Diwali 2026: Gifts that are actually worth giving

It’s a game of pinball, but it’s also traditionally crafted in wood. It screams fancy, bought with adult money. Get this for that friend or relative who knocks on a piece of furniture every time you’re in their home and chants ‘Real mahogany.’ Or buy it for the one whose home you’d define as a literal museum, full of curious objects, collected from who knows where (they already own an ivory chess set). It fits the going-analogue, investing-in-nostalgia vibe, and is a definite upgrade from the plastic foosball. It makes you seem a mature, seasoned gifter, more than you are.

Best for: That wood-loving collector friend with mature tastes

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Ever lusted after a Zippo? Well, the lighters at Finesse Picks harken back to the college days of old, when flicking open a lighter was cooler, even, than flicking open your flip-phone. But these ones trump the Zippo by far, dare I say. A lighter emblazoned with the image of green mustachioed men locking lips with pink brides, or, say, a leopard-print one that simply says 'cunt', provides ample kindling for conversation. Just the gift, I'd say, for a friend that smokes on café balconies looking to get laid. 

Best for: Smokers who love lending out their lighters at parties

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NOT the kind of dudebro consultant tie you’re picturing. Tanddon's tie collection is one of the absolute best in the game in India. There’s the sensible and the sleek stuff here, but nothing screams Diwali like a funky, bold, or simply strange pattern. You’ll find hand-embroidered sharks, geckos and guitars, logos, moody thunderstorms – an endless list that ensures the tie-receiver’s personality and interests will be catered to. Prices start at ₹249 and stretch to ₹1,899 for the designer-label pieces, so you can go big for the boss or buy five for the cousins. Because they're all secondhand, it's the closest thing to 'sustainable gifting' a Diwali budget will ever get. 

Best for: The jiju who insists his wardrobe is 'sorted'

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Finding a gift that strikes the perfect chord is rare. Thankfully, a Kalimba does exactly that. It's a traditional African instrument that engages the part of us that sets us apart from most animals: our opposable thumbs. This thumb piano consists of a series of metal keys mounted on a wooden base, which enhances the resonance and delivers a rich, calm sound. It is fairly easy to play. But in case you find it challenging, well, just like the rest of the year, you'll figure it out.

Best for: The friend who insists on trying something new every year.

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The humble mouth organ, or harmonica, is easy to carry around and doesn’t demand a music room, a plug point or a particularly generous budget. It’s the sort of gift that can spark a new hobby. There’s a lovely old-school charm to it, too. And if you think about it, its sound is actually quite festive, once you’ve learnt to play it a bit. 

Best for: Friends who hate mithai and scented candles…and perhaps are even ditching your Diwali party. 

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Pashmina and regular scarves? A little too predictable for my liking. If I'm gifting someone a scarf, I'd rather give them something with a bit of my own culture woven into it: hence, Kantha. Originating in Bengal, this embroidery might look like patchwork at first glance, but it's actually a whole lot of artistry stitched together. Every piece has its own personality, and the slightly imperfect, handmade finish is what makes it special. You can find Kantha scarves and shawls online, but they often come with a rather fancy price tag. I know little shops in the nooks and corners of Kolkata markets where you can find them for much less. Pick a riot of colours or a wonderfully busy pattern, and you've got a Diwali gift that's thoughtful, wearable and a welcome departure from the usual dry-fruit box. Just make sure it's hand-stitched Kantha and not a machine-made one.

Best for: The friend who keeps falling for the 'artsy' type

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Who knew your daily binge could get this cinematic in the amount you spend on Netflix subscriptions every year? I sure didn't. A mini projector's the perfect gift to help make a comfort place even more comforting for the friend who likes to stay in and watch the same shows over and over and over again. Another obvious target's that one film-fanatic, constantly busy with updating their Letterboxd.

Best for: Folks who prefer living inside shows and movies over facing reality (I'm guilty in case someone's looking to surprise me soon)

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Festivities and a little tipple are a pretty popular combination. So instead of gifting someone another set of boring glasses, why not give their evening pour a personality of its own? These are wine glasses adorned with colourful florals, illustrations and stained-glass-inspired patterns. Basically, the glassware equivalent of someone who doesn't believe in being subtle. Very much my aesthetic. These make for a fun addition to someone's bar shelf or dinner table. Just check whether the artwork can withstand a wash and whether the glasses are meant for everyday use or are strictly decorative (my recommendation won't). Nobody wants their Diwali gift to dissolve after one party.

Best for: The host or the heaviest drinker

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I guarantee at least one of your folks is someone who lives for cold coffee everyday but is on a budget. The Delhi coffeeshop Devan’s is absolutely infamous for being nitpicky about the quality of their coffee and refusing to serve ube because the cafe next door is, so rest assured that this isn’t a poorly co-opted regular roast. This box comes with 5 bags, and each bag makes a litre of cold brew. It’s a medium roast, pure arabica single-origin Indian coffee, and it’s chocolate-noted, smooth and not as acidic. Making it is simple, too – the giftee just has to place a bag in a litre of water or less for a stronger brew, cover it, and let it sit for at least 15 to 18 hours before refrigerating. Then, you can drink it with or without milk and sugar. It’s a nifty little thing.

Best for: The older cousin who refuses to talk to you until she’s had a cup

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Very few gifts can compete with a wholesome Diwali gift box, which, much like the festival itself, is quintessentially Indian. The phool diwali box has all your festive essentials: special-edition incense sticks and Parijaat ceramic diyas, alongside coffee, almond laddus and teekha-meetha Tikki bar. Then, there are Nag Champa (flowers) incense cones, a paper T-light lantern and a Padma lotus-shaped candle. In total, ten Diwali essentials, neatly packed into one box. I’ve always loved Phool’s fragrant offerings, Diwali or no Diwali; it’s just that the festival of lights is their heyday. Against the pollution levels in Diwali, a delicious fragrance that doesn't singe your nose hairs is always a relief. 

Best for: Your grandparents or the host of the party