Festivals and Shopping

We are on the threshold of shopping season and I hope everyone is geared up for it. I know two wonderful women that start putting away just 2500 rupees from May onwards and by the time they hit October, they have an awesome booty of Rs. 12,500 from practically nowhere. That tuck is kept for Durga Puja, Dussehra and little bit of winter wasting! Diwali sees it own extravagance and that can be discussed later but the deals that are springing up now are a treat in itself. Brands and products start the wooing process earlier every year, ever since we saw the advent of globalization, 365 days of the year didn’t seem enough for shopping. Markets and stores were flooded with foods, apparel, kitchenware and everything else that’s worth buying, seasonal specials didn’t happen in December like the west, they happened all the way from September till November. For a nation in perpetual inflation, we certainly had a penchant for waste. Maybe that’s not entirely fair; some of us keep genuine requirements for this time of the year. But I do know of one soul that has already ordered a suspicious 1 GB MP3 player, which I keep calling IPod, but then at $20, I know I am absolutely wrong! Followed by a home décor set which comprised of mismatched block print bed linen that I wouldn’t even use in a $10 bed and breakfast. These trends make me think that this time of the year actually causes a kind of ‘shopping’ fever that few can control. Every morning the newspaper greets you with endless offers, sales and steals, they all seem over the top and that’s when I wonder, if the damn thing is priced this cheap then why did we pay all a premium the whole year through?



All this ranting is in lieu of the first day of ‘Navratri’ which is today, the 30th of September 2008. Today start the nine holy days that Hindu’s observe twice a year. Personally, it is the latter halves Navratri days that I prefer the most, they lead up to the opulence of Diwali, the sensation of complete health, wealth and well being. The weather too starts changing, leaves fall and fresh ones erupt, the sun sets earlier than usual and there is a certain nip in the air, that is so very welcome after months of sweltering Indian heat. These days bring on a sense of oneness with God and nature, it is no wonder that shoppers step out in throngs.



This is the time to redecorate the house if you have been meaning to do it; this Dussehra and Diwali month dedicate your space to color and light. As a budget option, pick corners of your house that need perking up and work on those areas only. After you have decided on the nook you want to change, think of the colors that you associate with this season, for me it’s always red and gold, a nice matte bronze like gold. Now set a budget, keep in mind the fact the season lasts almost 2 months and is followed by another month of partying, Christmas and New Years, so your theme corner will stay symbolic for longer than you think. Now to the fun part – scrapbooking. Making scrapbooks is not just for kids, it can be amazing grown up fun. Take a thick cover sketch book, glue stick, markers, sketch pens and your imagination. Now think of all the lovely knick knacks you saw in last month’s magazine or that perfect table arrangement showcased in ‘Cosmo’ or even the table cloth you know Westside has. Wherever you find inspiration try and take a piece of that, a digital picture (my friend still uses her Polaroid), a magazine cutting, a newspaper article and add it to you scrapbook cuttings. I usually divide my scrapbook into sections like bedroom, kid’s room, living room, kitchen etc. so I know exactly where each cutting belongs and once I am on my shopping sojourns I can spot what I want immediately. I use family pictures, cloth swatches, movie stubs, chocolate wrappers in my scrapbook too, so it’s more of a memoir and chronicle than a personal shopping wishlist. The latest corner I made was near my fish tank, I used 3 votive candles (raspberry red), a red glass lantern with a flower and vine pattern painted on it, a beautiful piece of white stone, an incense holder and a tall metal vase in matte red, in which I keep gold painted reeds. That is my festive corner and I hope I have inspired you to make one too. Do this for all seasons, it refreshes the house and it feels good to have something brand new set up for celebration. Watch this space for Holi ideas next!