10 tips to spruce up your Diwali this year

This Diwali, shuffle your wardrobe, buy that expensive bag you've always wanted to, and most importantly, pamper yourself like never before! For beginners, here's a bucket list.

Why wait for the New Year to make resolutions and get a makeover when we have the biggest festival round the corner.

What better time than this Diwali to give yourself, your home and your life a super duper alteration.

Start with yourself and create a positive atmosphere around you, by changing the little things around you.

Want to look good and different this season? Try these ideas.

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Oh no, not your city it's you we are talking of!

Take your time to bath and shower.

Clean your fingernails and toenails as regularly as possible or head to the parlour for a manicure and pedicure.

When was the last time you took a close look at your make up kit?

Change your lipstick shades for a new you. Enough of browns, try the reds instead.

Change your eye makeup and blusher shades accordingly.

Try the new kajal or nail colour you always admired on TV but never got the chance to try.

Dig out all the jewellery you bought and never wore.

Make some changes if need be by using a good pair of scissor and small pliers and start flaunting your new custom collection.

Shop for some interesting bags and importantly, change them to suit your attire and occasion.

A wise tip is make a pouch and put in all your essentials viz license, credit cards, visiting cards.

So, when you change the bags, all you need to do is change the pouch and you are ready to go.

To feel new on the outside, it's important that you feel safe, secure and fresh on the inside.

Invest in some good lingerie this Diwali.

It's time to pay some needed attention to your innerwear.

Enough of the old fashioned ones and bring in some sex appeal this year. Go in for branded innerwear -- start off with simple measurements and keep it sexy.

Hair is probably a great way to start a makeover.

If a dash of colour can change the way you look and feel, adding hair accessories like clips, beads, sequins, pins and hair bands with motifs will bring in that festive touch.

Remember January, when you decided to start working out and then it just fizzled out?

This Diwali, welcome the winter with a new fitness routine.

Try a new form of exercise or enroll in a new health club to avoid boredom.

Yes yes, the same old resolution every year. But this time, make it small.

Just change your breakfast (to start with).

This Diwali onwards, make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. Or try to finishing dinner before sunset.

Pick one of the easiest meals you can change from unhealthy to healthy.

This is a good time to throw away the junk and clutter.

Ignore that slightest hope that will rise in your mind that you will need these things after a few months.

Just give them away!

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

And now that you are feeling good about yourself make small changes into the space you spend your most personal time -- your home.

The entrance

Let's start with the entrance door. Less is more -- start by adding a dramatic wall piece or a painting near the door for impact.

You can also make an arrangement of interesting looking pots or candles for a cozy look.

Colourful lanterns hung from the ceiling also adds to the beauty of the entrance area. Opt for paper or mud lanterns or make your own lantern from the shells you collected from your last beach holiday.

Add the colour

Diwali's a good time to paint your house. It also has the advantage of cleaning up.

But if you are hard pressed for time and money and are unable to do it, you can choose wallpapers.

Using sarees and duppattas is another way you can decorate your house. Changing curtains can also do the trick.

Accessorise

Go for throws and cushions embellished with beads and sequins to give the room a rich look.

Dress up the place by placing some seasonal flower arrangements. Meanwhile, bells and chimes will keep the negative energy at bay.

You can also add a beautiful traditional centrepiece on your dining table.

To give the tables a formal look, opt for dressy silk and tissue table runners and mats with lovely brocade borders.

Opt for traditional brass and copper thalis to complete the look.

Floral decoration

Intelligent use of flowers will make your home fragrant and beautiful. Use garlands to decorate the staircase, entrances and gate.

You can also add string lights to the floral garlands to add to the grandeur.