Festive vibes, Gen Z style: Desi roots meet trendy twists

By Manya Bhasin

Festive celebrations are getting a creative makeover as Gen Z finds new ways to keep traditions alive while adding their own contemporary touch. From handmade decorations to innovative food experiments, youngsters are blending cultural roots with modern lifestyles, proving that celebrations are less about expensive purchases and more about creativity, personal expression and shared experiences.

For Gen Z, festivals are no longer limited to shopping for decorations or ordering sweets. They have become an opportunity to experiment, create and reconnect with traditions in their own unique way. From handmade torans and colourful diyas to protein-rich gulab jamuns and cinnamon cold brews, the younger generation is giving age-old festive practices a modern twist.

Social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest have emerged as major sources of inspiration, with young creators sharing DIY tutorials, craft ideas and innovative recipes. Everyday materials such as wool, moti beads, bamboo sticks, origami paper and ice cream sticks are being transformed into decorative pieces, offering affordable and sustainable alternatives to plastic-based market products.

Sharing her perspective, young artist Aishwarya Bhatnagar, a fourth-year student of Chitkara University from the Department of Fine Arts, also an artist and a graphic designer believes handmade creativity holds particular significance for today’s technology-driven generation.

“If someone asks me whether I would rather buy something from outside on Diwali or make it myself, I would choose to make it. Festivals give us an opportunity to explore our creative potential, and handmade decorations are also eco-friendly,” she says.

According to her, DIY activities go beyond simply adding to the festive décor. They encourage families to spend quality time together, bond over creative pursuits and take a break from their digital routines. From painting diyas and making jhalars to creating personalised chandeliers, handmade crafts offer a meaningful and stress-relieving way to celebrate.

“Not everything can be done through Blinkit. Everyone cannot have the same jewellery or follow the same aesthetic. Having your own distinct style is what makes you unique,” Aishwarya adds.
She believes platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram are helping youngsters explore their individual tastes rather than simply follow popular trends.

The creative transformation is equally visible in festive kitchens, where traditional sweets are being reimagined with a contemporary, health-conscious approach. Aishwarya encourages youngsters to rediscover the joy of making mithai at home while experimenting with healthier alternatives. Her suggestions include date and oat cupcakes, protein gulab jamuns made with paneer or chhena, air-fried preparations and jaggery-based sweet syrups.

Homemade mocktails and cinnamon cold brews prepared with apple, cinnamon and plant-based milk are also finding a place at festive gatherings, adding an unconventional touch to traditional celebrations.

For Aishwarya, however, the true essence of a festival lies not in extravagant purchases or picture-perfect arrangements but in the effort people put into making the occasion memorable.
“Memories are what we create. It is not what we get; it is what we put effort into,” she says.

As Gen Z brings together traditional crafts, homemade delicacies and modern culinary experiments, one thing remains unchanged: the emotional essence of festivals. Whether through handmade gifts, family recipes or personalised decorations, youngsters are demonstrating that traditions need not remain static. They can evolve with changing times while retaining the warmth, creativity and togetherness that make celebrations special.

(The writer is an intern with The North News.)