For the desi party planner who’s also juggling grocery lists, Zoom calls, and a small human’s birthday wish for “something like Disneyland but with rasam.”)
Let’s be honest.
Celebrations are lovely… until they turn into chaotic marathons with your husband quietly slipping out to “check the car tyre” (read: escape), your in-laws wondering why you haven’t made kesari yet, and your child demanding a unicorn cake that shoots glitter.
Planning a party in India—be it a first birthday or a fiftieth—is a balancing act between enthusiasm and existential dread.
So here’s my unfiltered, Bangalore-baked recipe for how to plan any celebration. Five steps. Zero burnout. Some sarcasm.
Step 1: Find your ‘Why’ (and not just because everyone’s doing it)
Before you summon a DJ, a dosa cart, or a dhol, ask yourself:
What are we celebrating, and why does it matter?
Is it your son turning eight and wanting a cricket-themed party with paneer popcorn? Is it your mother-in-law’s 70th and she wants to dance to “Kajra Re” in a sari older than your marriage?
Clarity is key. Without it, you’ll plan a wildly irrelevant party that nobody remembers and everyone complains about.
Step 2: Pick your flavour—literally and figuratively
Once you have a purpose, choose a theme.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need a perfect, colour-coordinated spectacle. You just need a vibe.
🍉 Laidback brunch with filter coffee and chaat?
🎨 Craft party for kids with crayons and zero glitter (trust me).
🪔 Intimate Diwali gathering with fairy lights and mithai from that one aunt who actually gets the sugar right?
From housewarmings to haldi ceremonies, the idea is to make it feel like you.
And yes, matching invite templates, QR gift cards, and even cute signage help. You can grab them on Zapigo. (There, I’ve said it.)
Step 3: Invite like a grown-up (and not with forwarded PDFs)
Gone are the days of those 11MB invites that land up in the wrong WhatsApp group (where someone still says “Good morning” at 4pm).
Now? Send a digital invite with RSVP, map, gift suggestions, and time zone clarity for that cousin in Melbourne. No chasing. No “Ping again?” guilt.
Also, pro tip: send it at 7:30pm. That’s peak attention span time, just before people open their newspapers, but do people do that these days?
Step 4: Feed them well (or at least feed them something)
No celebration survives bad food.
And nothing quite says “I love you, please don’t judge my parenting” like hot samosas and a well-labeled veg/non-veg section.
For kids’ parties, mix cheese sandwiches with mini dosas and one big sugar bomb of a cake. For adults, chai cocktails are underrated, as is ordering in and plating it on “heirloom” ceramic.
And if it’s a potluck, bless your soul and may your spreadsheet be ever in your favour.
Step 5: Pause, breathe, and actually enjoy it
Here’s what they don’t tell you:
You’ll forget to light some candles. Someone will spill something. One guest will cancel last minute because Mercury is in retrograde.
It’s fine.
Because when your niece does her twirl, or your best friend laughs so hard chai comes out her nose, you’ll remember why you did all this.
Let go of the pursuit of perfection. Focus on connection.
A final word (and then you may eat the cake)
Celebrations are not just about balloons, biryani, or big-budget décor.
They’re about being human—messy, hopeful, deeply flawed, and full of joy.
And if something goes wrong? Blame the DJ, or Mercury. Works every time.
—
By a Party-Weary Bangalorean Who’s Still Planning the Next One
(Or as she’s known on Zoom: Twinkle Auntie with the good snacks)
