Move over soan papdi, here are 36 Diwali gifts based on your friend’s zodiac sign

Give them a sweet surprise with these thoughtful gifts

This time of the year, our tables groan under the weight of giant motichoor ladoos, samosas and crunchy chaklis we actually want to eat. And then in a lonely corner of the table stands a fortress of soan papdi boxes that are destined for regifting. Sharmaji who won’t stop complaining about our pet cats in the building Whatsapp group? He’s getting one. So is the bua who scrutinises every aspect of our existence (here’s how to distract her). It’s basically a passive-aggressive peach offering.

But our friends deserve better. They are our sounding boards for almost everything in life. They are the extended family we chose for ourselves. So, why not make them the first recipients of your meaningful gifts this Diwali?

Buying a gift for your closest friend should be easy, except they are wanderers, sleepy heads, or energy monsters. Their multiple personalities cause complete decision paralysis. So we decided to use their zodiac sign as a cheat code.

From self-care items that remind a Cancerian to replenish their emotional bandwidth, to accessories that will help your Virgo friend build their ‘perfect’ life, we have curated a list of useful and thoughtful Diwali gifts for every zodiac sign.

Here are 36 Diwali gift ideas for your friend, based on their zodiac sign

For the energetic Aries

You’ll rarely catch an Aries sitting still. While the rest of us treat our weekend midday naps like a spiritual experience, Aries are out chasing their next adrenaline surge. They’re the friend who goes trekking at sunrise and signs up for a salsa class the same evening; rest is not part of their vocabulary.

Keep up with their pace and gift them something that matches their drive. Give them sweat-resistant Beats earbuds with heart-rate monitoring for workouts that won’t burn them out, SPF-packed skincare for spontaneous outdoor adventures, or a scented candle to remind them that even fire needs to rest.

For the gourmand Taurus

They are stubborn at times (read: often), as slow-trusting as Anjali in K3G, who was certain that Rahul was after her mithai shop, and lazy enough to spend the entire Diwali holiday in bed. The only bait that works is the promise of a great meal at a new dining spot. You’re most likely to find them at a Michelin-star restaurant or at a speakeasy sampling eclectic cocktails.

There’s no doubt that their love language is food. Let them know you speak it fluently and gift them a DIY matcha kit, an almond croissant-flavoured lip gloss, or an assortment of artisanal chocolates they can dig into while binge-watching The Great British Bake Off.

For the easily bored Gemini

Geminis crave mental stimulation and conversation starters. They swing between book clubs and meme wars, always asking, “What’s next?”. For them, you must search for gifts that amuse, challenge or spark debate—nothing predictable, please.

Consider this Parishri mangtikka, whose design will speak to their whimsical spirit. A vibrant eyeshadow palette that lets them lean into their experimental side. And when they are home and resting, they can pick up The Loneliness Of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai (Tweak India Book Club‘s book of the month) to feed their intellectual hunger.

For the caring Cancer

If you love a Cancer, it’s quite likely that you’ve met their entire inner circle (pets, included). They nurture relentlessly, often ignoring their own self-care until the emotional tide hits. But every now and then, your reflective Cancer friend realises that they can’t pour from an empty bottle. They often need a gentle reminder to indulge themselves.

A good champi hair oil will get their mind off things, while a Himalayan Deodar body cleanser from Kama Ayurveda will soothe their senses. Let their ritual be complemented by a pair of silicon bath slippers which can prevent slips—so they can feel looked-after as well.

For the confident Leo

Whenever you’re feeling a little short on confidence in life, your Leo friend reminds you why it’s important to keep self-doubt away. They may not always have a solution, but they still tell you how to walk into a room like you own it. With their charismatic personality, they’re often everyone’s favourite guest—and always everyone’s favourite host.

If you’re planning to gift something to the lions of the zodiac, fierce wall art that adds to the ambience of their much-awaited house parties, is a good one. A red lipstick that doesn’t budge all night is both, bold and utilitarian. And since nobody leaves a Leo’s party early, get them a playing card kit—because the perfect gift for a host is something that keeps guests entertained and earns them even more praise.

For the perfectionist Virgo

Your friend’s house is well-organised, with no clothes on the bed or chair, and not a speck of dust anywhere. They remember small details about your life and always know just the thing to say or do. They will beat all your arguments with logic and practical observations. You look at them and think, “How can someone be so systematic and sorted in life?”.

Make your Virgo friend feel special by choosing a gift that makes their life more efficient—a goal they always strive to achieve. The Humanhood Self Project Trio, consisting of a journal, vision board and calendar, will help them keep track of their five-year-plan. You can also opt for Kiko Milano’s 2-in-1 Lip and Cheek Tint or the Miraggio Gabriella Tote Bag that multitasks as much as they do.

For the beauty-devoted Libra

Walk into a Libra’s home and prepare to be obsessed with their decor. Meet them for coffee, and they’ll show up with the perfect blowout, and flawless eyeliner as if they have a glam squad on retainer.

Give them tools that will help their pursuit for beauty. A hairstyling tool that straightens while drying gives them salon blowouts in half the time. A three-step skincare routine tailored to their requirement so they don’t have to worry about bad skin days. Or add a beautiful curio, like this white tiger bedside lamp, to their home.

For the fiercely loyal Scorpio

There are a few people you would want by your side in challenging times, and you can always count on your Scorpion friend to have your back. When someone misunderstands you, they defend you like Gen Z defends their work-life balance. When you hate someone, they hate them with just as much intensity.

Diwali is the perfect occasion to extend your gratitude for their fierce loyalty. A Polaroid camera can be a unique gift to capture and eternally preserve all the precious (and embarrassing) moments you share in your friendship. Spoil your friend with a delicate diamond and gold bracelet from Forevermark, or a fragrance that captures the romantic charm of Paris. Bonus: You also get to borrow these presents any time.

For the adventurous Sagittarius

Everyone has that one friend who wants to travel the world. And another friend who asks way too many questions. And a third friend friend who is the first to try every new cafe in the city. Or, you have a Sagittarian friend who possesses all these qualities. Your perennially curious pal is the one who is always pushing for you to do new things.

Fuel their sense of discovery this Diwali with gifts that make their travels easy. Like the portable blanket and neck pillow set that makes long-haul flights easier, a mini skincare kit that reminds them of you at 30,000 feet, or a complete travel essentials kit with a wallet, pouch, name tag, eyewear case, and shoe bag to upgrade their packing game.

For the workaholic Capricorn

Your friend is a textbook version of Arjun Saluja from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara before his life-changing Spain trip. They bail on coffee to work late, skip weekend getaways for the office, and your friends are literally betting on how long before they take a work call at the Diwali party.

Given their dedication to landing that promotion, gift them something that supports their goals. Elevate their workplace style with the Pivot Meridian Convertible Briefpack from Daily Objects, or the Caramel Godet Halter Vest from Qua Clothing (perfect for both desk and dinner). And you can never go wrong with a coffee maker to fuel their work days and late nights.

For the uniquely intelligent Aquarius

Ever had a chat with your Aquarian friend and thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Relax, they’re not showing off. It’s just their Aquarian wiring: endlessly curious, armed with fun facts, and wired to see the world a little differently.

At a Diwali party, while everyone’s singing, dancing, or trying their luck at cards, they’re probably debating space travel or pitching their next big startup idea. This Diwali, celebrate their one-of-a-kind mind with gifts that spark ideas and stand out from the crowd. Choose the Just Cavalli Serpente Nobile Snake Watch for its unique design, or the Cityscapes Abstract Modern Painting from Studio Artemist, which is a mix of acrylic and hand embroidery. A Lego set that can be built and interpreted in different ways is perfect to fuel their childlike curiosity.

For the imaginative Pisces

You’ll know a Piscean when you see one—they are probably sitting in a corner creating art, daydreaming, or are immersed in a spiritual pursuit that gives them a sense of purpose.

If your friend connects deeply with emotions and aesthetics, let Diwali be the occasion you do your bit in nurturing their artistic side. A Kintsugi repair kit will fuel their creativity, while also fulfilling their love for philosophy. You can also gift them the Lakme Gliterrati Collection Shine Eyeliner in different shades for a dreamy, experimental look, or a pair of evil eye earrings to protect their dreams.