India, Nov. 9 -- T he festive season has always been a special time for actor Rakul Preet Singh, bringing with it cherished family traditions and good food. While some of the things she looks forward to have evolved over the years, the joy of festive preparations, particularly in the days leading up to and following Diwali, remains close to her heart. "Diwali has always been one of my favourite festivals. I love how the house is lit up, how you meet your friends and family, enjoy great food, dance and celebrate this beautiful festival of love and light. As kids, what used to be very exciting was bursting crackers," she shares, adding, "The childhood tradition I still look forward to is lighting up the house. Lighting diyas, candles and putting up lights just makes me feel so good. Both Jackky and I love lighting diyas, and he is very much a part of that too," says Rakul. Beyond the rituals and celebrations, food is an integral part of the festive experience for her. "The entire week of festivities leads to a lot of indulgence in different kinds of sweets, halwas and food," she says. However, enjoying the festive spread while staying mindful of her fitness routine calls for a little planning. Rakul admits that striking this balance during the festive season can be challenging, especially with celebrations stretching over several days. "It is probably the toughest time of the year to have a balance in your meals and nutrition. But I try my best and pick out two or three days when I will indulge myself. One trick Jackky and I follow is that we finish dinner before heading to parties during the festive time. We then end up snacking rather than eating a very heavy meal. But we never take a complete break from our routine because then it is tougher to bounce back," she explains....