Ooohs’ and ‘ahhhhs’ are what most people want from a decent fireworks display.

Whether you’re planning to light up your life with a trip to a professional display or turning garden pyromanic yourself, no one wants a damp squib.

Luckily, you can get plenty of bang for your buck with the right advice. Rebecca Lee-Allen, partner of Frog Orange Fireworks in Jericho, is on a mission to make sure the people of Oxfordshire are dazzled.

“The public seem quite split in regards to home-done fireworks versus public displays,” she says.

“That said, we sell fireworks all year round because of demand from people wanting fireworks in their own gardens.

“It’s exciting to see your own garden lit up in this way and there is the added bonus of no waiting around or worrying where your children are.”

However, Rebecca says that quality is key when it comes to making the right choice. She is dismayed by misleading packaging and the buy one, get one free ‘deals’ pushed by shops trying to sell stock as quickly as possible because their licences only give them limited time-slots to sell fireworks.

As for picking up Catherine wheels with your carrots, she says this is an accident waiting to happen.

“I’m astonished that supermarkets are allowed to sell fireworks,” she says. “Their staff have absolutely no knowledge of what they are selling, what the firework does or safety distances.”

When it comes to safety, Rebecca also reiterates a point made by the Fire Service, that most mishaps are caused not by fireworks themselves, but the risky combination of small children and sparklers. Glow sticks, light-up wands, and even light balloons (try Frog Orange for these) prove safer alternatives for very young children.

As for budget and style, as ever, there’s a gender gap. “There is a notable split between men and women with fireworks, especially in regards to what they buy and how much they spend,” says Rebecca.

“Men in general spend big and want to create a lot of noise. Women tend to prefer the prettier fountains, Catherine wheels and selection boxes. That really sounds like I am gender stereotyping. I’m not – it happens!

“Often this is because women are taking into account small children who might not like loud bangs. As a retailer it’s important to offer fireworks across the board to suit all these tastes. We sell fireworks from £5 up to £130 so everybody can find something to suit their budget.”

As for the law, you can set off fireworks in your own garden any night of the year, as long as it’s not between the hours of 11pm and 7am. On Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year’s Eve, this period is extended until 1am, and Guy Fawkes’ Night allows home displays until midnight. It is important to keep pets safely indoors around these times as the noise can drive them crazy.

Another source of light as the nights draw in is Diwali, the Hindu festival of light.

After the success of last year’s event, The Tree Hotel in Iffley hosts its Diwali celebration tomorrow (Saturday), from 7pm with fireworks starting at 9pm.

Guests are invited to wear Indian dress and feast on lovingly prepared dishes, with proceeds going to help special needs education at John Watson School in Wheatley to mark this time of charity, goodwill and family values.

This is a chance for Kavita Pal, pictured left, to share the best aspects of her culture with the community and brings back strong memories of her childhood in Delhi. She says: “Diwali is a time of family, friends and neighbours, myriads of colour, lots of light and much happiness,” she says.

“For us, it’s a buzz of decorating the house, wearing lovely clothes, giving sweets to friends and family so their life is full of sweetness and happiness.

“This event is about bringing community together – last year we had two Indian families and the rest of the hundred or so people were from different backgrounds.”

Mum-of-three Kavita, who lives in Summertown, adds “We all work hard and forget to celebrate the highlights of our life, which are worth celebrating.

“Hopefully, whatever your culture, people can come together to enjoy the fireworks and good cheer – life is too short not to!”

DAZZLING DISPLAYS Tonight (November 1), from 6.45pm, 22nd Sea Scouts HQ, Meadow Lane, Donnington Bridge. £5, child £3 Tonight, 6.30pm, Three Horseshoes, Garsington. Bonfire, display, funfair and BBQ. £10 family ticket. 01865 368666 Saturday (November 2), from 5.30pm, Loyd Recreation Ground (Brasenose Park), Didcot. Bonfire, fireworks 7pm, fun fair, pig roast. £4/£2.50, under-threes free. 01235 212082 Saturday, from 4.30pm, Culham Park, Abingdon. Bonfire, lasers, woodland scare zone, Morris, robots demos, magic and stalls. For Help For Heroes and the Didcot bomb disposal charity, Felix Fund. £15 per car. 01235 848888.

Saturday, 6pm to 9pm, Village hall, Standlake. Bonfire, live music, food and bar. £4, child £2, family £10 Monday, Grove Parish Council fireworks, recreation ground, Cane Lane. Gates open at 7pm.

Tuesday, from 6.30pm, Stratfield Brake Recreation Ground, Kidlington. £5, child £4. 01865 373691 Tuesday, from 5pm, John Blandy Primary School, Southmoor. Hot food, fireworks; giant bonfire lighting 6.30pm. £2.50 per person. Saturday, November 9, The Kinecroft, Wallingford. Gates 6pm.

Saturday November 9, South Parks, Oxford, gates 5pm, display 6.45pm. £5.50 (under-eights free)