From Festive Decor to Cultural Explorations – A Joyful Journey into 2024

By Devika Prakash

A time to relax and celebrate with family and loved ones has come. This time I came up with many ideas to celebrate Christmas Eve very specifically. I love decorating things which even made it more beautiful and attractive than it was. It would be the most significant moment of my life as it was my first time decorating a Christmas tree. Choosing the required materials was a perfect task for me; everything seemed to be charming and it felt like grabbing everything at the same time. The more exciting I was because I had to decorate it with colourful lights. It felt so amazing as I kept rearranging the decors.

On Christmas Eve, I got up in the morning with the excitement to wish everyone a “Merry Christmas”. I kept capturing the pictures of my decoration, as into the collection of my favourite moments. I had so much work to be done – I started with my projects and  soon I completed it. Looking forward to spending time with my family, I celebrated Christmas Eve by cutting the cake and having a family dinner. This time I had also planned to indulge myself into my favourite hobbies with my studies. 

We have stepped into the New Year and it’s that time when people put all their bad experiences behind them and take a positive step into the future. Wishing for their own and their loved ones’ happiness, health, and prosperity in the coming years. In the New Year, we look back at the things we did in the past year and learn from them. I planned to clean my room and decorate it with colourful lights, it looked so fascinating. Lighting up is the most wonderful part while decorating anything; it is like spreading prosperity and happiness. 

And this is also the holiday season and winter vacations have always been special for me. It brings in a lot of love, joy and laughter. Each winter vacation gives several memories to cherish for a long-long time. While during the primary classes, all we did during the winter vacation was eat, sleep, play and visit our friends and relatives; however, as we entered the senior classes, things started to change. As I had to also prepare for the upcoming exams, for which I had to spend most of the time. I also helped my mother with household tasks and learned something new. I engaged myself in arts which is one of my hobbies, as I love doing pencil sketches which makes me relax and I do enjoy it. 

Being a hodophile, who loves to explore new things and wander around the world, me and my family planned to visit some historical places and we chose Ajanta and Ellora Caves. I wanted to visit it when I was a kid because I always wondered about the history and mystery behind every historical place. Ajanta Caves epitomize one of the greatest achievements in ancient Buddhist rock-cut architecture. The Ellora Caves also known as the Verul Caves are authentic concerning the forms and designs, materials and substance, and locations and setting of paintings, rock-cut architecture, sculptures, and unfinished temples made during Rashtrakuta dynasty. Both the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visiting there was a wonderful experience and I got a chance to acquire information about their significance and history. We had also planned to visit a nearby fort called Daulatabad Fort also known as Deogiri or Devagiri Fort, unfortunately we couldn’t catch up with time so went back home. Since my childhood, I loved travelling and exploring surroundings better than just sitting at home because travelling is a typical way to relax ourselves and flourish each and every moment, especially with  family. 

Every year I have had no special plans for winter holidays unlike this time. I spent it sitting at home, watching some newly released movies, and relaxing. My mother had prepared something special for New Year’s Eve, it’s not just New Year’s Eve but also their wedding anniversary so every year I plan something new. This time I thought that to prepare a gift for them, what to give them was a big deal for me. I had thought of preparing a wonderful card and a small handicraft, made with some rough papers as a way to reuse things. I was totally confused, now what to make? Is there anything I could prepare as a gift or should I buy something for them? were the only things that came to mind. At last I got up with an idea and prepared a small  handmade gift with a card. 

These were very delightful winter holidays with my family with happiness, fun filled and adventures moments, got to know and  learn about many new things, explored my surroundings. Let this New Year 2024 be the best and peaceful for each and every one. Wishing you all a Happy New Year!!