31 Heartfelt Ways to Celebrate Diwali 2023 with a Purpose

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is just around the corner, and our homes are not just clean but infused with the aroma of mouth-watering sweets and snacks. We're adorned in new clothes, our plans with friends are set, and we're armed with a cache of 'Happy Diwali’s' for every familiar face we encounter. Yet, this year, let's infuse our celebrations with a touch of purpose.

This vibrant festival is more than just lighting lamps; it's a time of joy, reflection, and celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Beyond the festivities, Diwali calls for spreading the light of hope and happiness to those in need. And there are numerous non-traditional ways to do just that!

This year, let's embark on a journey to make our Diwali celebrations more meaningful by embracing the true essence of the festival. Here are 31 unique ways to celebrate Diwali with a spirit of generosity, giving, and selflessness - most of which cost nothing but a piece of your kindness.

Celebrating Diwali with family? Make it extra special!

1. Foster a sense of love and appreciation within your family by engaging in a heartfelt exchange of compliments, ensuring that each member feels valued and cherished.
2. Upgrading appliances? Donate the old ones to someone who needs them.
3. While you share festive treats, don’t forget those who work tirelessly to make your life easier—house help, watchman, driver—include them all.
4. Buy your diyas from a local artisan and support their small businesses.
5. Educate your children about the importance of a green and safe Diwali.
6. Amplify the true spirit of Diwali by donating to a local government school.
7. Create and paint diyas with your children and donate them to the needy. Working with clay and paint can’t be more fun than this!
8. Light and distribute solar-charged diyas and lanterns for a change. Yes, they exist!
9. Donate care kits, including toiletries and cooking essentials, with added Diwali goodies, and instill gratitude and generosity in your children.
10. While we celebrate Diwali, our furry friends suffer. Team up with your child and spread the word about keeping stray animals in your neighbourhood safe and unharmed.

Celebrating alone this year? It can still be a Happy Diwali!

1. Use technology to fill the gaps. Facetime your family and friends to tell them how much you appreciate them. A surprise gift at their door does no harm!
2. Host a Diwali donation drive for your neighborhood. Collect everything, including clothes, shoes, and books, and spread the word of generosity.
3. Visit an orphanage to donate all the collections with added sweets and diyas because Diwali is brighter with children smiling.
4. Sponsor a holiday feast for the homeless.
5. Sponsor a child's education from the comfort of your own home through online fundraisers. It takes less than a minute!
6. Donate to a charity of your choice. Environment, Education, Women’s Empowerment— it’s all your choice!
7. Worried about the rising AQI levels in your city? Spread awareness through social media and start a movement.
8. Avoid bursting crackers; burst myths around them instead.
9. Request your neighbourhood to follow safety protocols.
10. Take measures to keep community gardens and stray animals in the neighbourhood safe.
11. Don’t forget to treat yourself to your favourite meal because you deserve it!

Wait, there’s more to Diwali than just celebrating it. What about the aftermath?

1. Do you see all the litter that swarms the roads after Diwali? Take charge and start a cleanup drive with your friends, family, and neighbourhood.
2. Pollution rises to dangerous levels during Diwali. Make it a community event and plant as many trees as you can!
3. Check up on your community gardens.
4. Share some love with the stray furry friends.
5. It’s the start of a new year! Start a new habit.
6. Reflect on all the kindness you performed during Diwali and catch up on the progress consistently.
7. Winter is near! Donate warm clothes and blankets as a post-Diwali gift.
8. Switch to a more Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle mindset.
9. Share and inspire with your experience!
10. Pledge to be kinder and more environment-conscious in the coming year!

These ways, as non-traditional, are an extension of the true essence of Diwali. As millions of us prepare to celebrate Diwali 2023, let's remember that each culture has its own beautiful way of doing so. As India illuminates with bright lights, let's be a bit kinder, more giving, and a little more selfless this year.

The Giving for Good Team wishes you and your loved ones a profoundly prosperous and Happy Diwali!