Diwali in US: A Great Occasion for Festivity and Gifts

India is called the land of festivals, and the United States of America is known for its people who are always ready for a good festival. India and the US share a rich tradition of democracy, multi-culturalism and shared festivities. Celebrating Diwali with joy is a part of this shared tradition.

The festival of Diwali is a major festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. Known popularly as festival of lights, Diwali for Indians anywhere in the world is an occasion to decorate their home, get dressed in festival finery, have a feast and send gifts, sweets and greetings. In the US, Indians take Diwali as a huge opportunity to meet friends, send gifts to loved ones, and get ready for the changing season. The festive spirit grows and warms the heart of the people as not only with the light and colour of lamps and lanterns, but also with the joy of sending and receiving Diwali gifts.

Diwali is generally celebrated in the month of November, and for most people in the USA, it is just the beginning of the festive season. Thus, Diwali, as the Festival of Lights, is just the right occasion to kickstart the series of festivals.

Festive Gathering

Indians living in United States gather in community groups, temples, schools, Hindu associations, Indian organizations, embassies and corporate businesses to celebrate their ethnicity and culture. Houses are decorated with diyas, or earthen lamps, and bulbs, lanterns and candles.

Diwali celebrations start two days before the main festival. These two days are mainly spent in cleaning up and redecorating the house, buying new things such as home appliances, Diwali gifts, Diwali sweets, sending Diwali gifts to friends in the US and also to family and friends in India. On the big day of Diwali, friends are invited for a party, lighting of firecrackers, display of fireworks, and exchange of gifts. The day is also spent in visiting friends, relatives, associates and exchanging gifts.

Locals in the US welcome Diwali largely because of the display of lights, fireworks and holding family gatherings and a feast. There are certain customs and rituals too, but the visual elements of Diwali decor, such as diwali diyas, lanterns, lamps, fireworks, crackers, feast, festive clothes, shopping spree, exchange of gifts are much in common with the festive aura in the US. This could be one major reason why Diwali is so popular in cities in the US. It truly reflects the positivity of the people.

Establishment Celebrates

The US establishment, too, has been active in celebrating Diwali for a long time. The White House celebrated its first Diwali in 2003 under the Bush Administration and since then it has become a tradition to illuminate the Presidential mansion with lights. Carrying out the legacy but on a larger scale, President Barack Obama in 2009 became the first president to actually attend the Diwali celebration and also the first to light the ceremonial lamp in the East room of the White House, in the presence of his 200 guests. By 2013 the Diwali celebration in White House became grand and ostentatious.

Where the two nations are coming closer by exchanging their tradition and culture, the US President Donald Trump carried the tradition. He lit the ceremonial diya in his Oval Office in the presence of senior officials from his administration and a small group of Indian Americans and community leaders.

In many cities in the US, buildings and shop fronts are lit with colorful lights, celebration centres are bathed in light of traditional lanterns, people take out colourful parades, participants dance and sing on traditional Indian tunes, the food stalls attract big crowds, and several other cultural elements are organized.

Shopping Spree

Since sending Diwali gifts to people in the USA as also in India is an important and enjoyable part of the festival, people go on a shopping spree days before the festival. People buy fine clothes, sweets, savories, firecrackers. Wrapping the gifts and sending it adds to the joy of this Festival of Lights.

For women and girls, it is time to look good in their festival finery. They apply henna on their palms, go to salons and dress up in their finest clothes to celebrate the festival of lights. The festivities are spread across communities and people light diyas to illuminate their lives and keep the darkness at bay.

It is now very easy and simple for people in India to send Diwali gift to USA or even send Diwali sweets to USA cities. One can do so online, in the comfort of one’s home by browsing through a huge variety of gifts and sweets, choose the right one and send it to any major city in the USA in one click.

Diwali Gifts Online to USA

Within USA too, it is easy and simple to do so. People can choose from a wide range of Diwali gifts and sweets such as kaju katli, soan papdi, dry fruits chocolates and send in a few simple steps for delivery in USA. The collection of diwali range includes sweets, dry fruits, home décor items, cakes, chocolates, flowers, jewelry, plants, baby gifts, corporate gifts, cards and fashion items. Luxury gifts and personalized gifts too can be chosen. The delivery of all gifts, in attractive packaging, is fast and secure.

For people in the USA, giving gifts on important occasions is a part of life and etiquette. Choosing the right gifts for the right occasion is as important as keeping in mind the loved one who will be receiving it. A wide variety of Diwali gifts, the ease of ordering online and secure checkout with free shipping make the entire experience a most pleasant one. This is what festivals are all about – spreading the joy and cheer all around.

Festivals like Diwali are celebrated with the same zeal and fervor in US as it is in India or in any other part of the world. Festivals like Diwali not only bring two diverse cultures together but also help us to discover our inner light and share the joy by strengthening our bonds with exchange of gifts.