Our festive gift guide for Diwali, sangeets, and everything in between

Festive season gifting has never been a small affair, but this year it feels like the stakes have multiplied. Diwali blends into wedding season, and somewhere between pujas and sangeets, the art of gifting becomes a test of taste. It’s joy, yes—who doesn’t love unwrapping a ribboned box to find something shiny, fragrant, or edible? But it’s also performative. Every gift is a little message, decoded instantly in the group chat: a dry fruit hamper says “last-minute”, while a jewellery box hints at “future heirloom”.

And there are always two kinds of players: the recyclers, rewrapping last year’s coasters, and the magpies, swooping in on what’s new, clever, or already sitting in everyone’s wish list. You want to be in the latter camp. Whether it’s the friend who loudly insists they’re “off sugar” or the cousin who secretly judges hampers like it’s a full-time job, this guide lines up the things worth giving—and, honestly, worth keeping for yourself.

When one hamper isn’t enough: accessories that steal the show

Let’s be honest: accessories are what keep gifting interesting. Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla’s hand-embroidered beaded mini bag sparkles enough to make cocktail dressing feel fresh again. Tara & I’s mocha bucket bag is the antidote to pared-back arm candy—soft-structured, roomy enough for more than just a lipstick, and just as at home with a kurta at a festive brunch as it is with wide-leg trousers on flight day. Then there’s Misho’s elephant charm: small, sculptural, and the difference between a gift that feels generic and one that feels like it actually knows you.

For the beauty-obsessed

The festive season always leaves traces—smoke residue from sparklers in your hair, the aftermath of too many blowouts, and at least one late-night decision you’d rather shampoo away. Inde Wild’s Luscious Locks gift box is the holy grail everyone would love, with its viral Champi Oil and Moonlight Serum working like a reset button. For the men who still think skipping fragrance is acceptable, YSL’s MYSLF Eau de Parfum makes the case otherwise—fresh and impossible not to spritz. And because no gift guide is complete without a lipstick, Simply Nam’s Hanna Mauve Satin Lip Crème delivers just the right payoff, sure to become any beauty maven’s ultimate ally.

For the Pinterest host

Every festive season, there’s that one host who suddenly discovers a passion for “tablescapes”. Card games sprawl across the dining table, diyas dot every corner, and the ambience is complete with curated playlists and elaborate centrepieces. Which is why homeware is the sleeper hit of gifting. Angie Homes’ sculptural wine decanter doubles as décor and a conversation starter. Ikkis’ diya-inspired tableware keeps the festive cues sharp without slipping into kitsch. And Seva Home’s dual-wick candles? Proof that sometimes, it’s the smallest object that sets the entire mood (and the air) right.

Bribes in a box

Sweet treats are the unofficial currency of every celebration, and let’s be honest, sugar is as universally loved as gossip. Which is why edible gifts remain undefeated. Läderach’s chocolate box is sleek, indulgent, and almost guaranteed to vanish before the night’s over. Laddoowala’s mix of sweets, dates, and dry fruits gives tradition a gourmet glow—perfect for the mithai loyalists.

For the magpies in the family

Some gifts are just too good to pass on. Aprajita Toor’s gold heels are an RSVP in metallic leather—strappy enough to double as jewellery for your feet and guaranteed to photobomb every Diwali picture. Argentum Arts’ silver polki necklace hits that rare intersection of indulgence and endurance. It’s the kind of piece your mum will “borrow”, your sister will stake a claim on, and you’ll love pairing with both a sari and a crisp white shirt.

And for the cousin who can’t stop admiring your lehengas, take it up a notch with Delhi Vintage Co.’s off-shoulder peplum blouse and lehenga set—half archive embroidery, half new-world silhouette. It’s the kind of piece that turns heads at every sangeet and somehow manages to feel effortlessly festive without ever looking like you’re dressing “for the feed”.

This is for the family members who notice everything, admire everything, and secretly judge everything. The kind of gifts that make them pause, double-take, and maybe even fight over who gets to wear it first.