DIWALI

RSVP – the season is here!

Stationery is a key component of many events and functions

From the invitation to the table plan, the menu and the certificates (if an awards function) are all done on printers, on paper and with ink. The “party season” is upon us and many people are happy to again be organising and hosting bigger events – so be sure to pitch to that market!

It is a very competitive space with hosts and hostesses aiming for the top position in terms of the guest experience, the originality of the design and the vibe that was created pre-event. People have missed celebrating together and we already see diaries filling up with invitations. And the habit of using WhatsApp for invitations is luckily no longer the preferred way of ensuring that you get good numbers at your event.

Organising a year-end-function

A year-end function is a must for companies wanting to reward their employees for their achievements during the year, to say thank you and to show that they are valued and appreciated. Below are some tips to ensure that you have everything you need for a smooth event: Start early! It takes time to organise the perfect event. The end of the year is a very busy time of the year and suppliers get booked up rapidly. Set a date, a budget and your guest list. Once that’s done, you can book the venue, the catering and the flowers.

Decide on a theme and the décor.

We may live in a digital world, but there is nothing nicer than receiving a beautiful, hand-made invitation that speaks to the theme. Include the date, time and venue. Hand-delivering them to your employees at the office is a nice touch.

Print table numbers with your company logo.

Print a large seating chart that lists employees’ names in alphabetical order with the table number next to their name. Stand it at the entrance of the venue. Everyone loves a gift of appreciation. It can be beautifully wrapped with the employee’s name card attached and can form part of the décor on the table. An event schedule is important to keep things running on time. For example: what time the speeches are and when food will be served. Make sure you have a few printed copies for those involved. Ice breakers are fun to help people relax. For example, a “Guess who?” game for people to identify and write down the employee described on a sheet provided can be great fun. Recognise top performers in each category with beautifully printed certificates. Entertainment is what makes an event truly memorable. A DJ is a good idea if you going to have dancing. Provide paper for people to write down song requests. A photo booth is also an excellent way to create memories. Choose one that gives you immediate prints on high quality paper. You can also add your logo to the printout.

Finally, pat yourself on the back for a job well done – and ENJOY!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Kathleen Shannon from POP THE CHAMPAGNE EVENTS

Diwali home-made lanterns

Materials Required to Make a Lantern

- Yellow paper - Sketch pen - Pencil - Scissors - Glue

Options: glitter, glue pens, sequins, gems, metallic paints, ribbons

• Take a red sheet of paper. Size can be A4 for a small lantern. • Fold this sheet into half vertically.

Cut these two sheets and keep aside. • Next, take one sheet of red paper horizontally and divide it vertically into equal stripes of around 1cm each. • Leave a border of 1cm on all 4 sides. • Next, fold this sheet into half horizontally. • Cut these stripes vertically with scissors and leave the 4 borders uncut. • Once you cut the stripes keep it aside. • Next, take the second red sheet of paper and encircle it to form a cylinder. • Cut around 3cm from the bottom of this sheet horizontally and then roll this sheet to form a cylinder. • Next, wrap the striped sheet of paper around this cylinder and stick the upper and lower borders on this cylinder. Your lantern is now ready. • Once done, cut two strips using a yellow sheet of paper around 1cm in width. • Stick these around the upper and lower borders of the lantern. • Next, cut a thick strip of yellow paper around 2cm wide and stick it on top of the lantern as the handle. • Adorn your living rooms and windows with this beautiful paper lantern and celebrate this Diwali with your loved ones.

Diwali

Why is Deepavali or Diwali celebrated and what is its significance?

This year Diwali will be celebrated on 24 October, Diwali is held on 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar and celebrates the festival of lights, the celebration lasts for five days.

Diwali, the festival of lights, marks the time when millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world celebrate the triumph of good over evil with beautiful rituals such as festive lights, fireworks, sweet delicacies and family gatherings.

The word 'Deepawali' means “row of lighted lamps” and comes from Sanskrit. During Diwali, followers worship the Lord Ganesha for welfare and prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wisdom.

During this time, houses and businesses are adorned with lights and are tidies and made to look beautiful. For many, Diwali is a time of renewal and rebirth, each day during the celebrations is accompanied by different rituals and traditions. Each of the five days encompass a special thought or ideal, to uplift and enrich their lives.

The first day of Diwali: Dhanteras

The first day of Diwali is called Dhan Theras. The Word ‘Dhanteras’ originated from the Sanskrit terms ‘Dhan’ and ‘Teras’. Dhan means wealth; Teras is the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha of the Hindu Calendar month of Kartik. This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus should bathe and offer a lighted deeya with Prasad (sweets offered at worship time) to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death and pray for protection from untimely death.

The second day of Diwali: Choti Diwali

The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. On this day, one should massage the body with oil to relieve it of tiredness, bathe and rest so that Diwali can be celebrated with vigour and devotion.

The third day of Diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

The fourth day of Diwali: Padwa & Govardhan Puja

On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhan Pooja. From then on, every year Hindus worship . Govardhan to honour that first Pooja done by the people of Vraja.

The fifth day of Diwali: Bhai Duj

The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhai teeka. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja. It is a day dedicated to sisters. Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare, and sisters prepare sweets as a mark of love for their brothers.

“Deepavalee mubarak ho”, meaning “Happy Diwali”.

Amavasya Tithi – Begins 05:27 PM on October 24, 2022, and ends at 04:18 on October 25, 2021

Day 1 – October 21, 2022, Friday Ekadashi Day 2 – October 22, 2022, Saturday Dwadashi Day 3 – October 23, 2022, Sunday Trayodashi Day 4 – October 24, 2022, Monday Chaturdashi Day 5 – October 25, 2022, Tuesday Amavasya Day 6 – October 26, 2022, Wednesday Bhai Dooj

Diwali Recipe

As a firm favourite, we suggest trying out this recipe. This is absolutely delicious for those with a sweet tooth!

Gulab Jamun (Goolab Jamoon) Indian Sweets Recipe

Ingredients

625ml of flour 5ml of cardamom (elachi) powder 60ml of ghee 12½ teaspoons of baking powder 50ml semolina 1 tin of condensed milk Ghee for deep frying

Ingredients for syrup

500ml of water 250g of sugar 5ml of rose essence

Method

Sift all the dry ingredients together. Add in the ghee and mix well until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Gradually stir in the milk to form a soft dough. Roll the dough into many elongated finger-like shapes or balls. Deep fry in ghee until golden brown in colour. Place directly into syrup for a few minutes. Drain onto a wire rack.

Optional: Roll the gulab jamoon’s into dessicated coconut or sugar.

Method for syrup

Boil the water and sugar together until a sticky consistency is reached. Stir in the rose essence and keep the syrup warm.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Wikipedia