Lights and fireworks, yes, but Diwali is much more that — friends, family, parties, night-long carousing and a tot or two of your favourite tipple. And, it is after all, the only time when gambling is not frowned upon but is a way to secure the blessing of the goddess of prosperity. Diwali parties, of course, mean serious business and stylish parties are not just about food and drinks. But with a few special touches you could ensure that your guests are pleasantly surprised.

Pic by Rashbehari das

Play on

No Diwali party is complete without a high-stakes game of cards. Go a little flamboyant with a deck of gold-foil-engraved cards for the special night. You can pick up a pack of two decks of cards that come in a swanky case resembling a book and with intricate gold foil embellishments, from Kaji — The Design House (Garcha, First Lane, Ballygunge, Calcutta). Price: Rs 1,550. Also available at Kaji is a quirky poker case that’s a must-have for any design-conscious host this Diwali. This wacky, hand-painted wooden poker case priced at Rs 9,200, could easily be mistaken for an old radio. And later you could even use it as a trinket box.

Munch magic

When the drinks start flowing your guests would surely like munchies along with them. But make sure to serve them the goodies in style. Our pick is home décor destination Magppie’s Droplets — a set of three tall bowls set on a dark stone base. The design has a fluidity that hints at three drops of water on the stone. Priced at Rs 5,800, it’s available at Magppie’s store at , Steel Junction Trinity Tower, 83, Topsia Road, Park Circus, Calcutta 46.

Final touch

You can hardly send your guests home without a token of your best wishes. And they will surely be pleased if the token comes with a Lladró tag. Gift them Lladró’s lithophane votive lights. Engraved with intricate figurines of Ganesha or Lakshmi, each lamp is fitted with battery-powered LED but there’s also provision for a candle. Priced at Rs 5,500 each, it’s apt for the occasion. Available at Lladró Boutique, shop no. 011, South City Mall.

Pic by Rashbehari das

Deck up

Before the guests come pouring in, it’s time to give your home a quick facelift. Throw in some exquisite cushions and unfurl some ritzy bedspreads to send the glam quotient soaring. Home furnishing store Onset (51/2 Hindustan Park, Calcutta 29) has just the cheery furnishings for you. Their Diwali collection of cushions in colours ranging from pink and purple to turquoise and lime green to fiery orange, is chic and will fit in almost anywhere. Done in textured fabrics and embellished with kantha work, mother of pearl embellishments, quilting, etc — each piece is unique. The cushions are priced between Rs 550 and Rs 2,100, each. Also, on offer are silk bedspreads in interesting prints and patchwork, priced between Rs 8,500 and Rs 9,500.