The spirit of Diwali has always been to illuminate the world with light and goodness near and far. We know the time and world we’re currently living in is seemingly dark and celebrating may look & feel different this year. Sending light to those who need it most during this time.
For small businesses and brands, Diwali and the upcoming holiday season is a great time to receive support from the South Asian and greater community. If you’re looking for gifts for friends & family outside of the traditional mithai box — we’re rounding up a handful of our favorites to gift across homeware, decor, kids, beauty, & wellness. ‘Tis the season, however and wherever you celebrate.
Image via Marble Lotus
Home & Decor
This beautiful Pichwai printed gift-wrapping paper, this brass chai strainer, and these lotus diyas from Marble Lotus.
Haven’t seen anything cuter than handmade these Ras Malai, Kaju Katli, or Gulab Jamun candles from The Simple Flair Shop.
This festive kitchen towel trio and these marigold reversible placemats from Pyarful. Also, all their greeting cards are fantastic.
This Diwali candle trio with yummy scents like Sweet Pistachio and Sandalwood Rose from Scrumptious Wicks.
These matki diyas, gold leaf platter, and these mini urlis from Arjuna Design Studio for easy, at-home decor.
Block-printed, eco-friendly favorites from scrunchies, to throws, to swaddles from Kaapus Co.
Marigold inspired colorful spunky diyas and matching traditional clay cups from Chumbak.
Food & Drink
Image via SimplyFlairShop (Etsy)
The Diwali celebration collection featuring Kaju Katli, Ras Malai, and Peda-flavored ice-cream from everyone’s favorite ice-cream shop Malai.
These one-of-a-kind syrups for coffee & tea like Gulab Jamun and Algerian Baklava from Transcendence Coffee. Also a fun bundle with Kola Goodies and their famous masala chai.
Chocolates that resemble pieces of fine art — with lots of vegan options and build your own boxes from Cacao & Cardamom. Their packaging is 10/10.
Spices from all over India with versatile uses in this variety pack with colorful packaging from Droosh.
These contemporary, single-ingredient mini tea tins from Ahista Tea.
Paan truffles (along with filter coffee chocolate bars and mithai-truffles) from Trufills. Vegan options available.
Homemade South Indian filter coffee made possible thanks to this ritual set from Ministry of Kaapi.
These chocolate bonbons and this chocolate overload gift set with flavors like Orange Clove Masala Chai with Parle-G from Madhu Chocolate.
These indulgent sweets and pastries mithai boxes (with vegan options) from Laylas Delicacies. If you haven’t tried their Turkish sweets, definitely explore those.
This cookbook filled with 100+ recipes for the modern South Asian kitchen from The Chutney Life.
If you’re shopping for a dessert lover, this cookbook from Milk & Cardamom is a must for any bakers in your life.
This masala tadka ghee mix perfect for homemade popcorn or easy dips from Paro.
Beauty & Wellness
Image via Indewild
This relaxation essential kit featuring masks, scents, and tools from Aavrani and D.S & Durga.
This perfect shades of Fall multi-use eyes/cheeks/lips set from Mango People. (Also on sale!)
Luxury meets fragrance with this essentials set from Forest Essentials — this Rose room spray is a must-have for every home.
Winter essentials for all ages with this ghee-infused lip balm set from Ghlee.
A little splurge for the fragrance lover in your life with these Oudh and Sandalwood scents from Soma Ayurvedic.
Created with intention journal gift sets for adults and kids from Silk & Sonder.
This discovery gift box featuring all the Ayurveda-inspired skincare essentials from Ranavat.
This haircare visual delight gift set from Indewild with a gift box that can double as the perfect jewelry box.
A holistic “get started” with a hair routine gift set from Shaz & Kiks.
Daily energy & metabolism-focused seaweed infused bites (with fantastic packaging) in flavors like Coconut Chai from Rootless.
Kids, Entertainment, & Pets
Image via House of Timepass
If you haven’t tried the family-fave game Desi Chaat from House of Timepass, you’re missing out.
An adult drinking game that is the perfect Diwali or holiday season entertainment from Drinkswalla.
Something for your favorite four-legged family members — specifically this Maggi chew toy or this ode to Bollywood bandana from Desi Paws.
The best children’s cultural games, toys, and crafts (for adults too!) from Kulture Khazana featuring Diwali kits, coloring, rangolis and more.
For some Bollywood family fun, this game will test your Hindi film knowledge far and wide.
This education meets religion Diwali gift bundle for kids & families with customize/build your own options from Modi Toys — their little mini Ganesh is a fan-favorite.
The perfect children’s book to understand the meaning behind Diwali from Khaylo Toys.
Some non-purchase ideas for Diwali gifts:
Bake homemade cookies or your favorite dessert and hand-deliver/mail
Paint & design diyas to gift (start with this clay diya set)
Mail hand-written cards to friends & family
Make donations to a charity of your choice as a gift
Thank you for supporting and reading TMM! We’d love if you can share this guide with someone in your life or tag us if you buy anything from the list. Also, check out our latest podcast episode on Ayurvedic eating principles with expert Nidhi Pandya where we discuss how, when, and what we should be eating.
Obsessed! Thank you so much for putting this together.