The Hindu festival of light, a five-day event that celebrates good triumphing over evil, will take place on November 12 this year, and be observed by more than a billion people across the planet.
In the capital, around 5.5 per cent of London’s population, or some 411,000 people, will celebrate Diwali. Typically, it will be marked by poojas (prayers), great music - and even better food - and fireworks to bring in the new year which is tracked on the Vikrami calendar. This calendar is 57 years ahead of the western Gregorian one, making it 2081.
Naturally, presents will also be exchanged to celebrate fresh beginnings and new chapters. Whether you’re celebrating Diwali or know someone who is, we’ve rounded up the best gifts to help you mark the big event.
Shop our edit below, and have a happy Diwali!
F&M The Autumn Days Hamper
Hampers: they’re not just for Christmas.
A basketful of gourmet goods is bound to get the desired reactions for any big event, Diwali included. This one has a menu of 10 delicious and comforting treats to brighten chilly winter days: we’re talking tins of chunky biscuits with luxury tea and coffee to dunk them into, savoury cheese straws, chocolate truffles and preserves, all packed into a medium-sized F&M-stamped hamper. Who wouldn’t want this?
Buy now £150.00, Fortnums
D. S. & Durga Rama Won't You Please Come Home candle
This festive candle from boutique fragrance house D. S. & Durga is inspired by Diwali's famous tale of Rama and Sita, making it the perfect offering for Diwali. It nails the Festival of Light brief while also flooding the room with heavenly woody and floral scents. The 200g candle offers a 60-hour burn time, allowing you to enjoy it on Diwali - and beyond.
Buy now £60.00, Liberty
Papier Peacocks 2024 Diary
A new diary for the new year with gold foil for extra style points. Papier’s Peacock design features a pretty bold print and sports weekly, monthly and yearly overview pages so you can keep track over the incoming year’s big events. There’s also extra pages to jot down to-do lists, notes and goals.
Buy now £30.00, Papier
Rampur Double Cask Diwali Spiced Manhattan Bottled Cocktail
Made with whisky from one of India's longest-running distilleries, this rangoli-decorated pre-mixed cocktail is a oarty-starter in a bottle.
The Manhattan is spiked with double-cask firewater and muddles with Sweet Red Agora Rosso Vermouth and Bittermens Buckspice Ginger Bitters with enough booze in the bottle to pour five drinks. Finish with a slice of orange and toast to a very happy New Year
Buy now £24.99, Drink Supermarket
Jaisalmer Gold Indian Craft Gin
Gin more your thing? As well as whisky, Rampur Distillery also makes this spiced and fragrant Jaisalmer gin with ingredients as prized as Kashmiri saffron and rose petals. For Diwali, it's dressed up the spirit in a gilded bottle, making it a wonderful gift to present to your Diwali party hosts.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Harrods Passionfruit and Mango Truffles
After something a bit different? Pick up this box of 16 truffles flavoured with juicy notes of passionfruit and mango to deliver equal measures of elegance and indulgence. They’ll make the perfect gift, whether you’re treating friends and family or want to take a small gift to your Diwali party host. As well as a dusting of edible glitter, they come wrapped in pink and lime green packaging.
Buy now £18.00, Harrods
Chai Guys The Ultimate Chair Starter bundle
Tea is a crowd-pleasing offering, but done Indian-style and it comes a whole other taste sensation. Chai Guys offer masala and kadak tea blends in their starter kit, which also comes with a stainless steel strainer and every Desi household must-have, a packet of Parle G biscuit. IYKYK.
Buy now £45.00, Chai Guys
Arena Flowers Saffron bouquet
It’s a happy coincidence that autumn colours and Diwali shades are largely one and the same. This warm amber and burgundy arrangement designed by Arena Flowers will help set the scene for a Diwali feast while also filling the house with a gentle scent. Spray roses have been mixed with helenium, stem of solidago and dark purple cotinus leaves to create a pretty bouquet with plenty of depth.
Buy now £45.00, Arena Flowers
Dishoom Gift Coins
For the one you always had lunch with, treat them to a slap-up meal at Dishoom with the legendary Indian restaurant’s gift vouchers. They come in the form of special coins, each worth £10 which is enough to cover most breakfast or lunch options.
Buy now £10.00, Dishoom Store
Forest Essentials Morning Ritual Gift Box
Luxury Indian skincare brand Forest Essentials brings the ancient science of Ayurveda into the 21st century. Teamed with beautiful packaging, the products are an absolute joy to use and keep on display on any dressing table.
This Morning Ritual gift box has four products to help you get ready for the day: Reviving Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir 15g which acts as a primer, Pure Steam Distilled Rose Water 50ml to cool skin, a day cream in Soundarya High Performance Cream With 24K Gold and SPF 30 High Protection 15g, and Delicate Facial Cleanser Mashobra Honey, Lemon and Rosewater 50ml.
Buy now £65.00, lookfantastic
