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Diwali gifts for your family: A cheat sheet to scoring all the brownie points
You were busy floating on clouds of pooris and gorging on desi ghee ke laddoos when a loud thwack woke you up. Sadly, it’s just your mom making the dusting kapda do hula hoops on the fan blade. It’s your first sign that the pre-Diwali swacchta abhiyaan is upon us, and of course, so is the gifting season.
Whether you’re the lazy gifter who forwards presents they’ve received to unsuspecting souls (like this writer’s father) or the kind who plans your shopping months in advance, choosing gifts for your immediate family is the hardest. You don’t want to give them something forgettable like a bottle of alcohol, which magically empties the second you open it. Or anything impersonal with no thought behind the kind of person they are or what they mean to you. Worry not, for we have taken this task upon ourselves.
We bring to you a comprehensive list of Diwali gifts for your family, which not only takes into account their varied likes and interests but also your budget, because you won’t just magically cease to exist post-Diwali even if your savings might.
From the sister who’s moonlighting as a beauty influencer and the dad who loves cooking to the parents-in-law who you have a love-hate relationship with, we thought of everyone.
21 Diwali gifts for your family they’re guaranteed to fall in love with
For your mother
Under ₹1,000: Scented wax tablets from The Faraway Tree
After they’ve won their pre-Diwali Kurukshetra against dust and clutter, moms are on high alert for any accidental stains or nose-wrinkling odours that might have escaped their wrath. This is when you a) remember to use a coaster and b) score brownie points by showing them you understand the importance of saaf-safaai.
Made from the finest scented vegetable-paraffin wax mix, these hand-poured wax tablets with embedded flowers and leaves can be hung in her wardrobe, protecting the handloom sari collection you hope to inherit one day. They can also replace the synthetic air freshener in the bathroom that triggers her allergies.
Choose from rose, orange vanilla, peony or mogra and neroli.
Get it here for ₹499.
Between ₹1,000 – ₹4,000: Gul slip-ons from Tweak X Stoffa
After years of ‘borrowing’ your mother’s shoes and relocating them to your wardrobe, the holiday season is just the occasion to gift her a pair in return. These limited edition low heels are made from vegan leather, and come with a padded footbed so your mom can accomplish the 1,345 tasks on her daily to-do list without coming home to aching feet.
As Valentino reminds us, pink is the new neutral, so this pair really can be worn with anything. Even Twinkle Khanna thinks so…
Get it here for ₹3,500.
Sky’s the limit: Mini pendant from Forevermark’s Avaanti collection
As mother-daughter rites of passage go, shopping for your first piece of fine jewellery is as memorable as they come. Return the favour with this understated necklace from the Avaanti collection by De Beers Forevermark. The dainty classic is simple enough for everyday wear, and will be shown off to neighbours, colleagues and second-cousins at every opportunity she gets.
The best part is, you can choose the precious metal to suit your mother’s tastes, so you know that this new addition will fit right into her tijori.
Get it here for ₹2,24,999.
For your father
Under ₹1,000: Customisable hip flask from NutCase
If David Attenborough were to produce a documentary about dads in their natural habitat, he would observe that this species is happiest when they have a drink in hand. This fondness for a glass of whisky is second only to the paternal need to tell jokes guaranteed to prompt eye-rolls from his offspring.
Combine these two interests for the peak dad gift: a personalised flask with a funny label. It’ll make him chuckle every time he takes a sip.
Get it here for ₹599.
Between ₹1,000 – ₹4,000: Knife set with stand from Home Centre
Do your dad’s heroes include Gordon Ramsay and Sanjeev Kapoor? Treat him to this knife set from Home Centre. It’s a comprehensive collection, ranging from a cleaver to a paring knife, in a pretty blue colour that will brighten up the kitchen.
The holiday season is the perfect time for dad to get his Sharmaji Namkeen on and whip up some yummy treats. You can even spend some quality time together by volunteering to be his official taste-tester. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Get it here for ₹2,999.
Sky’s the limit: Carvaan Bluetooth speaker from Saregama
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Indian dads love Kishore Kumar. The Saregama Carvaan has the timeless look of an old-school radio, with all the functionality and convenience of a modern Bluetooth speaker.
It comes preloaded with 5,000 beloved Hindi songs, and FM radio. Plus, you can connect via a USB cord or Bluetooth to play any music you like.
Let your dad relive his youth — without lecturing you on how he used to walk uphill both ways to get to school.
Get it here for ₹6,990.
For your partner
Under ₹1,000: Travel-friendly razor from Bombay Shaving Company
Does your partner unintentionally cosplay as Wolverine every time he travels? If you don’t have the budget to spring for a yearly membership at Truefitt and Hill (if you do have Rs 70,000 to invest in your partner’s self-care habits though, click here), this Bombay Shaving Company trimmer is a barbershop in a box.
It comes with four detachable trimmer combs and offers 90 minutes of quality effort on the back of 120 minutes of charging. The USB fast cable ensures he can juice up the device while finishing his presentation/catching up on the latest Rick and Morty episodes. Who said men can’t multitask?
Get it here for ₹899.
Between ₹1,000 – ₹4,000: AirTag from Apple
While the Apple AirTag may be a gift for them, it’s really for you. Save them the headache of scampering around looking for their belongings and yourself from having to hunt for it along with them.
It may not seem like it now, but this little device is a handy investment.
Get it here for ₹3490.
Sky’s the limit: Echo Dot from Amazon
Curiosity is a great trait, unless you’re a cat, as the saying goes. And for the partner who has a question about pretty much everything and anything, the Echo dot with the built-in Alexa is the sidekick they need.
Pair their virtual assistant with their favourite audio streaming platform for endless tunes and even a smart TV for a complete home theatre experience.
Get it here for ₹6,999
For your sister
Under ₹1,000: K-beauty face ritual set by Pilgrim
If your sister is honing her skills as a beauty influencer with her 30-step skincare regime, this K-beauty face ritual set by Pilgrim will be the perfect gift for her this Diwali. Or even bhaidooj, if you’re the late-lateef looking for a gift at the last minute.
Purely vegan and cruelty-free, this set’s star ingredient is the volcanic lava ash from Jeju Island in Korea which will zap all the dirt from their faces, giving their skin a much-needed detox post-Diwali.
Get it here for ₹1,000.
Between ₹1,000 – ₹4,000: Noor wedge heels from Tweak X Stoffa limited collection
If your sister’s best friend is her favourite pair of heels, gift her Noor from Tweak’s limited edition collection with Stoffa.
The comfiest wedges on the market, Noor comes with mirror-work embroidery on the heel making her a stunning partner for any ethnic outfits. Who doesn’t want an eye-catching heel for the upcoming shaadi season, which also feels like you’re walking on clouds because of the padded soles?
Get it here for ₹3,900.
Sky’s the limit: Silk pillow+eyemask set from Dame Essentials
Gift your sister a restful night of sleep with this silk pillow and eyemask set from Dame Essentials for she deserves it after a whole day of listening to you rant about your toxic boss.
This silk eyemask will fit her face snugly while gently lulling her to sleep. Not to forget the silk pillow cover, which will keep her hair frizz-free and skin hydrated because of its anti-allergic and non-absorbent properties.
Get it here for ₹5,995.
For your brother
Under ₹1,000: Camper backpack from Adidas
For the brothers who love to travel or the ones who are just too lazy to use anything but a camper backpack, this classic from Adidas will fast become their new best friend.
Made with recycled materials, this won’t just be good for them but also for the environment. Constructed using Cordura fabric, which has high tensile strength, the backpack is rugged and will be safe from wear and tear for a long time.
Get it here for ₹1,000.
Between ₹1,000 – ₹4,000: Cordless massage gun from Caresmith
Whether your brother kept up to his New Year commitment to the gym or has dedicated himself to customising a human-shaped dent on the couch, this personal massage gun will be a welcome gift. In fact, he can show his appreciation by letting you borrow it. Indefinitely. (See what we’re going for?)
Get it here for ₹2,549.
Sky’s the limit: Blue bandi jacket set of 3 from Kalki Fashion
If your brother’s uniform of choice on Diwali is a kurta paired with his trusty old shorts, he might hate this blue bandi jacket set of three from Kalki Fashion but isn’t that the best part of shopping for Diwali gifts for your family?
At least he’ll look good as he’s trying to manifest daggers from the diyas this Diwali.
Get it here for ₹8,989.
For your grandparents
Under ₹1,000: Remote control holder from Big Small
You may have played chupa-chupi with them as a kid but now it’s probably the remote controls that they’re constantly seeking. If your grandparents call you frustrated at least once a day when they found the TV remote but not the one for the Tata Sky, then this organiser is going to be everyone’s saviour.
Though, you know nana ji’s glasses are also likely to make their way into this wooden organiser. Or dadi’s mobile phone. This is a multitasker, anyway.
Get it here for ₹699.
Between ₹1,000- ₹4,000: Diwali hamper from IGP
Summer holidays were filled with homemade ladoos, dada ji’s makhana mix and fresh dhokla. They always had snacks ready for you, now it’s your turn.
Before you panic, know that you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting. On this list of Diwali gifts for your family, we’ve clocked in a diverse snack hamper that covers every taste. Thai chilli cashew nuts, dried cranberries and a rainbow selection of Jordan almonds. It’s not only our grandparents who are obsessed with these, right?
Get it here for ₹2175.
Sky’s the limit: A smartwatch from Fastrack
Salwar-kurta, sneakers and now a snazzy new smartwatch. This one’s for the health-conscious grandparent or more likely, your parent who has been trying to get their parent to get more serious about their well-being.
Heart monitor, step counter, sleep counter and more, once you set it up for them, leave the rest up to the smartwatch. Will you have to spend some time setting it up for them and teaching them how it works (and then again on the phone every few days), probably, but it’s for their health and wellness. You can’t put a price on that.
Get it here ₹6,995.
For your parents-in-law
Under ₹1,000: Gardening DIY kit from Secret Garden
There are two things we absolutely love about this gardening kit and your mother-in-law will too. First is that you get everything a person needs to give their thumb a green coat of paint — coir pot, coco peat, seeds and more.
Perhaps what tickles us more is that the brand doesn’t reveal what seeds are in the pack. Some tender love and care (and suspense) and let them be surprised about the flower that blossoms.
Get it here for ₹399.
Between ₹1,000 – ₹4,000: Charging station from Daily Objects
We all know that the most coveted spot in the entire house isn’t the lounger right in front of the TV, it’s the charging spot.
Put an end to the battle of the champions fighting for a spot to charge their devices (including yours, it’s got 3 docks) with this charging station.
Get it here for ₹2,999.
Sky’s the limit: A vacation to Rajasthan from Veena World
Living in a big fat Indian household means you’ll never be lonely or bored, but the downside of never being lonely is that you’re never alone. Even when you want some private time with your spouse. We all could use a break, right?
There’s nothing like a trip across Rajasthan’s prized offerings of drool-worthy meals and cultural sights. They’re taken care of over the 6 days, 5 nights vacation, and you get the house to yourself.
Get it here for ₹36,000.
While you’re busy buying Diwali gifts for your family, don’t forget about your other family — Raju kaka who brews you a piping hot cup of chai every time you complain of a headache or Salma didi who always irons your favourite set of pants the day before you have an important meeting. Give them a hug and a surprise ticket back home so they may also celebrate this Diwali with their loved ones as you are.
