In India, among all festivals, Holi holds a special place. This unique festival, held every year on the full moon day of the month of Falgun, brings people of various faiths and walks of life together to share love and unity. Holi and colours are indispensable to each other. One can't simply imagine a Holi celebration without colours.
When you imagine playing Holi with your friends and family, pictures of people celebrating, throwing colour powders, and using water balloons come to mind. However, it is important to be safe and use eco-friendly Holi colours.
Let's talk about how to have fun with colours during Holi! This blog will show you the easy way to enjoy the festival safely, whether you're at home or outside. Let's dive in and make sure everyone has a blast while being safe and responsible.
Now, let's understand the “why” part first by learning about the dangers these Holi colours bring.
The Reasons Why You Should Play Safe Holi: Dangers Related to Colours
Now, some of you might question why they need to be careful while playing Holi with colours that seem so harmless. Do you know that there are several potential dangers associated with Holi colours? Especially if they are made with synthetic chemicals! Let's talk about a few of them.
1. Skin Irritation and Allergies
Synthetic colours often contain dangerous chemicals such as lead, mercury, and chromium, leading to skin damage and even burns. These chemicals can also cause allergic reactions in some individuals, resulting in redness, itching, and swelling of the skin. Therefore, you must always be careful and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself while celebrating Holi.
2. Eye Problems
Another negative aspect of Holi colours is that they can easily enter your eyes, causing irritation, eye-watering, and sometimes even temporary blindness. Especially if the colours are in children's hands, they can pose greater dangers to them than adults.
3. Respiratory Issues
Holi colours can be fatal if you have any respiratory disease, such as asthma. People with respiratory issues may accidentally inhale the colours, which might block their lungs and cause severe issues such as coughing, wheezing, and breathing.
4. Environmental Impact
The commonly found Holi colours can contain non-biodegradable components and harmful chemicals, and they can pollute the air, water bodies, and even soil. It is important to choose eco-friendly Holi colours to minimise the environmental impact of Holi celebrations.
Now that you have understood the major issues and problems associated with the unsafe use of Holi colours, you may have the question in mind: how to play safe Holi?
How to Play Safe Holi: Expert Safety Tips For You
Luckily, we have some advice and tips to share that can help you play safe Holi. And the best part is that you don’t have to give up on the colours altogether.
But how? Let's learn about how to play Holi at home this year!
1. Take Care of Your Attire
The first step for you is to consider and wear only your old clothes made with natural fabrics like cotton on the day of Holi. This will help you with a couple of things. First, natural fabrics are less likely to irritate your skin when exposed to colour. Second, wearing old clothes will prevent any damage to your favourite outfits in case the colours don't wash out completely (making it an eco-friendly option!).
Now, focus on preparing your skin to play safe Holi. Start by oiling your hair and skin with coconut oil or any non-sticky oil to create a protective barrier against the colours.
Also, covering your hair with a scarf or cap can prevent colour damage. Don't forget to apply a thick coat of nail polish to protect your nails from staining. Don't forget to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water.
2. Use Only Eco-friendly Colours
You have the option to use organic and eco-friendly Holi colours that are manufactured from natural ingredients such as flower petals and herbs.
For example, flower petals from marigolds or roses can be used to produce fragrant colours. Turmeric powder can be used to create bright yellow hues. If you prefer shades of pink or red, beetroot juice is an excellent option.
Such colours are always gentle on the skin and good for the environment.
3. Play Only With Dry Colours
When enjoying the festival of Holi with colours, make sure that you throw the dry colour powder on each other, which is less harmful than wet ones. Wet colours often lead to more health problems than dry ones. Wet colours are also more difficult to remove from your skin and clothes.
4. Avoid Harmful Chemicals
You must have noticed that people, especially young ones, mix colours with other substances such as ink, mud, and other harmful chemicals such as mercury to make the colours stronger and more vibrant.
However, it is like inviting danger for yourself and others since it can also fill the air with toxins and harmful elements. Therefore, avoid using harsh chemicals in the mix with Holi colours to play safe Holi.
5. Protect Your Eyes With Sunglasses
Eyes are always affected by the use of toxic colours on Holi. Wearing sunglasses can provide an extra layer of protection for your eyes from any harmful chemicals or particles that may be present in the colours.
6. Be Gentle and Responsible
During Holi's festivities, teenagers and children can get carried away with excitement and misuse colours. So it's important to be gentle and mindful of their safety.
You must have understood how to play Holi safely with colours by now. But you can also enjoy this incredible festival without using colours or other methods of enjoyment to make your loved one feel amazing and happy.
Show Your Love Beyond the Colours With Our Innovative Gift Hampers
On the day of Holi, there are other ways to celebrate love and togetherness than colours. You can go beyond colours and use gifts to express your affection and well wishes for loved ones. Our innovative gift hampers are the perfect way to do so.
For instance, you can choose to give a Poise and Suave Blend Gift Box, which is perfect for your loved one who loves gourmet treats, or The Nutcracker, thoughtfully chosen to wish love, wealth, and wellness.
Another thoughtful gift for you and your loved ones is a delicious dry fruit gift box. Not only are these gifts practical, but they're also affordable. And they don't have to be boring, either. Our Scrumptious Munch Box is ideal for your friend or sister who just loves gifts. It's a perfect expression of that extra love during the festival of Holi.
Wrapping up
As we know, Holi is one of India's biggest and most popular festivals. It is soulless without playing with colours. But the colours of Holi can be detrimental to both health and the environment. We have given you our favourite tips and tricks on how to play Holi at home and outside with colours. You also know about the alternative way of celebrating it via gifting.
If you also want to enjoy an environmentally friendly Holi, celebrate by gifting delicious gift hampers to friends and family from BoxUp Luxury Gifting. You can buy unique and memorable gifts from their extensive collection for your loved ones. We have something special for every loved one.
So keep yourself safe and happy this Holi, and have a blast!
FAQs
1. How can I involve children in Holi celebrations safely?
You can involve children in Holi celebrations safely by using non-toxic and child-friendly colours. Children should be supervised during the Holi celebration and should stay hydrated.
2. Can I celebrate Holi if I have allergies or sensitive skin?
If you have allergies or sensitive skin, it's essential to take precautions before participating in Holi celebrations. You should use natural or organic colours, do a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying colours, and wear protective clothing to minimize direct contact with Holi colours.
3. Is there a specific dress code for Holi celebrations?
While there's no strict dress code for Holi, many people prefer to wear white or light-coloured clothing during the celebrations to enhance the visual impact of Holi colours. You can also wear old clothes that you don't mind getting stained with colours.
4. Are there any specific customs or rituals associated with the days leading up to Holi?
Yes, there are several customs and rituals associated with the days leading up to Holi, such as Holika Dahan, where bonfires are lit to symbolize the burning of evil spirits. In some parts of India, people play Phoolon Ki Holi with flower petals instead of coloured powders.