A Rainbow Disaster Worth Having
My wife, the one who’s usually the picture of “put-together,” suddenly decides it’s a brilliant idea to hurl colored powder at my face.
That’s exactly what happened this weekend when Christine, my amazing wife, organized a Holi celebration right here in Sacramento.
And let me tell you—it was a messy, magical, rainbow-colored disaster that reminded us all why life’s too short not to have fun.
Here’s the full scoop on how our family traded pristine white clothes for a day of pure joy, plus tips if you want to throw your own Holi party in 2025.
What Is Holi, Anyway?
For the uninitiated (like I was until Christine took charge), Holi is an ancient Indian festival that celebrates the arrival of spring, new beginnings, love, and the triumph of good over evil.
Known as the “Festival of Colors,” it’s a day when people toss vibrant, food-safe colored powders (called gulal) and water at each other, dance to music, and eat delicious treats.
Think of it as permission to act like a kid again—no matter your age. Curious about its roots?
Check out Wikipedia.
We brought this tradition to our Sacramento backyard on March 16, 2025, and it was hands-down the most fun our family’s had in months.
How It Went Down: Our Holi Celebration in Sacramento
Christine had been planning this for weeks, and when Saturday rolled around, here’s what unfolded:
- The Setup: Everyone showed up in white or light-colored clothes—it’s Holi tradition! We snagged cheap T-shirts and pants from Walmart because, spoiler alert, they’re never white again. The weather was acting up, so we had no option but to wear some of our dark coloured hoodies and jackets unfortunately!
- The Powder Explosion: We ordered non-toxic, washable colored powders from Amazon—red, blue, yellow, green, the works. Within minutes, our kids formed an alliance against us parents, ambushing us with fistfuls of color.
- The Chaos: Grandma joined in, chasing our girls with a handful of pink powder. Our dog got a blue tail. And yes, you will find powder in places you didn’t know existed—ears, nostrils, car seats (help!).
- The Result: By the end, we were human rainbows—pristine whites turned into walking works of art. Check out all the pics of the madness!
It wasn’t just about the mess, though. Watching our family—kids, parents, even grandparents—laugh, play, and get silly together was pure magic. We’ve been grinding lately—work, school, the usual Sacramento hustle—and Holi reminded us to hit pause and play.
Why Holi Hit Different This Year
Living in Sacramento, we’re used to keeping things professional—running Best Sac Homes Group keeps me on my toes.
But Christine’s Holi idea flipped the script. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about letting loose. Our girls giggling as they smeared purple on my face?
Grandma’s triumphant “Gotcha!” as she tagged me with green?
Those are memories our white clothes will carry forever—even if they’re now tie-dye masterpieces.
How to Throw Your Own Holi Party in Sacramento
Inspired to try Holi next year? Here’s what worked for us in 2025:
- Get the Gear:
- Clothes: Cheap white tees and shorts (Target has great options).
- Powder: Non-toxic Holi colors from Amazon or local Indian stores like India Cash & Carry in Sacramento.
- Extras: Water balloons, squirt guns, and tarps to contain the mess (sort of).
- Pick a Spot: Our backyard worked perfectly, but Sacramento parks like McKinley Park could host a bigger bash—just check local rules.
- Set the Rules (or Don’t): We went with “no mercy”—kids vs. adults, every rainbow warrior for themselves.
- Clean-Up Tips: Powder washes off skin with soap and water, but clothes? Good luck. For car seats (asking for a friend), try this upholstery cleaner from The Spruce.
- Capture It: Photos are a must—our rainbow family pics are gold. Share yours with us on our new Instagram Page!
The Aftermath: Worth Every Speck of Powder
By Sunday evening, we were still finding blue streaks in the house, and my Monday Zoom call featured a faint purple ear (true story).
But was it worth it?
Absolutely.
Will we do it again next year?
Hell yes.
Holi turned a regular Sacramento weekend into a permanent memory—and proved you’re never too old (or too busy) to get messy.
Plus Christine made some churros which wrapped up our fun weekend!
What’s Holi Like in Sacramento?
Holi in Sacramento is a chaotic, colorful blast—think white clothes, colored powder, and family fun that leaves you laughing (and stained) for days. It’s a spring celebration worth trying, especially if you’ve got a wife like Christine to make it happen.
Can’t wait for next year’s fun!
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Sources
- Wikipedia: What Is Holi? – Background on Holi’s history and meaning.
- Amazon: Holi Powder – Where we sourced our colors.
- Walmart: Clothing – Affordable white clothes for Holi.
- The Spruce: Car Upholstery Cleaning – Post-Holi cleanup tips.
- City of Sacramento: McKinley Park – Local park info.