25 Best Diwali Gift Ideas for 2023
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these unique and thoughtful presents.
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Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays for people of Indian descent living both in India and in the diaspora, The Hindu American Foundation says. Diwali is a five-day celebration falling in October and November, and its name is derived from the Sanskrit word that translates to “row of lights.” The festival celebrates light triumphing over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It's also celebrated as the start of the New Year in many Indian regions.
All over the world, people mark the festival by sharing meals and spending time with friends and family, performing acts of dana (charitable giving) and seva (selfless service), decorating their homes with lamps called diyas, cleaning their houses and exchanging small, meaningful presents. Those Diwali gifts may include sweets and dried fruits as well as other heartfelt tokens of love and appreciation.
Below, you'll find our selection of the best Diwali gifts for 2023, which include edible treats and sweets, as well as unique ideas and personalized picks for just about every recipient's taste, from gifts for the sister who has everything to presents for the husband who's impossible to buy for — even the perfect idea for that neighbor who has a special place in your social circle. You can buy them all online from sites like Amazon, and most can be delivered all over the world if you're celebrating with friends and family from afar.
For the recipient who loves to relax and pamper themselves, this clay mask contains rose petals and rose water, saffron and pomegranate to soothe even sensitive skin.
All Access Pass
Even if you're far away (or shopping last-minute), you can share this gift without dealing with shipping. With an annual MasterClass membership, they'll have access to courses taught by hundreds of today's top performers, chefs, entrepreneurs and athletes, from Madhur Jaffrey to Richard Branson to Alicia Keys.
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Our Place, which sells the coveted Always Pan, has a whole Diwali collection on their site. You'll get a set of two serving trays, available in different colors, that can be gifted to the person who is hosting the holiday.
Rangoli Mandala Circular Floor Puzzle
As so many of us have learned over the past few years, puzzles aren't just for kids. This colorful rangoli-shaped one is as festive as it is ideal for occupying little hands while the adults cook, clean or linger over a cup of chai.
Serve a giggle with a cup of any favorite beverage with these adorable handmade food pun coasters. Choose a handful to gift together or give one to each guest for an ultra-personalized goodie bag.
Satisfy any sweet tooth with this box of delicious Indian treats. It comes with a delightful assortment of soan papdi, mawa peda and mysore pak. Serve them as part of a celebration with friends and family and don't forget to grab an extra box to savor all by yourself.
Help your favorite chai drinker explore new options or give a newcomer plenty to play with by sending them this versatile gift pack. Once they discover a favorite, they can order a larger batch of the winner to keep them sipping fragrant hot drinks for the rest of the year.
This pretty personalized gift will help the recipient wear their Desi pride wherever they go. It comes in a variety of lengths and your choice of sterling silver, rose gold or yellow gold to suit your recipient's style.
Send them everything they need to light up their Diwali celebration, complete with pretty diyas, a henna-painted holder, a bag of nuts for snacking and more.
You can't go wrong with a candle that smells like the Earth after a good, soaking rain. With notes of green leaves, sandalwood and ozone (that "it just poured" smell), it'll transport you back home, no matter where you are.
Share a story with the little ones that celebrates Desi culture by reading this award-winning picture book together. It also comes with coloring activities to keep the kids busy when you're done.
To infuse their cooking with Indian and Sri Lankan flavors (or restock their already-robust spice cabinet), build them the perfect starter pack of three to nine jars of signature spices. They're perfect for newlyweds, first-time homeowners, college students or anyone who likes to cook or needs a little kitchen inspiration.
Don't leave Fido or Fluffy out of the Diwali fun! This soft, plushy toy is shaped like a samosa to make playtime even more adorable. Remember to supervise your pets when they chew, especially if they're prone to tearing apart their stuffies.
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RONXS Candle Accessory Set
Keep your diyas burning brightly without leaving smoke stains on the ceiling with this stainless steel candle accessory set. It comes with a wick trimmer, a snuffer and a wax dipper that will become a part of your celebration (or just your candle habit) for many years.
Divide your crew into teams to test your Bollywood knowledge with this fun and competitive board game. Just like your favorite Bollywood flick, it's not over until it's over.
Perfect for that artsy friend who always looks picture-perfect, these lavender-infused henna cones will smell pretty as she creates beautiful designs. They are perishable, so keep them in the fridge if you're not going to use them within a couple of days.
Made in India: Recipes from an Indian Family Kitchen
With sections on everything from street food to desserts with plenty of homestyle Indian mainstays in between, this cookbook will help you create better-than-takeout dishes at home. Both beginner cooks and kitchen experts will be able to craft some delectable creations with this book's expert guidance.
Give the kids this activity box on the first day of Diwali to help them celebrate the whole festival. It includes a rangoli puzzle, a kit to make your own coasters and a DIY toran garland set.
Help your nani keep the entire family close to her heart with this beautifully personalized birthstone necklace. It comes in rose gold, silver and yellow gold so you can match her preferred jewelry palette, too.
Long Distance Friendship Lamps
Whenever one person lights up their half of this beautiful pair of lamps, the other one turns on too, for a thoughtful (and Diwali-appropriate!) reminder that they're never far from your thoughts.
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