With Diwali just around the corner, actor Kriti Kharbanda is marking a milestone that many newlyweds will recognise: her first festival of lights since getting married. Kharbanda, who tied the knot with actor Pulkit Samrat in 2024, has been sharing glimpses of how the couple's celebrations have changed now that they are husband and wife, and her reflections on the season have struck a chord with fans navigating the same transition. Her take on the holiday is less about grand gestures and more about the quieter shifts that come with building a home together - a theme that also runs through the festive gifting conversations currently doing the rounds on social media, where creators such as Prajakta Koli and Ruhee Dosani have been weighing in on what to give and how to give it.
Kharbanda's account of her first post-wedding Diwali centres on the idea that the occasion feels different once you are hosting rather than simply attending. She has spoken about the small rituals that now carry more weight - decorating a shared space, planning visits to both families, and finding a way to balance tradition with the new routines of married life. For her, the festival has become a moment to slow down and take stock, rather than a whirlwind of obligations. That sentiment is likely to resonate with the many couples who find themselves splitting time between two households for the first time during the festive period.
The question of what to gift has become a fixture of festive content in recent years, and this season is no exception. With influencers and content creators offering their own picks, the conversation has moved beyond the standard box of sweets. Prajakta Koli and Ruhee Dosani are among those whose festive gifting suggestions have been circulating, with both known for a conversational, relatable approach that leans on practical ideas rather than extravagant spending. Their involvement reflects a broader shift in how Diwali shopping is being discussed online, where usefulness, personalisation and thoughtfulness tend to rank above price tags.
For Kharbanda, the emphasis appears to sit firmly on meaning rather than monetary value. Gifts that acknowledge a shared history or a specific memory tend to land better than generic purchases, and the same logic applies to how couples approach the season together. Rather than trying to outdo one another, the more sustainable approach is to decide early on a budget and a rough plan, so that the festival does not become a source of stress. That advice is hardly novel, but it bears repeating in a year when festive spending is under more scrutiny than usual.
There is also a practical dimension to the first Diwali after a wedding that rarely gets discussed: the logistics. Newly married couples often face expectations from both sides of the family, and managing those expectations requires conversation well before the main day. Kharbanda's reflections touch on this implicitly, framing the season as one of negotiation and compromise as much as celebration. Setting aside time for both families, being clear about travel plans, and agreeing on how much to spend can prevent misunderstandings later.
The gifting side of the equation has its own complications. For couples, the question of whether to give jointly or separately is a small but telling one, and there is no single right answer. What matters more is consistency and sincerity. A thoughtfully chosen gift that reflects an understanding of the recipient tends to carry more weight than an expensive item picked at the last minute. That principle applies equally to gifts for in-laws, siblings and close friends, all of whom feature prominently in festive exchanges.
For those looking for inspiration, the suggestions being shared by Koli and Dosani offer a starting point rather than a template. Both creators tend to favour ideas that are easy to adapt, whether that means supporting small businesses, choosing experiences over objects, or personalising a gift with a note that explains the thought behind it. The common thread is intentionality: knowing why a gift was chosen matters as much as what it is.
As Kharbanda looks back on her first Diwali as a married woman, her reflections serve as a reminder that the festival's meaning shifts as life does. The traditions remain, but the way they are observed evolves with each new chapter. For couples approaching their own first festive season together, the takeaway is simple enough: plan early, spend sensibly, and let the thought behind the gift do the work.
Source: Filmibeat