Family get-togethers, new clothes, sweets and special food, religious functions, decorations, fireworks... do these words bring excitement and happiness to you? Or do you react with "Oh forget it, who has time for festivals!" or "it's just another day!"?

When our lives are busy, we are overwhelmed with work and family responsibilities and we just don't seem to have enough time or energy to get through each day! Because of this, some of us may be tempted to just skip the whole idea of celebrating festivals and special times. Perhaps we think that celebrating festivals was all very well for the previous generations who had a lot of time on their hands, but they have no place in today's world.


But celebrations ARE important. Our everyday lives are often a matter of routine and monotony, and celebrations give us a break from the everyday grind. The anticipation of change can brighten up our lives and give us something to look forward to. As we get involved in them we allow ourselves to put aside the stresses of life for a little while, and then get back later to tackle them with renewed energy.

Yes, it is true that we may not be able to celebrate in the same elaborate way as our elders did in years gone by, but the essential nature of celebrations is just as valuable now as it was then. We may need to reinvent and adapt to our current lifestyles, but let's not ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater' as the saying goes.


Celebrations, whether of festivals or other special occasions, are good excuses to get together with family and friends. In our busy lives it is becoming harder than ever to stay in touch with loved ones, but on special occasions we make extra efforts to get together and this is crucial in keeping our relationships strong. As we celebrate we do the things we enjoy with the people we love and those who matter most to us. It's a time to put aside differences or hard feelings and reaffirm and strengthen the ties that bind us.

Most of us have traditions that we love, and as we carry them out they bring back treasured childhood memories. Often it is the simple things - the smell of special delicacies as they are being prepared, the making of home-made decorations, gifts or greeting cards, everyone pitching in and making special treats...Even just seeing your home looking sparkling clean - that can bring the greatest joy!


However festival time is not always unadulterated joy and happiness. Some of us feel stressed at this time because there is so much to do - clothes to be bought, numerous functions and get-togethers to attend, gifts and greetings to be sent, food to be cooked... And of course all of this can be very expensive! There may also be the pressure to compete with the celebrations of friends, neighbours or family members.

How can we make sure that we enjoy the festival and minimize the associated stress? Here are some tips:

1. Start your preparations early: Plan what you want to do and begin to do a little at a time. Most of us have a custom of cleaning out our homes before a festival, and if this is done all at one time it can be extremely tiring.

2. Make a list: Note down all that needs to be done - shopping for clothes, preparing food, buying gifts, decorating etc. See if all these things really need to be on your list. Can you cut down or simplify it a little?

3. Delegate: Get the rest of your family involved in preparations and try to make it fun rather than a burden. It is possible that you may be able to outsource some of the work as well. If it will help you feel more peaceful and calm, it is worth it.

4. Make choices: There are many activities and things that make up the festive celebrations. But trying to do everything can leave you exhausted and irritable. Think about your reason for celebrating, and then pick and choose those activities and things that will add to your joy, create memories, strengthen relationships and add meaning to your life. Then just omit other activities that have become meaningless to you and to your loved ones. This way you will be able to truly enjoy the time and it will be meaningful rather than just going through the motions of doing everything out of a sense of obligation.

5. Keep and create traditions: It is important to follow some traditions and to pass these on to the next generation. These give a sense of continuity and security. You may not be able to keep every single one, but pick a few that you like and follow it along with the family or close friends. And do also start a few traditions of your own - after all, every tradition was started by somebody!

6. Have a budget and stick to it: Impulse-buying is particularly high during festival time, and it is easy to overshoot one's budget with all the offers and sales promotions during this period. When we see others around us spending a lot it is very natural to be tempted to spend. Many people end up with a lot of debts after the festival season and struggle the rest of the year to pay for their indulgence over this period. There are many ways to enjoy yourself without spending a lot, and money really does NOT buy happiness. So do hold back and spend sensibly.

7. Stay healthy: There is usually a lot of rich food available and you may be tempted to overeat or drink too much alcohol, which would have its own repercussions. Of course you will want to eat some of the special food and enjoy yourself. Just make sure that you balance it with some healthy food. Eating some salad or fruit before going for a party might help you cut down a little. Drink plenty of water and fit in some exercise during these times.

8. Spend time with people you love: Sometimes we are so busy doing things for our loved ones that we have no time to spend with them. Keep your priorities right.

9. Set aside time for yourself: Plan some time when you can relax and unwind each day. If not, you will be frazzled and irritable, and will neither enjoy yourself nor promote others' enjoyment. So some 'downtime' is not just a luxury - you need it!

10. Do something for someone else: When we are able to do something good for others who are not in a position to do this for themselves, it can bring great joy to us. There are many people in need. Buying clothes or toys for underprivileged children, visiting the elderly, donating to a cause and inviting a person who is alone to share in your family celebrations are some ways to add meaning and joy to their lives - and yours.

Enjoy your celebrations!