The best Diwali gifts for a sparkling festive season
Celebrate the festival of lights with gifts that shine bright
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The festive season is here. And while the excitement for Christmas seems premature, Diwali is right around the corner. Popularly dubbed the festival of lights, it is arguably one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India – and, whether you’re invited to a Diwali party or are hosting one yourself this season, what better way to mark the occasion than with stunning Diwali gifts for your nearest and dearest?
Celebrated over five days, the celebration of Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. It also marks the beginning of the new year in a lot of Indian regions. A truly joyous occasion, it’s the time to put on your finest clothes, spend quality time with friends and family, indulge in scrumptious meals at the best Indian restaurants, decorate your home with diyas (oil lamps), burst firecrackers, and exchange presents.
Traditionally presents were limited to sweets, dried fruits, and gold as auspicious heartfelt tokens. But, as traditions evolve, so do gifting guidelines. Unsure where to start? We’ve curated an edit of beautiful gifts for Diwali 2023, many from South Asian-owned brands, so you know what you’re gifting is authentic and sure to impress.
The best Diwali gifts for her
Itrh Chaaya bandhani kaftan dress
Buying for someone still deciding on her Diwali outfit? Look to Itrh’s lilac kaftan dress. Crafted from silk chanderi with a tie-dye bandhani pattern cut along the bias, the dress is detailed with woven copper wire lampi strips and strung with animal puppets along the hem. A fun one-shoulder reimagination of heritage Indian crafts, this is the perfect dress for the woman who blends her culture with a touch of personal style.
Misho halterneck body piece
Misho’s halterneck body piece is perfect for the woman who likes to make a statement. Designer Suhani Parekh drew inspiration from the coffee plantations of the Araku Valley in the Eastern Ghats of India for this particular collection. Handcrafted in 22 karat gold-plated bronze layered with black onyx stones, wear the body jewellery on its own, under a blazer, or over a crisp white shirt.
Forest Essentials magic of gold box
Forest Essentials is grounded in Ayurvedic expertise. Considering gold’s auspicious associations with Diwali, the magic of gold box makes for an apt gift. Featuring the brand’s popular Soundarya collection, the products, spanning body oils, serums, cleansers, and creams, are enriched with 24 karat gold, ghee, and high-performance active ingredients to nourish and illuminate skin.
Indē Wild revival set
The ultimate self-care gift, Indē Wild’s revival set is a great gift. The brand’s formulas are an amalgamation of chemistry and Ayurveda. The set provides hair and skin treatments for the whole day with a vitamin C morning serum, a bakuchiol evening serum, relaxing scalp serum and a champi oil for head massages that is sure to give her luscious healthy locks.
Anatina Chaand Sitara hairpins
A gift as celestial as the wearer, Anatina’s Chaand Sitara hairpins are crafted with a moon and star silhouette, embellished with pearls, and polished to an antique finish. Perfect for Diwali parties, this set is sure to be a versatile showstopper for the festive season ahead as well.
Amrapali London multi-stone cuff
You can never go wrong with classic jewellery for a gift. Amrapali London celebrates the skillful craftsmanship of India’s artisans through this sterling silver cuff. Edged with gold-plated tips and filigree scrolls embedded with a combination of rose quartz, iolite, and blue topaz, the cuff is great for wearing on its own or stacked together.
The best Diwali gifts for him
SMR Days Arpoador shirt
SMR Days’ Arpoador shirt blends the founders’ global travel experiences with heritage Indian craft. Handmade from blue tie-dyed cotton, the straight-fit shirt has a covered placket and concealed front patch pockets. The ideal gift for someone looking for a contemporary option grounded in tradition.
Karu Research embroidered printed jacket
This one’s for the street style aficionados. Karu Research’s vibrant hand-printed cotton jacket is put together using a traditional kantha embroidery technique to create a uniquely tactile piece. A palette grounded in darker hues makes it perfectly versatile.
Story MFG crocheted scarf
Based in Britain and manufactured in India, Story MFG puts sustainability first. This scarf is made from soft organic yarns dyed with natural plant compounds like jackfruit and hand-crocheted in India – we’re pretty sure eveyrone is going to want to get their hands on one.
Good Earth Kesya peacock cufflinks
There’s nothing as classic as a pair of cufflinks for the gentleman in your life. Good Earth’s Kesya peacock cufflinks are hand-painted in enamel and draw on regal Rajasthani motifs. Evoking royalty, the luxurious cufflinks are sure to be the talking point of any outfit.
The best Diwali gifts for the bar and table
DabbaDrop
Founded out of a need for quality South Asian takeaway food, DabbaDrop is a unique quintessentially Indian offering inspired by the tradition of taking a dabba (lunchbox) packed with a whole meal to school or work. DabbaDrop delivers an assortment of South Asian delicacies to be enjoyed weekly in a tin that can be swapped every week for a waste-free takeaway. A subscription to DabbaDrop will literally be the gift that keeps on giving.
Dishoom culinary hamper
Dishoom is undoubtedly one of the best-known Indian restaurants in London and its at-home range, including this hamper, is equally popular. A selection of goods, including the masala box, house chai, tea towel, signature incense, and Dishoom cookery book, is packed with love in a pretty blue box.
Rampur Jugalbandi No. 4 IPA Cask Whisky
Jugalbandi stands for duet in Indian classical music. Indian distillery Rampur’s Jugalbandi No. 4 whisky, as the name suggests, is a perfect medley of two distinct flavour profiles. Aged in American bourbon barrels for floral and fruity notes, the whisky is finished in IPA casks for spicy malty undertones that leave a lingering taste. The perfect libation for a Diwali poker party, also check out the brand’s special Diwali Indian Spiced Manhattan for an easy bottled cocktail option.
Hapusa Gin
This one makes for a great party gift. Hapusa gin is made in India and counts local elements, like turmeric, mango, ginger, cardamom, gondhoraj limes and almonds, among its botanicals (in addition to juniper). With tangy and peppery undertones, it is sure to make a mean negroni.
Good Earth Gulnar table tray
You’re sure to wow your hosts with Good Earth’s Gulnar table tray. The rectangular iron tray comes with a foldable stand and is meticulously decorated by miniature painters from Rajasthan. Perfect for serving drinks and nibbles, we won’t blame you if you feel like keeping this one all to yourself.
Our Place Diwali fry set
The perfect gift for the cooks in your life, Our Place’s Diwali fry set has been crafted in partnership with a community of South Asian artists and designers. An intricate skimmer spoon and wavy cooling rack are perfect for scooping out delectable gulab jamuns, samosas, and jalebis. The set comes with two traditional clay diyas as well.
Read more: The best Christmas gifts for him
