Low-budget pre-diwali bashes guarantee fun

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A group of girls enjoy a bash; (below left) Deepika with her dogs. She has organised a party for her pets

Don’t despair if you think fun parties involve champagne and strawberries. With Diwali nearing, many youngsters are enjoying themselves despite limited pocket-money. They are planning “low-budget pre-Diwali bashes” with friends, without hurting their wallet. From homemade hookahs to rooftop buffets, teens are thinking of innovative ideas to party hard.
Sanya Batra, a party freak, has already made plans for a sparkling Diwali. “Firstly, we are having a dandiya party organised by our school on the eve of Diwali. After that, there’s a party at my friend’s place, which is basically a pre-planned ‘go dutch’ affair. As we are around 15 to 20 people, each one has contributed around `200 for the bash. Besides pizzas and mocktails, we are also planning to prepare flavoured hookahs like apple and strawberry at home, as it’s a traditional ritual for our party,” she says with a smile.
While some are planning theme-based “rooftop buffet parties” at home, many are creating funky discos. Reveals Shikha Rawat, a media student, “We are having a rooftop party at my place, I’ve invited all my friends and cousins. We will decorate the house with rangoli and candles. With a budget of `5,000 for 10 people, the buffet style dinner will have inexpensive snacks such as cookies, chips and dip along with unlimited rum punch and home-cooked pasta and pizza. And if our budget allows we might also plan a bar-be-que,” she says, adding that they have set 1980s as the dress code.
And Navdeep Singh, a hosteller is setting up a disco in his room for the Diwali bash. “We are planning to get some lava lamps and disco balls on rent, so that we can dance till the wee hours of the morning. We are also planning to watch classic comedies films. As we are five friends, everyone has been asked to get their favourite booze, while we have contributed `500 each for snacks and crackers,” he quips.
Giving card parties and crackers a miss, Karmini Sharma, a college student is planning a day out. She is going to check out various Diwali melas at Surajkund, Dastkari Haat and Dilli Haat in the city. She says, “Partying means being together with friends, so why not go shopping together? As evening is reserved for family rituals, we have planned an economical girls’ day out. We’ll shop and try some delicious ethnic cuisines available at various stalls. As everyone has to pay for themselves, it will be an affordable affair.”
Seconds an anti-cracker and dog lover Deepika Sharma, who is celebrating Diwali by hosting a low-budget party for dogs. She reveals, “Crackers scare dogs, so we’ve planned a quiet gathering for our pets. All my friends are coming over along with their pets. We have set the budget at `3,500 and we’ll be preparing special treats for dogs. And for us, it’s a vegetarian menu sans crackers and booze.” So there you have it. Teens have just organised a party that is not only low-budget but just as exciting, as it is being together that matters not the champagne.