Open House Hopping: How to Plan Several Deepavali Visits in One Day

It's a lovely problem to have: three, four or even five Deepavali open house invitations on the same weekend. With Deepavali on Sunday, 8 November 2026 and a replacement holiday on Monday in many states, many Malaysians will be hopping between homes. Here's how to do it gracefully.

Step 1: List Every Invitation

Write down each host, address and preferred visiting time. Group invitations by area so you don't spend the day crisscrossing the city in traffic.

Step 2: Prioritise

Decide who you most want or need to visit: - Close friends and family friends - Elderly hosts who may not travel to see you later - Colleagues and business contacts - Neighbours

If you can't make it to everyone, send a warm message and offer to visit later in the week.

Step 3: Plan Your Route

Use a navigation app to check driving times between each house. Allow buffer time for parking and traffic, which can be heavy near popular areas during the festive season.

Step 4: Space Your Visits

A realistic schedule might look like: - 11:00 am – First open house (brunch) - 1:00 pm – Second open house (lunch) - 3:30 pm – Third open house (tea) - 7:00 pm – Fourth open house (dinner)

For Muslim guests, build in breaks for prayer times and know where the nearest surau or mosque is along your route.

Step 5: Pace Your Eating

The biggest challenge of open house hopping is the food. Tips: - Take small portions at each house. - Try a little of the host's signature dish — they'll be glad you did. - Drink water between visits. - Politely say, "I've just come from another open house, but I'd love to try this!"

Step 6: Prepare Gifts in Advance

If you're bringing gifts, prepare them the day before and label each one with the host's name. Keep them in the car, out of direct sunlight.

Step 7: Keep Visits Reasonable

Thirty to forty-five minutes per house is usually enough at a busy open house. Your hosts will understand — they're likely receiving many guests too.

Step 8: Dress Practically

Choose a festive outfit that's comfortable for a long day. Slip-on shoes are a lifesaver when you're removing them at every door.

Step 9: Rest

Leave time to rest between visits, especially with children or elderly family members.

Step 10: Say Thank You

Send a thank-you message to each host at the end of the day. A photo of the delicious food or the decorations makes it extra special.

Quality Over Quantity

The goal isn't to attend every open house — it's to enjoy the ones you go to. A relaxed visit means more than a rushed one.

Happy Deepavali, and enjoy your open house adventures!