This year, Diwali — a major Indian holiday celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists — falls on Oct. 31.
The light-filled celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights and Deepavali, is a time for family and friends to gather over meals, music, games and gifts to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. “Diwali is a time to bond with family, share laughter and stories and connect with friends both new and old in vibrant, celebratory gatherings,” Lion Pose co-founder Nisha Phatak says. “I love that the festivities also involve delicious foods that bring everyone together, from homemade sweets to abundant feasts.”
And then, of course, there’s the gift-giving. “Traditionally, gifts for Diwali include gold items such as jewelry — symbolizing good luck and prosperity — dried fruits and sweets,” says Apurva Agarwal, the founder of Amaaya Jewelry. According to Agarwal, other commonly gifted items include clay lamps (also known as diyas), which are used to decorate the home, and other home decor pieces such as tableware sets. “People declutter during Diwali as they believe a welcoming home attracts [the] goddess Lakshmi, [the] goddess known for bringing wealth and prosperity,” she says.
When you’re shopping for Diwali gifts this year, you’ll want to steer clear of gifting anything black or white, Agarwal says. “Red, green and yellow are considered auspicious colors. White is symbolized with mourning in Hindu culture, and black represents darkness.” It’s also best to avoid knife sets and other sharp objects as “anything sharp can symbolize cutting ties,” she says.
No matter who you’re shopping for, we’ve curated a thoughtful list of 35 Diwali gift ideas they’ll appreciate.
We’re with actress Mindy Kaling on this one: Brightland's products are truly giftable. “Cooking and Indian holidays go hand in hand, and I cook all my Indian food with Brightland olive oil,” Kaling says. “I first found out about Brightland from an Instagram ad and then was delighted by how delicious and versatile their oils are. I use their Awake olive oil for cooking and drizzle their addictive pizza oil on eggs, hummus and yes, of course, many slices of pizza.” This mini set from Brightland, packed in this bright, festive yellow box, includes the brand's oils, Awake and Alive, and vinegars.
Underscored staffer Richa Srivastava recommends gifting this hand-poured candle from Chanda Candle Co. for Diwali. "You can never go wrong with gifting candles during holidays, especially if they have a nostalgic element to them," she says. "These candles from Chanda Candle Co. are South Asian-inspired and whenever I light one of these candles, they remind me of my childhood in India. The candles have unique names, such as Barish, Masala Chai, Raat Ki Rani and many more, that lighting one will immediately make you feel nostalgic. My favorite scent is Barish as it reminds me of rainy days in Delhi and it brings a sense of comfort and relaxation to my space."
If the recipient loves to entertain, we recommend gifting something beautiful they can use, like this hand-painted tapas platter, the next time they have a house full of guests. The ceramic platter, which is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, also comes with seven small bowls that fit perfectly inside.
When we asked Kaling what products she thinks are worth gifting this Diwali, her list included two Lion Pose products. “Lion Pose Unspotted 4X comes in a vibrant orange-colored bottle, which is perfect for Diwali!” says Kaling, a Lion Pose investor and ambassador. “But looks aside, this serum contains azelaic, tranexamic, glycolic and lactic acids that exfoliate skin and fade discoloration fast. I’m obsessed and use it religiously on my face, and it’s gotten rid of all my hyper-pigmentation."
Also included in the bundle is Pep Talk, which Kaling describes as her “favorite nightly cream.” “It hydrates my skin so well and reduces redness from overzealous retinol mishaps,” she says. “It is perfect for replenishing hydration and calming skin post-Diwali festivities.”
Sweeten their Diwali by gifting them this bundle that includes Hotel Chocolat’s Velvetiser, four boxes of hot chocolate flakes and a set of white ceramic mugs. I was introduced to the Velvetiser earlier this month and was impressed by how quickly (and quietly) it makes hot chocolate. It’s also incredibly easy to use. You simply add milk or the milk alternative of your choice, dump in a packet of chocolate flakes (my favorite is the Dark Chilli Hot Chocolate Flakes), then let it work its magic.
Shopping for a jewelry lover? Goldstories, founded by Subikksha Balaje, offers a beautiful selection of handcrafted pieces, including sustainably made pendants, earrings and rings. We love the look of this chic mini curb chain, made from 14-karat gold, that's perfect for day-to-day wear.
A foolproof Diwali gift for grandparents, parents or close friends, preload the Aura Carver Digital Frame with photos and a sweet video message for the giftee. You can also preset the Wi-Fi to make setting up the frame that much easier.
Surprise them with a recipe book they can use to jot down their favorite recipes. This one from Papier features a hardback cover that can be customized with their name for a personalized touch, and it includes sections to record breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack recipes. If you’re gifting the book to a family member, include the recipes for a few family favorites for them to copy over in their own time.
A curated selection of responsibly sourced spices would make a great gift for the individual who loves to cook and host in their home. Available as a set of three, six, nine or 12 tins, you can choose to receive some of the brand’s bestsellers or select the spices yourself, which is a great option if you know the recipient well.
Agarwal says one of the best Diwali gifts she’s received is a box of diyas from Indotribe. “This store on Amazon has tons of options, and the diya box I had received was so beautifully packed,” she says. “I opened [it] and used it immediately to decorate my home with diyas.” Though not the same as the ones Agarwal received, this beautiful, hand-painted box of 12 is very similar and would make a thoughtful gift for anyone this Diwali.
Shonali Paul, the founder of Paul John Caffeine, recommends buying a deck of playing cards to give as a gift during Diwali. If you’re looking for a small gift that will get a lot of use and won’t break the bank, we think this is a great option, especially for hosts. Paul points to Zazzle, which offers several festive options, including these Goddess Lakshmi Poker Cards. Liberty of London also makes beautiful playing cards if you're seeking other options.
Our Place’s Diwali collection includes this beautiful set of ceramic stoneware mugs for the giftee who can’t start their day without a cup of tea or coffee. Backed by Our Place’s 100-day trial, the mugs are dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe.
Divya Kumar, the founder of AyurSome Wellness, plans to gift these beautifully packaged dark chocolate bars for Diwali this year. Free of refined sugars and GMOs, the box of chocolates from Elements Truffles includes unique bar flavors like Maple Toffee and Spicy Cayenne.
A thoughtful gift for beauty lovers, Shaz and Kik’s Ultra-Hydrating Wash Duo includes the South Asian hair care line’s Ultra-Hydrating Turmeric Shampoo and Nourishing Naram Conditioner. Powered by Ayurvedic ingredients, reviewers have praised the products for revitalizing their hair and restoring softness.
“Gold jewelry is always a thoughtful gift, and it holds even more significance during Diwali,” Agarwal says. She recommends gifting these stunners from her brand, which she describes as having “a perfect shine” and being versatile. Made from sterling silver and plated in 24-karat gold, the earrings would make a great gift for anyone who loves a bit of sparkle on their ears.
This editor- and celebrity-loved five-minute gratitude journal is a cute way for your gift recipient to reflect on the things they’re most grateful for over a six-month period.
“[I] found this when I was researching for gifts to give this year, and it was great to see Williams Sonoma coming up with something Diwali-related,” Agarwal says. If the giftees are first-time homeowners, a cute plate set is a thoughtful gift that will be a welcome addition to their kitchen. This porcelain set features a bright, festive design that's perfect for entertaining during the holiday.
Surprise the giftee with a sweet tooth with this package of artisanally crafted ice cream from Malai. With seven different flavor options to choose from, including one inspired by the Indian sweet kaju katli, the package will arrive with the four pints of your choice and can be kept in the freezer for up to six months.
From her own brand, Kumar recommends gifting these lemon-flavored tea biscuits, which are made using whole grains and are free of refined sugar. A great gift for the more health-conscious friend or family member, the biscuits are packed in cute tins that can be gifted alone or alongside one of the brand’s teas.
For the person who loves drinking coffee, Paul recommends her brand’s South Indian Filter Starter Kit. Beautifully packed in gift-ready packaging, the set includes a dabra set, an Indian coffee filter, a brass measuring spoon and one of the brand’s bestselling coffee blends.
“I am always looking for gifts that blend a modern touch with our cultural traditions, and this is my top pick for [a] Diwali gift/party favor,” Agarwal says. “It checks all the boxes: delicious sweets, adorable packaging, a contemporary twist on modern flavors. I love to write gratitude cards along with it.” Handmade in Texas, sampler flavors include Mango Lassi, Chai Spice and Cardamom Rose.
This dainty 14-karat gold bracelet from editor-loved brand Catbird would make a beautiful gift for the auntie or cousin who’s big on jewelry. You even have the option to customize the piece by adding a cute charm to it.
If you're searching for a Diwali gift for someone you don't know well, this gorgeous set of candle holders is a safe and beautiful gift option.
The Kulture Khazana Diwali Celebration Kit is the perfect way to get children involved in the festivities. It includes a 150-piece rangoli puzzle, a coaster kit that includes paint and brushes and a garland kit. Also included in the kit are a Diwali insert and a QR code for a free Diwali audiobook.
For individuals searching for an appropriate host or hostess gift, this attractive wooden pistachio pedestal from Uncommon Goods makes for a unique gift. Crafted from maple wood and finished with teak oil, the top tier of the pedestal can be customized with a name or message for a more personalized gift.
If the gift recipient you have in mind is a fan of word games, they'll have a blast playing Desi Chaat, which includes a timer, notepad, cowbell and 375 cards.
Candle lovers will appreciate this 19-ounce candle from Capri Blue that's housed in a festive gold vessel. With a burn time of up to 85 hours, the candle's tropical notes will leave the recipient feeling like they're on vacation.
At less than $20, this circular floor puzzle would make a wonderful gift for the little ones in your family. "As immigrants, kids often miss out on experiencing the true spirit of Indian festivals," Agarwal says. "When I was growing up in India, we used to make rangoli with natural colors, flowers and diyas. It was a bit of work, but we all had a blast doing it." She adds that this puzzle from Kulture Khazana "makes it easier for kids to learn about rangoli while keeping things clean."
This beautiful, hand-painted spice box is a lovely and practical gift for anyone who values an organized kitchen. Crafted from stainless steel, the container includes seven smaller containers that the gift recipient can easily decant their seasonings into.
A great gift to pair with a larger item, this gold-toned candle set from Calary has everything they need to care for their candles, including a wick trimmer, dipper and snuffer.
According to Agarwal, sterling silver jewelry is just as welcomed as gold. If you know their birthday, gift them this dainty necklace from Tiny Tags that features their birth month’s gemstone.
Perfect for the individual who's always in the kitchen, this gift-worthy fry set includes an ornate skimming spoon and wavy rack — designed by artists Lekha and Manjit Thapp — and clay diyas.
The tea drinker on your list will love this cute tea latte kit that can make up to six lattes. Complete with edible rose garnishes, the kit comes in three versions: Matcha Latte, Pink Latte and Golden Latte.