals an international fireworks competition, but a nice spray of colourful fireworks can certainly cap off the festivities with flair.
When you have fireworks, ensure that safety measures and precautions are observed.
Light and Bright
Diwali is a time for celebration, whether it is spent with family, friends, or co-workers. When preparing for a Diwali party, it is important to ensure that it will be a joyous occasion, full of fun and laughter.
As an added treat, sending home a small gift or token of appreciation to all guests will also keep the meaning of Diwali alive — to share your gifts to one and all. Light up your corporate life with a meaningful and marvellous Diwali party.