Rang Barse...Holi Themed Party

First of all, a big bear hug on passing the mark on 20K followers on Instagram and almost 7K on Facebook. So far it has been surreal and exciting journey filled with glory and gooseflesh in equal measure. However, learning and exploring has never ended. While staying true to our roots, I want to push the creative envelope and provide with the best and distinctly unique posts (implying I have a wonderful home tour line up). I am so grateful for the phenomenal support over the years. For all the people who have looked through my passion to help them choose their home décor stories, I am humbled, touched and incredibly thankful.   

As you all already know that I’m a sucker for a themed party.  Maybe it’s because of the fact that I love decorating and designing spaces but I also think I’m drawn to this kind of parties because it brings out inner happiness, positivity and vibrancy in me. Think about it, have you ever seen a themed celebration and thought it looked boring?  I don’t think so.  You just can’t help but be in a good mood when you are surrounded by vibrant colors, good food and of course great company. So, given a chance again, I pounced on an opportunity to organize one at home for the upcoming ‘Holi’ festival. 

When it comes to this festival of vivacity which is so vibrant, cheerful, and festive, you can never be verve enough. I decided to choose the quirkiest and the most colorful ambiance I can go for!  I brought out all the brass pots & colors I had and played around with the setting and voila...the center piece was created in less than few minutes. 

When everything about Holi is as vivacious it could be, having a dull ambiance can make your Holi party a major disappointment amongst your guests. Keeping the same thoughts in my mind, I incorporated a whimsical set-up with the help of my traditional danglers and marigold garlands to create an aura that would be perfect for Holi celebrations. 

I opted for a multicolored theme and added in beautiful and colorful paper flowers that complement the theme well. These paper flowers have been collected over the time from Michael’s and have been used abundantly in my many other décor parties but they are just perfect for adding more colors. I think that’s the main key for a great party design. Don’t worry about every little detail instead work toward creating spaces that have a big impact. 

Adding a festive interior spice always makes the on-going festivity of chiming cocktails, devouring Holi delicacies and delicious tête-à-têtes into a memorable one.   

Tiny details add up to make parties truly unforgettable. These simple, on theme, quick, easy and cheap plates made a big statement on the overall setting. By adding a clear tape, I painted the foil paper plate to splash some more colors and it worked out brilliantly. It was a serious shortcut that I think anyone could use for adding more color. 

Be it Holi or Diwali, with the weather as appalling as ours, my whole attention turns indoors, where I take great pleasure in entertaining because there is no better place to be than home for any celebration.

My ultimate canvas of this bay window has taken on so many entertaining identities over the years, yet again won to bowl everyone over. When you work with creativity consistently, you are able to reuse stuff from project to project because items picked with versatility in mind. Just changing the accents they go with creates a totally different and new look.   

The ultimate party favor was my 'Thandai' flavored kulfi but oh, hang on, there was something else ;). You know that we go far and beyond the usual when it comes to theme parties hence the post can not be officially completed without inserting  our colorful selves here. I like to set the tone right out of the gate, which for me means, a beautifully dressed us in welcoming the guest on the song of “Rang Barse”. After all, it’s the first glimpse of what lies in the future and I like to give guests a taste of what’s to come.  

These festivals graciously allow us to remember old days especially to those who are far away from India, where any celebration of any festival is always at the peak. These little pleasures just make you forget your worries and jive to the inner rhythm of life, isn’t it? So, make a splash with these ideas for your next high voltage themed event and bag away all the applaud. Until we meet again, stay connected and enjoy all the festivities at your end, toodles!  

To see how I change the same space on different festivals, themed parties or occasions...see here for my South Indian Themed Diwali Party or here and here for Valentine Fun parties.  

Valentine Fun!

Haven’t you heard the phrase to party like there is no tomorrow? Well, I take that phrase very seriously and let my creative juices flow from the farthest depth of my mind when I organize one at home. I love hosting parties, especially themed ones where I can cultivate my style as a creative outlet and indulge into my inner fantasies. 

Nothing matches the exhilaration of organizing a theme party and nothing makes me giddier than getting ready for one. Whether you throw a theme party or not décor always plays a crucial role in setting the mood. 

The bay window in our basement takes a creative transformation for any party or special occasion and becomes a platform to showcase my whimsies. With little creativity and lot less money, my DIY decorations added a lot of glitz, glamor and glitter on this party. I choose to buy less and throw in from what I have in home. 

From hanging DIY tulle décor, to cut out heart shapes (from gift wraps) to centerpieces (shoe boxes hidden with gift wraps) to DIY personalized frames (with ‘Jo Baka” memes) to even water bottles and props....everything is DIY. Just the paper fans are bought in from Michael’s with my 40% off coupon to add more color.

   

Never underestimate the power of a decor. It has always worked that few decorations go a long way in getting people pumped about a theme. Some fun and fresh celebration ideas always give guests a chance to don their creative hats and channel their energy into their best look of the theme.

When I was pondering over about how to make the day extra special beside serving them to this home-made sweet treat of ‘Mawa-Malai’ kulfi...“Jo Baka” memes came to the rescue for the party. Taking care of every smallest details...I added similar frames by our drink station and dinner table also. Since the theme was entwined with reminiscing old college days, I made a frame for every couple using their old pictures with similar funny memes for them to keep as a souvenir (which everyone loved and appreciated the gesture).  

Hosting a party at home calls for an elaborate planning and each aspect demands careful attention when you are picky as me for everything to fall perfectly. Although at times planning and decorating may seem overwhelming, but decorating for a theme party is one of my favorite part. Once you start preparing, tending to each aspect one step at a time, things will smoothly fall into place.

Our stage got flooded with selfies, posing with DIY props, playful games and a lot of fun banter that left lasting memories for our guests, just as we intended it! Until we meet again, toodles! 

Here is the link to our South-Indian themed party at the same spot.