The fine art of what not to do as a Diwali host

Hosting a Diwali party sounds like a dream until the flowers arrive in the wrong shade, the cocktails are running late, and your carefully curated evening starts coming undone. A good party is knowing what not to do.

How do you set a table without making it look too over the top? When should the music pick up and how to get the guests who don’t know each other talking? Is there a thing as overdoing decor, and is another beautifully wrapped gift the best way to go?

Who better to tell you than the people who spend their days thinking about how we dress, eat, and entertain? We’ve got designers, tastemakers, and industry insiders weighing in on the hosting faux pas they’ve encountered and the little things that can make or break a Diwali gathering.

Akshita Garud

Founder, Two Odd

I think we should move away from butter sculptures and instead focus on intentional decor. It can be as simple as asking “Why am I setting the table like this?” or “Why am I using this material?”. This approach helps structure a cohesive story rather than just mindlessly copying ideas from Pinterest. For an unexpected detail that elevates the table, I love using food as props, such as making chilli trains or using fruits as vases, etc.

Manish Malhotra

Designer

Trying to make everything look picture-perfect is overrated. I love beautiful decor, but I think it’s important to retain the essence of your home and let your personality come through. A party should never feel like a photo shoot. I’d say splurge on good food and great music! Those are two things people always remember.

At my Diwali parties I take my centre-table decor very seriously. I love a good grazing table but decorated with fresh flowers, candles, and lovely dinnerware. But, however glamorous the table looks, it should still have the warmth and personality of your home. The secret is to enjoy your own party. When the host is having a good time, everyone else does too!

Gursi Singh and Amrita Khanna

Founders, Lovebirds

The biggest mistake hosts make with their music is playing music that’s too loud, too early, or trying too hard to be cool. The music should bring people together, not compete with the party. The secret is in progression. Start with music people can talk over—definitely old-school Indian —and build the energy as the evening unfolds and then throw in a few unexpected tracks that get everyone excited.

Also, don’t overthink it! If everything feels too choreographed, people can become conscious of whether they’re having a good time rather than actually having one. Make it real and warm—great food, good music, interesting people, and a host who’s relaxed enough to enjoy their own party.

Diet Sabya

People get really caught up in things like the right colour, the right trend. I feel they should just have fun and experiment; don’t copy-paste looks. If somebody is doing sexy, you don’t have to be sexy. Just do whatever you want. The idea is to have fun, to enjoy, to sort of give out a vibe. Do chipku hair or do a big blow-dry. Just enjoy.

Malini Malik

Co-founder, General Items

Don’t buy gifts simply for the sake of giving gifts. Unless you know the person really well, never gift someone jewellery or clothes. These are things someone has to wear, and I wouldn’t gift something that doesn’t align with their personal style.

I think experiences make wonderful gifts. If you come across something lovely, whether you’re travelling or browsing a store, pick it up and keep it aside. You never know when you’ll need a gift. I’d also like to bring back the old-school gifts. Our grandparents would often give us money in an envelope. As I’ve grown older I’ve realised that it is a lovely gift; it gives people the freedom to buy something they genuinely want.

Eeshaan Kashyap

Founder, Tablescape by Eeshaan

Never make the table overly stiff and formal. Make it fun, personal, friendly, and happy. The host should prepare everything beforehand rather than spend the entire party running around. Create different food stations instead of cluttering one table—have grazing tables or divide the main dining table into different sections. It prevents everyone from crowding around one table. People tend to arrive at different times, so the food should always be flowing.

For me, food should really be the focus. Bring out different recipes, involve different people in preparing the food, and make that part of the celebration.

Beautiful candle stands immediately glamorise and elevate any dinner table or setting. I’ve also been obsessed with oversized platters lately. They work beautifully for serving food and drinks. You can place them on a couch or a table and arrange your drinks and food on them. It’s almost like having a movable table with you.

Whether you’re working with flowers, sculptures or installations, elevation is a trick that always works. Start with maximum height at the centre of the table and gradually reduce it towards the ends.

Anurag Arora

Product designer

I think people sometimes treat Diwali like any other house party, when you actually have a rich visual language to play with—genda phool, diyas, brass, colour, textiles. Why not have a little fun with them? Mix things up and give it your own spin rather than defaulting to the usual party decor.

I love how versatile genda phool are. You can use them in a traditional way or do something completely unexpected. Make a ceiling installation, use them generously on the dining table, mix them with other flowers, or even create a little floral moment at the entrance. More is more when it comes to genda!

Design around how you want people to feel, not just how you want things to look. The biggest no-no is treating every element as a statement piece. If the flowers are dramatic, let the tableware be quieter. If you’re going big on colour, give the eye somewhere to rest. I’m a big believer in contrast and a little bit of imperfection. Everything doesn’t need to match, and a space should not look like it was bought on one trip to a decor store or copied off Pinterest.

I’d also perhaps skip using the string light indoors. Most options we have available don’t look that good indoors. And always do as much as you can beforehand. As a host, your job is to be present with your guests, not to be running around fixing things all evening.

Aditi Dugar

Co-founder & director of Urban Gourmet India

I think people sometimes get carried away with the planning and accidentally turn a Diwali celebration into a mini wedding reception. Diwali is really about getting together with your favourite people, eating your favourite festive food, and having a good time. I wouldn't want to spend the entire evening in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying themselves. Keep the menu simple, delicious, and easy to eat. My rule is simple—one hand for the glass, one hand for the bite. Small plates, interesting Indian snacks, and familiar flavours with a little twist work really well.

You don't need a complicated menu or dishes that require everyone to sit down with a knife and fork. Also, one must be able to enjoy their own party. I'd love to see more Indian-inspired cheese grazing stations at Diwali parties. I love the idea of a big wooden board with Indian cheeses taking centre stage—think podi cheddar, methi masala cheese, artisanal crackers, chutneys, and lots of interesting accompaniments.

I would dress the table with marigolds, rajnigandha, and jasmine and make a bit of a feature out of it. It's something a little different from the usual Diwali spread, and I love bringing Indian flavours into unexpected formats. Plus, it's something guests can keep grazing on throughout the evening.