Soon, many homes around the UAE are going to be adorned with marigold garlands, multi-coloured floor art and hundreds of diyas (oil lamps). Warm, welcoming and well-lit is what every household aims for, to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. It’s when the moon wanes and gives way to the darkest night of the month that the diyas are placed to light up the night.
If you’re hoping to one-up your efforts from last year, stay awhile and see what other families are doing, for some quick inspiration. With nearly two weeks to go, now’s the perfect time to buckle down on your annual Diwali shopping list.
“I always tell people to start shopping at least the week before, so that you’re able to remember all the things you need. It’s a once-in-a-year festival, after all,” advised Ritu Gupta, an Indian expat and entrepreneur living in Ajman, who’s been observing Diwali in the UAE for the past 14 years.
For the five-day celebrations ahead, there’s a lot to consider. You have the lights, décor and sweets, but also new household items to mark the special occasion. Deepa Jaisingh, a Dubai-based Indian expat of 10 years and a lifestyle and fashion blogger, usually picks up her last-minute Diwali items on Amazon.
Having been a Prime member for three years, Jaisingh finds the platform convenient and reliable: “I actually go out to shop because I like to see things in person, but if I miss anything, I just go to Amazon”, where “you can exchange and return things easily”. Avail yourself of free, next-day delivery with Prime, on some of the items below.
1. Best Cleaning Equipment: Xiaomi Mi G9 Plus
Pros
- Attractive all-white design
- Vacuums and mops, with a removable dust cup
- Various attachments cater to mattresses, sofa crevices, keyboards and more
Cons
- Some reviewers report back battery issues
Since Diwali preparations usually kick off with a deep clean of the house, think of any appliances you might need to get the job done. Jaisingh says it’s imperative that her home appears “as new as possible” a few days ahead of the festival, for luck and prosperity. This is also a good time to discard or recycle the old and bring in the new. Jaisingh uses a small, handy vacuum cleaner with powerful suction to hoover crevices easily, followed by a mop. Invest in an appliance that's lightweight and effective, like the Xiaomi Mi G9 Plus stick vacuum cleaner. Its high suction power easily sucks up fine dust, crumbs, pet hair and other dirt on the floor. If you prefer, you can convert it into a handheld vacuum, as well, to clear up dirt from sofas and hard-to-reach corners. There’s a dedicated attachment for mattresses, designed to eliminate mites and extract pet hair.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh45.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh35 and two years for Dh49.
2. Best Bed Sheet Set: 7 Stars Bamboo Bed Set
In with the new, says Jaisingh, who even shops for a fresh set of bedsheets every Diwali. “We try to put out as many new items as we can, depending on the budget. A day or two before Diwali, we also buy new kitchen utensils,” Jaisingh added. You’ve got plenty of options for bedsheets on Amazon, but a particular set wins for the overwhelmingly positive reviews. The 7 Stars’ bamboo bedding consists of two pillowcases, one fitted sheet and a flat sheet. Reviewers love how the hypoallergenic material regulates body temperature and continues to retain its silky texture even after multiple washes.
3. Best Cookware: Tefal Super Cook Non-Stick 12 Pcs Cooking Set, Black
For Gupta, utensils typically include a new teapot or a cooking pot. We found a 12-piece set by Tefal, all six pots and pans coated with a non-stick layer inside and out. They carry Tefal’s iconic thermos spot in the centre, which turns red to signal the ideal temperature for cooking. See through your Diwali dishes in these, from paneer and chole (chickpea gravy) to aloo ki sabji (potato curry).
4. Best Oil Lamps: Welburn Veda&Co Pure Unscented Cow Ghee Diya
Now, on to the core motif of Diwali – stock up on lights, lights and more lights. Both Jaisingh and Gupta make sure their main doors and balconies (as well as spaces around the house) are brimming with clay diyas and its electric substitutes. The number of oil lamps will depend on the area you’re working with, but Jaisingh says she buys over 100 diyas to deck out her apartment. Welburn Veda&Co has a 30-piece clay diya set, complete with a smoke-free and unscented cow ghee blend, and cotton wicks. Authentic earthen lamps can get expensive, so bring home a set reserved for special Diwali ceremonies.
5. Best Tea Lights: Wilrigir LED Remote Tea Lights with Timer, 12-Pack
With children around, an alternative to clay diyas – which are traditionally lit in mustard oil or desi ghee – can be electric tea candles. “We bought them last year. They’re very handy; you can use them as much as you want, but do note that these lights won’t survive for long,” said Jaisingh. Go for a remote-controlled pack of 12 by Wilrigir, to light the candles up with the touch of a button. The batteries last for over 150 hours, enough to last you throughout the festival period. Reviews say these LED candles give off a realistic amber glow.
6. Best Value Tea Lights: Battery Operated LED Tea Lights, 100-Pack
Another economical option is a 100-pack set by Tappovaly, though these come without a remote control and burn a cooler shade of white light. Users mention how these flicker like real candles, lasting for weeks.
7. Best String Lights: Homemory Battery Fairy Lights, 4-Pack (Warm White, 20ft)
Another popular, versatile décor is string lights, with which, you can dress the entrance and the balcony. “We install small string lights outside the house, so that it looks like we’re celebrating Diwali. Light up the house as much as you can,” said Jaisingh. Add Homemory warm fairy lights to your cart, which come in a pack of four. Each 20-foot copper string is connected to a battery box, with its own remote control.
8. Best Door Decoration: Diyana Impex Marigold Garland
When it comes to the main door, you most likely have intricate bandarwal or garlands in mind. Jaisingh personally opts for marigolds and roses, with the former’s petals woven in between mango tree leaves. While ideally, fresh flowers are bought, if circumstances don’t allow, there are always faux marigold garlands available online. Check out our pick of five-foot-long garland strings, with two complimentary diyas by Diyana Impex. Diwali observers attest to the quality of the pair in the reviews, mentioning how lovely they look hung on either side of the door.
9. Best Floor Decoration: Decorative Buckets Rangoli Floor Decorations, Set of 5 Tea Lights
Gupta adds a further splash of colour with rangoli (patterned floor art) in the corridor. Switch it up with designer rangoli by Decorative Buckets, handmade from wood and fabric, complete with embedded stones. The floor decoration holds five tea lights, including one within the floral centrepiece.
10. Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom 3-Wick Candle
Perfume the house with scented candles, which rank high on Gupta’s shopping list. She gravitates towards light scents, like rose and cherry blossom, both by Bath And Body Works. The brand’s Japanese cherry blossom candle is infused with essential oils, mimosa petals and cedarwood, and burns with three wicks in this 14.5-ounce jar.
Main day celebrations last late into the night, with sweets, like gulab jamun, patisa and kheer, making rounds among guests, friends and neighbours. Browse both sweet and savoury snacks here, for more variety on the Diwali table.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
