Diwali gifting is a wonderful thought until you’re staring at a shopping tab with 37 open windows, wondering whether your friend would appreciate another scented candle or if it’s time to admit defeat and buy a box of mithai. We have all been there. So, before you resort to panic-buying, consider this your cheat sheet to get gifting right this festive season.
First, identify your recipient. Is your friend the sort who rearranges their living room every other month, or the one who believes every meal deserves a beautifully set table? For the former, Ten Ten Objects’ Zero One Zero sculpture and Neytt’s Vallamkali rug make for conversation-starting additions to their homes, while Patchou’s Moonflower dinner plates and Anavila’s cocktail napkins might inspire the latter to host more often. Then there’s the friend who plays bartender at every house party. LSA International’s colourful balloon glasses, Joanna Buchanan’s bee-shaped cocktail picks and Mora Taara’s fish bottle opener could give their next round a little extra personality.
Of course, not everyone wants something for the home. For those who take their beauty routines very seriously, there’s Guerlain’s customisable lipstick case, Tom Ford’s Ombré Leather fragrance, and Bare Bar’s handcrafted festive soaps. The resident sweet tooth can work their way through Ether’s chocolates or Madras’ filter kaapi chocolate, while those who turn every game night into a championship have options ranging from L’Objet’s Haas Tic-Tac-Toe set to a mahjong mat by Jayanti Reddy x Madam Mahjong.
For the fashion-forward, think statement jewellery, playful hair clips, and bags that are unlikely to spend the next year tucked away in a cupboard. We’ve done the scrolling so you can get back to the far more important business of festive feasting, party hopping, and catching up with your favourite people.
