With smaller venues and shorter guest lists, Diwali card parties return in NCR

This season stands synonymous with shopping, celebrations, card parties and pre-Diwali bashes in Delhi. But those who especially look forward to the latter have been quite disappointed for the last one year as the opulent, grand Diwali parties went missing due to the pandemic. However, this year Diwali card parties are back. Though the gatherings are much smaller and an athome thing now, card parties in Delhi remain as happening and flashy as ever.

Revenge celebrations for NCR
After revenge travel, revenge dining and revenge shopping, revenge celebrations is the latest fad. “I have 19-20 invites for each day for parties happening across NCR. This started last week, and the number of invites will go up in the coming week,” says restaurateur Varun Duggal, who has been attending Diwali parties regularly since last week. He adds, “It seems that everyone was waiting to have a Diwali party. After attending so many Diwali parties, I have noticed that these parties are mostly being organised at homes or farmhouses, rather than hotels or banquet halls, as would happen in the previous years. Though the number of guests is limited, there is no compromise on the budget. People are spending a lot of money on décor, food, etc.”
Fashion designer

Vandy Mehra

decided to host two card parties this festive season. One was a Karwa Chauth-cum-Diwali

card party

for her girl gang, and the other will be a few days before Diwali for other friends and family. “I usually host this annual party, but last year we could not because of the pandemic. This year as the situation is getting better, I feel we also need some celebrations back in life. So we decided to host two parties this festive season. The idea was to have friends and family over and spend some quality time,” said Vandy.

Delhiites are going all out to celebrate the return of cards parties after a year

Demand for gourmet meal boxes and fully vaccinated catering staff
As gatherings become smaller at Diwali parties, hosts are very particular about the catering staff and their vaccination status to ensure safety. “Most hosts are checking about the vaccination status of the staff while making the reservation. Like we do in our restaurants, we are also making our catering staff wear badges that read ‘I am vaccinated’. Also, we try and send limited staff to these parties. For most parties (with a guest list of around 40- 60 guests), we prefer sending two members from the catering staff,” says

Varun Khera

, the owner of a restaurant in Noida, which is also catering for Diwali parties. Gourmet meal boxes that come packed with sanitised cutlery are also in demand this year. “The reason why many hosts are asking for these gourmet boxes is that they think they will be hassle-free and they want to enjoy a safe dining experience rather than have some staff over for food. Some invite catering staff only for live counters. We have noticed that most hosts prefer meal boxes if the gathering has up to 100 people. We have around 70-80 reservations (for meal boxes and catering) per week for Diwali parties across NCR,” says Gaurav Mehta, founder of a catering company in Delhi.

A recent Diwali party in Greater Kailash II

Card-themed desserts are a hit at Diwali parties
When we talk about Diwali parties, it is obvious that the dessert section has to be elaborate, but this year, people are looking for innovative options, too. “One change that I have noticed this year is an increase in the demand for card-themed desserts, along with other dessert selections. There is a lot of demand for card-themed cupcakes, cakes, macarons and other bite-sized desserts. Diwali parties, which are happening this year, might have fewer guests attending them, but people are definitely spending big to make these parties impressive. I have around 20-25 orders for such desserts for each week till Diwali,” informs Aavika Chhawchharia, cofounder of an NCR-based bakery and catering service.