As a mom raising multicultural kids, the festive season is a whirlwind of colors, traditions, and endless celebrations. In our home, the joy of embracing multiple cultures is a unique blessing that fills our calendar with diverse festivals. From the intricate rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi to the sparkling magic of Christmas, here’s how I prepare to make each celebration special, meaningful, and full of love.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Welcoming the Remover of Obstacles
The festive season kicks off with Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrating Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of beginnings. We start by decorating our home with marigolds, setting up a small Ganesha idol, and preparing sweet modaks. The kids love getting involved, from crafting their own paper Ganeshas to learning the story of how Ganesha got his elephant head. It’s a time of gratitude, setting intentions, and asking for blessings—a theme that runs through all our celebrations.
Navratri: Celebrating the Divine Feminine
Navratri is a nine-night festival that honors the goddess Durga and celebrates feminine strength. We mark each day with simple rituals, colorful outfits, and a bit of Garba dancing in the living room. Much like the other festivals we celebrate, Navratri is about bringing the family together and celebrating light, joy, and resilience. I make a point to teach my kids about the significance of each day—whether it’s through stories or by creating our own version of a “golu” (doll display). It’s all about connecting with our roots and honoring the power within us.
Halloween: Embracing the Spooky Fun
Halloween is a highlight for my kids, who enjoy dressing up and trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It’s a chance to step into a different world of costumes, pumpkins, and ghostly fun. We carve jack-o’-lanterns together, watch family-friendly spooky movies, and bake Halloween treats. Despite its spookiness, Halloween shares a common thread with our other festivals: it’s about community, fun, and enjoying special moments with loved ones.
Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Diwali is the heart of our festive season, and it’s all about lights, sweets, and family. We decorate the house with diyas and rangoli designs, dress in our best traditional attire, and enjoy a special family meal. This year, my daughter is especially excited to wear her new Desi Jams Diwali pajamas, and we’ll continue our tradition of lighting sparklers and sharing sweets with our neighbors. Diwali, much like Christmas, emphasizes light over darkness, love over fear, and hope over despair.
Christmas: Bringing the Festive Cheer Home
To wrap up the festive season, we dive into the Christmas spirit with a beautifully decorated tree, stockings hung with care, and the warmth of holiday music filling our home. The kids love making Christmas crafts, baking cookies, and, of course, matching family pajamas on Christmas Eve. For us, Christmas is a time of togetherness, generosity, and celebrating love and joy—much like Diwali and Navratri, it’s about coming together as a family.
Each of these celebrations, though different in cultural origins, shares a common heart: togetherness, gratitude, and the celebration of light. Whether it’s lighting diyas for Diwali, candles for Christmas, or a lantern for Halloween, we’re honoring the same universal themes of joy, family, and hope.
This festive season, no matter how busy or chaotic it may get, is a beautiful reminder of the rich traditions that connect us to our roots and to each other. So, here’s to celebrating the season in all its vibrant, multicultural glory!