Diwali Celebration Planner

Who this is for

The days of Diwali, organised. Tasks for each day of the festival, the sweets and gifts to exchange, and a checklist for lights, pooja items, outfits and visits.

Households celebrating Diwali at home, from those hosting the whole family to those setting up a first Diwali in a new home.

What this helps you track

• Cleaning, decorating and cooking tasks shared out by day
• Who is responsible for each task
• Sweets and gifts for each person or family, prepared and given
• Diyas, lights, rangoli and pooja items ready in time
• Outfits and visits for the festival days

How to use it

1. Write the year, the dates, the household and how many guests you expect.
2. The day column lists the five days as many households keep them; rename or add rows to follow your own family's customs.
3. Write the tasks for each day and who is doing them, and tick them off as they are done.
4. List the sweets and gifts to exchange, tick prepared as boxes are made up and given as they go out.
5. Use the checklist in the week before; the browser version saves in your own browser.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The online version keeps what you enter in your own browser and builds the completed PDF on your device.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

Why five days?

Many households keep Diwali over five days, from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, but customs differ by region and family. The day names are only a starting point; change them to match how you celebrate.

Does the planner give the dates each year?

No. The dates move each year with the lunar calendar, so write them in from your own calendar or temple for the year you are planning.

Where do I plan the cost?

This planner is about tasks and exchanges, not money. For amounts, the gift budget by person spreadsheet and the seasonal spending review cover planning and looking back.

Can I add my own checklist items?

Yes. On paper there are blank lines at the end of the list, and in the browser version you can add your own items to the checklist.