For Diwali 2026, we're putting together a one-stop, specially curated editorial gifting guide featuring some of the most interesting products and experiences from across the homegrown creative economy.
Not to sound like a proto-desi version of the Grinch, but I’ve historically never been super big on festivals or gifts. I’m pretty mediocre at giving and receiving gifts in equal measure — a trait I’ve inherited from my family. I get a little awkward when anyone gives me a gift (especially if it’s a surprise), and my go-to gifts to people are usually pretty damn uninspired — a bottle of good alcohol or a book for those who don’t partake. The Dalals (my ma’s family, who I live with) are also not an overtly sentimental or celebratory bunch, and an occasion or festival for us is usually spending time with each other and talking or maybe going out for a nice meal.
It’s a little bit antithetical to a conventional South Asian household, where festivals are so central to everything — from food to travel to work. There’s light; there’s music; there’s dancing; there’s an electric revelry that is unmistakable. When I first moved back to India, some 18 years ago, I didn’t really understand the full measure of what this country’s festivals mean and symbolise to millions of people. I saw all of it through a narrow, one-sided, westernised lens that papers over the nuance and reduces so many global festivals to caricatures.
Over the course of the last two decades, that lens has expanded significantly, and that is in no small part thanks to everything I’ve been exposed to during my time at this publication. I know now that beyond the grandeur and the opulence of so many of our festivals is an essence and a foundation that is built on love, kinship, and togetherness. It’s about remembering that despite all that seeks to divide us and distract us and the trying times we live through, being able to stop and experience celebration and real human connection, however small — whether it’s with family, loved ones, or even perfect strangers — is what truly anchors us as a democratic, secular nation of multitudes.
As this festival season kicks off, it does so amidst what we can only hope are the winds of change. Keep fighting the good fight; keep standing up for those of us who can’t, but make sure you take a moment to celebrate amidst all that is yet to unfold. This Diwali is about joy as an act of resistance. And this homegrown gifting guide will help you on your way.
Chocolate is a perfectly respectable way to announce your arrival at someone’s Diwali party, particularly when you’ve brought enough to make sharing optional. Manam Chocolate has been shaping its own identity around Indian cacao, bringing together chocolate-making, regional ingredients and a curiosity for what Indian chocolate can taste like. Its gifting collection has plenty to explore for the friend who considers a box of chocolates a perfectly reasonable dinner substitute, or the one who likes discovering new names in the world of food. Just make sure you’re on the recipient’s good side before asking them to share.
For the friend who has appointed themselves the unofficial bartender of every house party, Bartisans makes a strong case for taking their hobby seriously. The brand specialises in alcohol-free cocktail mixers made with real ingredients, with flavours that work alongside spirits or can be mixed into zero-proof drinks. Its gifting sets bring the bar experience home, complete with accessories to help your favourite host get mixing. It’s a good Diwali gift for the person who enjoys playing bartender, keeps suggesting one last drink when everyone’s ready to leave, and has opinions about what belongs in a decent cocktail.
Mithai boxes have a way of turning family gatherings into unofficial tasting sessions, complete with unsolicited rankings and someone insisting that the best piece has already been claimed. Bombay Sweet Shop gives traditional Indian sweets a contemporary spin, playing with familiar mithai formats, unexpected flavour combinations and playful presentation. Its festive gifting collection is a good option for anyone who wants to show up to Diwali with something sweet that will get the family talking, whether they’re devoted barfi enthusiasts or the sort who need to sample every single piece before declaring a winner.
For the person whose day cannot begin until the first cup of chai has entered the chat, Sancha Tea Boutique has a gifting collection worth exploring. The brand brings together teas from different regions and traditions, with collections spanning Indian chai blends, classic teas and more floral infusions. It makes for a thoughtful gift for the friend who treats brewing tea as a hobby, has strong opinions about how long the leaves should steep, or can turn a quick cup into an hour-long conversation. Pair it with a good mug if you’re feeling generous, and you’ve sorted out their post-Diwali mornings.
Diwali gifting usually has the sweets table covered, so why not give someone a head start on the morning after? Aamra by NSK puts together food-led gifts built around breakfast staples, pantry favourites and handcrafted goodies, making a case for the sort of present that can be enjoyed long after the festivities wind down. The brand’s work is also connected to Nari Shiksha Kendra, a women-led initiative, giving its offerings a wider story beyond what’s packed into the box. It’s a lovely pick for the friend who takes breakfast seriously, enjoys a leisurely spread, or has spent the last three days feeding everyone else and deserves to have someone else sort out their first meal.
For the friend whose jewellery collection has its own seating arrangement at home, Begum Sitaara is worth a look. The label brings an ornate, maximalist sensibility to its jewellery, drawing on Indian adornment and traditional craft while giving its pieces a contemporary styling language. Its designs have plenty of character, making them good companions for festive dressing, though they can just as easily become conversation starters at a dinner party. Consider it for the friend who believes an outfit is never quite finished until the jewellery has had its say.
For the person who treats getting dressed as an ongoing experiment, Cord Studio has layers worth exploring. The label works across contemporary clothing and accessories, with an emphasis on textiles, considered construction and silhouettes that can give familiar outfits a new lease on life. Its overlays and layering pieces offer plenty of room to play with proportions, whether you’re dressing up for a Diwali gathering or finding a way to make your favourite clothes work through the cooler months. It’s a good gift for the friend who can turn a relatively simple outfit into a whole look with one well-chosen layer.
For anyone who enjoys the finer details of getting dressed, Hindostan Archive brings Indian textile traditions into contemporary accessories. Its collection spans scarves, ties and pocket squares, making it a particularly good option for gifts that can work across wardrobes and occasions. Prints and textile references give these pieces character, while their versatility makes them easy to style beyond the festive season. Pick a scarf for the friend who likes an extra layer of colour, or a printed tie or pocket square for someone who enjoys making their formalwear a little more interesting.
Banjaaran Studio approaches footwear as an opportunity to play with colour, pattern and craft. Its shoes draw on techniques such as block printing, embroidery and batik, bringing traditional textile practices into silhouettes that can hold their own against a particularly good outfit. The collection is worth exploring for anyone who likes their accessories to do some of the talking, whether that means patterned brogues, embroidered footwear or a pair that gives a festive look a more unexpected finish. It’s a good gift for the friend who has never understood why shoes should be the least interesting part of an outfit.
If your idea of a good bag involves a little imagination, Olivia Dar is worth bookmarking. The label is known for its embroidered accessories, with designs drawing on the natural world through motifs inspired by plants, animals, insects and other small curiosities. Its bags bring a playful, illustrative quality to an accessory that usually has the very practical job of carrying everyone’s phone, wallet and emergency lip balm. They make a lovely gift for the friend who collects unusual objects, appreciates intricate handiwork, or likes having a small piece of wearable art along for the day.
Soma Ayurvedic takes inspiration from India’s cities, landscapes and botanical ingredients to create perfume oils that smell like little olfactory postcards. There’s Old Delhi Oudh, with its oud, patchouli, bergamot and pink pepper notes, Mysur Sandalwood, inspired by the region’s famous sandalwood, and Kerala Forest, which brings together notes of cumin, cinnamon and forest botanicals. Bombay Fleur leans into jasmine and ylang-ylang, while Tobacco Rose and Vanilla Muse offer something a little different. The fragrances come in concentrated oil form, so you can dab them onto your pulse points and see how they settle on your skin as the day goes on. Soma also has discovery sets featuring multiple scents, making them a good Diwali gift for someone who loves having a few options to choose from.
The Bare Bar is known for its deodorants that skip aluminium and baking soda, with scents like vanilla, Kashmiri lavender and sandalwood, plus a fragrance-free option for people who prefer to keep things simple. The range also includes luxurious cold-process soaps, body washes, body butters, lotions, lip balms and lip oils, so there’s plenty to pick from. The formulas are vegan and cruelty-free, and the brand has a good mix of everyday essentials and fun scented products. For gifting, check out sets like Wrapped in Vanilla, which bundles a deodorant, body wash, soap, lip balm and lip oil, or the Fresh Discovery Set, and an upcoming festive hamper that you can pre-order.
Kay Beauty is a solid all-rounder if you’re looking for makeup that looks good, feels a little luxe and has plenty of options to choose from. The range covers pretty much everything, from foundations and concealers in shades for light to deep skin tones to lipsticks, lip tints, blushes, eyeshadow palettes, highlighters and kajals. Its hydrating foundation and lipsticks are especially popular, with thousands of customer reviews across its bestsellers. The packaging is sleek, the formulas have a good reputation, and most products sit in that mid-range sweet spot where you can pick up something nice without spending a fortune.
Justhuman is a neurocosmetics brand that looks at the connection between your skin and nervous system, with formulations designed to tackle everything from fine lines and pigmentation to hydration and skin health. Its range includes peptide creams, face masks, serums, cleansing balms and moisturisers, with ingredients like curcumin and pre-, pro- and postbiotics featuring across its products. The brand also has haircare and bodycare, so there’s plenty to browse beyond your usual skincare staples. If you know someone who loves trying new formulations and takes their skincare seriously, Justhuman is worth a look.
The Whole Truth has built its reputation around clean-label nutrition, with every ingredient listed upfront and a focus on keeping its formulations free from unnecessary additives. Its range covers whey and plant-based protein powders, high-protein bars, mini bars, millet protein bars, and energy bars, with options like Pista Badaam plant protein and Cold Coffee whey protein. You’ll also find a variety of different protein formats and flavours, so there’s plenty to choose from depending on what someone’s fitness routine is and their preferences. The brand’s straightforward ingredient lists and focus on protein quality make it a great one to check out if you’re shopping for some absolute fitness freaks.
SHASN is a political strategy board game that lets you and your friends try your hand at winning a national election, complete with ideological debates, voter manipulation, shady alliances and the occasional betrayal. Designed for three to five players, the game throws up tough questions about politics and ethics, forcing you to make decisions that shape your political persona as you compete for power. With voter cards, conspiracy theories and headline cards in the mix, it makes for an interesting Diwali gift for the friend who loves arguing about politics and has strong opinions about everyone else's.
Created by filmmaker Anand Gandhi and game designer Zain Memon, MAYA is a sprawling science-fiction and fantasy universe told through films, novels, graphic novels, games and immersive experiences. Set on the planet Neh, its story explores a world shaped by living Maya trees, an immortal ruling class and the power to predict and influence the future. Trials of MAYA brings this universe to the tabletop, letting players command champions, build custom decks, hunt minions and take down enemy towers in strategic, competitive matches. With plenty of tactical possibilities to explore, it's a good Diwali gift for the friend who loves a game night that can stretch for hours.
Andaaz Apna Apna is a word-guessing party game that can get gloriously chaotic. You help a designated guesser figure out a secret word using one-word clues, but here's the catch: duplicate clues cancel out, and some players are secretly working against them. There’s also a team-versus-team mode, so you can split the family into rival camps and watch everyone argue over a word like ‘jalebi’. Drawing from Indian pop culture and everyday desi vocabulary, it’s a solid pick for Diwali game nights with four to 12 people.
Designed by Sidhant Chand and illustrated by Aditi Desai, this strategy board game puts you in charge of a tapri at a bustling Indian mela, where you’ll be collecting ingredients, brewing different kinds of chai, serving customers their orders and competing with other tea stalls to earn money and build your reputation. You can play with up to four people, and the game has enough tactical decisions to keep everyone plotting their next move over an actual cup of tea. It’s a fitting Diwali gift for board-game enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate a very desi setting.
For the friend who can quote Hera Pheri and Andaz Apna Apna at the drop of a hat, Dialogue Baazi is a Bollywood party game that puts all that film knowledge to use. Think dumb charades, except you're acting out iconic movie dialogues, getting your friends to guess them and competing to see who has the best filmy instincts. It’s made for group gatherings, so bring it out when the cousins are over and watch everyone attempt their best Amitabh Bachchan impression.
Located in Baripada, Odisha — once part of the erstwhile princely state of Mayurbhanj ruled by the Bhanj Deo dynasty — the Belgadia Palace is a restored 18th-century royal residence which now serves as a boutique hotel. With its colonial architecture, carefully preserved interiors, and immersive cultural experiences, a weekend at the Belgadia Palace offers a change of pace for those looking to experience history, hospitality, and a little indulgence. And if you are lucky enough, you might just run into princess Akshita Bhanj Deo, who is a walking encyclopedia of the region’s history and craft heritage. A curated selection of the region’s dhokra metalwork, traditional textiles, and woven sabai grass craft is available at the Hasa atelier within the palace premises.
This Diwali, Lifeyoga is reimagining festive gifting through the lens of wellness, with a special gift card that encourages members to make time for self-care and mindful movement. Annual and six-month members receive complimentary access to three workshops, while three-month members are entitled to one complimentary workshop, with all offers valid for six months. Moving beyond conventional festive gifts, the initiative offers an opportunity to prioritise wellbeing, build a consistent practice, and share the benefits of mindfulness with oneself and loved ones.
Located in the Changthang region of Ladakh, the remote village of Hanle is known for its high-altitude landscape, sparse population, and exceptionally dark skies. Designated as India’s first Dark Sky Reserve, Hanle boasts a Bortle-1 sky rating, making it the perfect destination for a stargazing trip. If you are the kind of person who loves the idea of spending the night observing the Milky Way, constellations, and distant celestial objects with a cup of butter tea, far from the glare of city lights, a stargazing trip to Hanle, Ladakh, could be a perfect getaway to experience a Diwali in the skies — literally.
Set on a hill above the River Rungeet, with sweeping views of the Kanchenjunga range, the historic Glenburn Tea Estate offers a retreat into the landscapes and legacy of Darjeeling’s tea country. Established in 1859, the estate now offers experiential tourism packages with accommodation in restored colonial-era planters’ bungalows. The retreat pairs antique interiors and mountain views with meals prepared using local produce, making it an ideal gift for tea enthusiasts who appreciate slow travel in the midst of nature.
Diwali in Udaipur is a celebration of light set against the city of lakes’ timeless heritage, shimmering waterbodies, and atmospheric old-city lanes. As the City Palace and surrounding heritage buildings illuminate the night, their golden reflections ripple across the dark waters of Lake Pichola, creating a striking backdrop for the festival. From the waterfront views at Ambrai Ghat to the lively lanes around Gangaur Ghat and Bagore Ki Haveli, the city offers several ways to experience Diwali through evening strolls, exploring local markets, or simply watching the lights come alive after sunset.
In India, the festive season often entails hosting friends and relatives at your home. This Diwali, refresh your home with homegrown designer Anavila Misra’s new home collection, paying homage to her childhood home in Hashupur, Uttar Pradesh. The collection of textiles, furnishings, and objects for everyday living draws inspiration from the idea of the ‘aangan’, the traditional inward-facing courtyard that brings together domestic life and the natural world.
Notice’s handcrafted, heart-shaped cement bowl is designed to hold the little things that matter — rings, notes, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, keys, coins, keepsakes, and everything in between. Ideally placed on bedside tables, work desks, entryways, or shelves, the functional, timeless, and versatile bowl adds character to any space. Handcrafted in cement, each bowl is unique and natural variations in texture, tone, and finish ensure no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
Pune Artistry Works, architect and printmaker Aishwarya Jadhav’s linocut print-making practice produces limited edition hand-carved prints based on her travels, home, and obsessions. Each print is limited to an edition of one hundred pieces and makes for a wonderful addition to your home.
Designer Krsnaa Mehta’s India Circus is known for its contemporary interpretation of Indian design, bringing together vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and motifs inspired by the subcontinent’s cultural heritage. The home decor label’s scented candles, candle votives, and tea light holders are perfect additions to Diwali decor.
Good Earth’s Mughal Garden tableware collection draws on the floral motifs and ornamental traditions of Mughal miniature art, with designs inspired by the gardens and architecture of the Taj Mahal. Rendered in fine porcelain, the tableware collection features traditional Mughal botanical patterns and motifs such as blossoming vines and poppy butahs, accented with 24-karat gold detailing. The collection’s subtle connection to jashn-e-chiraghan, the Mughal festival of lights, makes it a thoughtful Diwali gift for those who appreciate Indian design, fine craftsmanship, multicultural heritage, and the art of hosting.
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