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Picture this: homes decorated with oil lamps flickering as the sun sets, gifts of silk saris and shirts and platters of Indian sweets made with pure ghee and clarified butter. Family members wear brand new traditional Indian outfits, prayers are said and offerings of fruits are made to bless the auspicious occasion of Diwali - the festival of lights. This may be the more conventional way of celebrating the largest festival on the Hindu calendar, but times are changing and so are the festivities.

Many of us may frown that Diwali, just like Christmas has become too commercial. But, Diwali is 'meant' to be commercial. One part of Diwali includes prayers for the goddess of wealth and prosperity known as Lakshmi. So businesses in India start their accounting year during this time.

No Diwali celebration is complete without some seriously sugary sweets – syrup-laden gulab jambu or rich squares of badaam paak. But chocolates (my favourite) have become incredibly popular - especially the ‘fusion’ chocolates filled with crushed pistachio or flavoured with rose water or saffron.

Sticky-sweet balls of galub jambu

Traditional sweetmeat sellers are attracting a new market with low fat versions of their wares, as the demand for healthier options grows in line with rates of heart disease and diabetes. I’m particularly glad of this new trend for healthier versions of traditional Diwali treats and this is what I like to make for my family and friends. My reduced-sugar , laced with vanilla and cardamom are a particular hit and my naughty but nice homemade are devoured as fast as it takes for me to prepare them. Our boxer dog even gets a treat of a reduced sugar, homemade vegetarian Indian cookie.

Homemade coconut balls and Diwali chocolates

Diwali celebrations often begin a month in advance. Households open their doors to friends and family members for nights of wining, dining and card games such as flush. For all these little parties we like to make Indian canapes such as and tandoori chicken, as it's becoming more acceptable to eat non-vegetarian fare.

Regardless of whether we eat chocolates or sweetmeats orwhether we toast the Hindu New Year with an alcoholic tipple instead of tea, Diwali for me personally will always be a time to look to the future and to think of others always before feeding myself first. Diwali Mubarak!

How do you celebrate Diwali? Do you like traditional sweets or modern variations?

Manju Malhi is a food journalist and presenter.