Invited for Diwali, what to bring?

tealady

Yolina what a lovely thought to take something "home made". I would pop round to the neighbours and have a quick chat about dietary requirements (you could use allergies as an excuse if you wanted to).
If someone came round to mine with something home made and from their culture I would be happy even though I may not be able to eat it, other guests may, and it would be a great icebreaker. Well it would be an icebreaker if I made anything, it would be so heavy it could crack an iceberg!

Yolina

I think it's all got a bit confused in here so to recap:

- I don't really know them well, they're not friends as such. They're a young couple, have been in the UK for about a year or so, no children yet.

- I can't ask them about dietary requirements because I'm actually not supposed to bring anything, but I would never turn up empty-handed I don't know if they drink alcohol, but I do know that they're not vegetarian.

- I've brought them home-baked goodies when I've been over to theirs before.

- Because this time it's for Diwali, I'm looking to bring something that fits with the occasion. So if can find gulab jamun, penda or barfi as suggested, then I'll get some. Sparklers-type things are also definitely on my list and if all else fails, then the brightest bunch of flowers I can find :rotfl:

HPoirot

Hi, OH and I celebrate diwali, and it's usual for those who don't celebrate to turn up with a nice box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers. If you go to the trouble of bringing indian sweets then it's a nice touch and in the spirit of things, although I imagine any hindu being inundated with those at this time of the year. Chocolates are a good substitute and in keeping with the spirit of swapping sweets at diwali too.

Yolina

Any specific flowers to avoid? Asking because for instance in France you wouldn't really give chrysanthemums, these being what gets put on graves on All Saints Days.

HPoirot

Not sure if it applies, but I can ask and get back to you!

Relocationrelocation

I'm a hindu and we wouldn't expect guests to turn up with anything specialist, a box of chocolates is more than sufficient.
And with regards to flowers, all types would be welcomed.

Dimey

When I've celebrated Diwali in India folk would bring sweets in very pretty decorated boxes. Some decorated with sequins and multi coloured.

The children were given little material crafts with tassles, a bit like material Christmas tree decorations. Again all bright and multi coloured.

On the drink side you could consider bringing a posh real lemonade or pink lemonade with the clip over top, like Lorina from Waitrose.