Not OP but I have toddlers and love these suggestions! I really want to prioritize Indian celebrations as they grow up - take a day or two off work so we can prepare for Puja in a relaxed manner. And spend a couple weekends before doing holiday-related arts and crafts to make those special memories.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the PP with the list of 10 things, in this day and age why would you want to advertise your religion on your front door? No way would I hang or put any religious symbols on my front door or porch.

A few years ago, there was this gang from New York that Targeted Indian homes and stole things - the give away was the religious decorations outside the home.

You should seek treatment for your anxiety.

And you for your OCD.

Not sure you understand what OCD means:

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which a person feels the need to perform certain routines repeatedly (called "compulsions"), or has certain thoughts repeatedly (called "obsessions").

Lotte was selling packets of mango leaves, if anyone is interested in making torans for the doorways.

Anonymous wrote:http://narmadawinery.com/

They have an annual Diwali event. Check Sulekha.com for other events.

I am betting you are a North Indian!

In the best tradition of Diwali gambling in a Punjabi household

Kids -
Family Bingo Night.
Play Monopoly
Card games.

Parents -
Buy Lottery and scratch-offs
Poker night
Online slot machines.

Anonymous wrote:To the PP with the list of 10 things, in this day and age why would you want to advertise your religion on your front door? No way would I hang or put any religious symbols on my front door or porch.

A few years ago, there was this gang from New York that Targeted Indian homes and stole things - the give away was the religious decorations outside the home.

You do realize that this was a thread for fun Diwali activities for kids?

Don't worry, we no longer keep 24 K gold jewelry in our house in atta dabbas. Everything is pure fake in the best tradition of Art Karat. I am actually quite comfortable advertising my religion because I live in Montgomery County, Maryland, and in one of the most diverse places in US. Which means that that this October started with Navarathri, visiting Golus, Durga Pooja and will continue with Karva Chauth, Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj. You know what? We celebrate it all, with other Indians and our neighbors from all over US and the world, because it is all about the FOOD. Of course then there will be Halloween and next month we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with Tandoori Turkey. But frankly, my hippie-dippie American neighbors, who are originally from Penselvania and Texas...love Holi because of all the colors and because we hand out bhang-infused edibles to them, in the name of prashaad.

- pp with the 10 things wallah list!!
Chill!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the PP with the list of 10 things, in this day and age why would you want to advertise your religion on your front door? No way would I hang or put any religious symbols on my front door or porch.

A few years ago, there was this gang from New York that Targeted Indian homes and stole things - the give away was the religious decorations outside the home.

You should seek treatment for your anxiety.

And you for your OCD.

SSVT temple in Lanham has a fireworks display that Saturday evening.

Anonymous wrote:To the PP with the list of 10 things, in this day and age why would you want to advertise your religion on your front door? No way would I hang or put any religious symbols on my front door or porch.

A few years ago, there was this gang from New York that Targeted Indian homes and stole things - the give away was the religious decorations outside the home.

You should seek treatment for your anxiety.

As to the OP's question -

Sparklers are always a hit with the kids. If you are good friends with neighbors, call the neigborhood kids over and do some sparklers on Sunday.

Put LED tealights inside your home to make it festive.
Dress up, go to temple.
SBAT also has sparklers at night so you may want to check that out.
Watch an Indian movie with friends.

To the PP with the list of 10 things, in this day and age why would you want to advertise your religion on your front door? No way would I hang or put any religious symbols on my front door or porch.

A few years ago, there was this gang from New York that Targeted Indian homes and stole things - the give away was the religious decorations outside the home.

http://narmadawinery.com/

They have an annual Diwali event. Check Sulekha.com for other events.

We do a massive deep-cleaning before the festival (undergoing right now) of the house and yard.
- Kids help to make the diwali packages (box of sweets, diyas, sparklers in gift bags) and we go to our friends himes to drop it off
- Decorate outside with string of lights
- Make rangoli with the help of the kids
- Decorate the pooja thali and the prayer room
- Light candles and lights all over the house
- Sit and do a nice pooja
- Light Sparklers outside.

For kids -
1)With a few friends. tell them the story of Ramayan or have a puppet show.
2) Paint and decorate diyas, pooja thalis or even decoupage some tree ornaments with Diwali or Hindi religious pictures (No swastk please, the Nazis messed that for us in countries outside of India), and hang it on a tree in the yard.
3) Make Rangolis with colored chalk.
4) Carve a pumpkin with an Om Symbol and light a candle inside it
5) Make a fall wreathe and hang it outside with some Hindu symbols - om, kalasg etc
6) Make door hangings with Diwali themed items/
7) Have a bonfire,
8) Light sparklers
9) Wear Indian clothes. Takes loads of pictures. Put it on social media.
10) Make easy Indian sweets - microwave barfis and also make smores on the bonfire.

When is Diwali?

Any ideas?