Diwali is just around the corner and it is the season of light, joy and celebration galore. And nothing screams celebration more than exciting gifts and gorgeous food. Whether it is indulgent mithai, savoury snacks, special ice creams or artisanal chocolates, Diwali is synonymous with good food. Gifting, especially food, has always been at the heart of Diwali celebrations. “The concept of gifting, especially food souvenirs, holds great importance during Diwali. It is a long-standing tradition as food gifts are considered auspicious and thoughtful given that they represent abundance and the sweetness of life” says Sajid Patel, Executive Chef, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway. Food is arguably Diwali’s most popular souvenir as they often evoke the true spirit of Diwali; that of joy, indulgence, and connection. “Diwali begins with light, but what truly fills the season is generosity - an abundance of flavour, of gesture and of thought. Food creates edible memories, whether a jar of Himalayan honey that smells faintly of the hills or a box of pistachio and rose fudge that tastes like the celebration itself. These are gifts that just satiate the palate but linger on the heart,” says Ashni Biyani and Avni Biyani, Co-founders, Foodstories.
Reimagining yesteryear traditions
There is little doubt that in India, food is an emotion and an intrinsic part of our celebrations. “As the saying goes, every new beginning starts with something sweet, and Diwali itself symbolises the spirit of renewal. Gifting food feels instinctive to us; it is how we pass on happiness. What began years ago with simple boxes of soan papdi has now evolved into beautifully curated gifts that carry both warmth and meaning,” says Kanchan Achpal, Chief Marketing Officer, SMOOR.
The concept of gifting has definitely evolved over a period of time. “People earlier opted to gift handmade items or home-made delicacies made from recipes passed on through generations. Over the years, gifting during festivals has become a cherished ritual weaving tradition and celebration. Today, we see people preferring curated hampers involving a mix of food souvenirs, decorative and lifestyle items, all of which uphold cultural traditions while boosting the festive spirit,” says Parvana S. Mistry, Operations Director, Parsi Dairy Farm.
With growing awareness around mindful eating, sugar-free and low-GI mithai are becoming increasingly popular, allowing people to enjoy the festivities without compromising on health. “There is also a noticeable rise in protein-fortified sweets made using natural ingredients and clean-label formulations, catering to those seeking balanced nutrition during celebrations. Additionally, vegan and dairy-free options—such as mithai crafted with plant-based milks or nut-based alternatives—are finding their way into festive menus, making traditional treats more inclusive and wellness-oriented,” adds Sajid Patel.
There is a growing preference for thoughtful, sustainable, and experience-driven gifting. “People are leaning towards artisanal products, natural and locally sourced ingredients, products without preservatives and wellness-inspired indulgences. Personalization and mindful luxury; where every item tells a story have become key trends,” says Shravan Reddy, Director Food & Beverage, Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park.
Further, this festive season, gifting feels slower, more personal and more sensorial than before. “People are moving away from excess and turning to meaning - choosing gifts that speak of provenance, artistry, and intent. There is a growing love for multi-sensory gifting hampers that feel beautiful to hold, open and share. A jar of truffle-lacquered nuts, an artisanal mithai styled like a petit four, a blue pottery diya shaped by hand in Jaipur, or a picnic basket that doubles as a keepsake,” adds Ashni and Avni.
There is a clear shift towards modern, experiential gifts things that surprise and delight beyond the usual mithai or dry fruit box. “There is a big trend of fusion and nostalgia reimagining Indian classics in new formats. Think barfi, rasmalai, or gulab jamun but with a cooler, contemporary twist. Consumers want gifts that feel premium yet playful, beautifully packaged and Instagram-worthy,” says Ankit Chona, CEO, Hocco Ice Creams.
Reusable and sustainable packaging has also become a key focus as people value gifts that not only look beautiful and can also be repurposed. Think wooden trays, festive tins, bento boxes and baskets that can be reused and remembered.
Delectable offerings
Food souvenirs today are thus a thoughtful blend of craftsmanship, sustainability, and indulgence which bring together timeless tradition and contemporary finesse. From desserts like handcrafted saffron pistachio barfi and rose almond ladoos prepared with organic khoya and natural sweeteners to single-origin dark and milk chocolates infused with Indian notes of cardamom, cinnamon and sea salt, the variety is not just mouth-watering but mind boggling too. Complementing the sweets are savoury snacks like roasted nut mixes and spiced khakhra crisps made with cold-pressed oils, offering a perfect balance of taste and texture. For wellness enthusiasts there are herbal tea blends such as Tulsi, chamomile, and hibiscus paired with raw forest honey sourced from local farmers.
“This year our hamper offers a true celebration of conscious luxury and festive warmth. We have a selection of artisanal and specially sourced delights such as Pista Mista, a handcrafted mithai made with premium pistachios and milk solids; Anjeer Katori, a rich fig-based sweet infused with saffron and almonds; and Orange Vanilla Tea Cakes, infused with fragrant orange zest, dry fruits and Madagascar vanilla pods,” says Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal.
From luscious tres leches milk, layered with mixed fruit compote and velvety mascarpone crème to millet-based cookies and dark chocolate-coated quinoa puffs, creativity and innovation is at the forefront. “We have introduced three limited-edition cakes this season, chocolate rasmalai, ghewar cheesecake and boondi cheesecake - each inspired by traditional Indian sweets, reimagined in our modern SMOOR style,” adds Kanchan Achpal.
Cacao Springs has hopped on to the Dubai kunafa trend by bringing their much-loved bestseller Kunafa into the Diwali series with the Tales of Pista Kunafa Brittle. “It is a decadent fusion of pistachios, caramel, and crisp French biscuit, crafted to taste like luxury in every bite,” says Mahek Sugandh, founder and head chocolatier at Cacao Springs and The Binge. At Parsi Dairy Farm there are delightful fusion sweets with a refreshing twist on traditional options like the Raspberry khopra pak.
Something for everyone
If cakes, ice creams and beverages are your calling, you will be spoilt for choice. Belagio offers a whole range of decadent cakes in flavours like choco berry, rose lychee raspberry and even a five-layer blueberry cheesecake. “At Belagio, every creation is designed to feel like a celebration in itself. Our launch has come at the perfect time for the festive season, making it the ideal gift; a collection defined by couture-like craftsmanship, the finest ingredients, and luxurious packaging that make each entremet as delightful to gift as it is to savour. We offer a wide range of eggless creations including our entire chocolate collection, along with sugar-free options, ensuring there’s something indulgent for everyone,” says Sushma Reddy, Founder, Belagio.
Fancy a colour changing gin, NISAKI has one for you! “NISAKI Expressions Passion Fruit Gin captures the vibrant spirit of Diwali perfectly. What makes it unique is its natural transformation. The gin changes colour when mixed with tonic, thanks to the butterfly pea flower; creating a moment that never fails to delight. The passion fruit adds a bright, tropical note that’s both refreshing and beautifully balanced. It’s a gift that lingers in memory, not just for how it looks, but for the joy it brings from the very first pour,” says Sanchit Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO NISAKI (Project Peacock Distilleries Pvt Ltd).
Ice-cream gifting has become the new “cool” for festive hampers quite literally! From artisanal gelatos and frozen mithai mash-ups to curated drool bowls, people want to gift something that feels modern, luxurious, and nostalgic all at once. “Our festive hero this year is “Mithai Magic” a limited-edition flavour that bridges nostalgia with indulgence. It’s a rich Belgian chocolate ice cream layered with roasted kaju, butterscotch crunch, and a buttery swirl reminiscent of your favourite kaju katli. Every bite feels like a festive dessert reimagined creamy, crunchy, chocolatey and unapologetically Indian at heart,” says Chef Shriram Rajendran, Founder & CEO of Cassandra Foods (Scoop Dawg | MAPO Hakka Chinese). Also, Hocco Ice Creams has partnered with Haldiram’s to create two iconic festive flavours Orange Barfi Ice Cream and Milk Cake Barfi Ice Cream. “It’s our way of blending two worlds: Haldiram’s legendary Indian sweets with Hocco’s creamy indulgence. With the Ice Cream Barfi, we’re taking a timeless Indian sweet and giving it a bold, innovative twist turning mithai into something cooler, literally,” adds Ankit Chona.
Today hampers and goody baskets are personalised and carry their own mood as they are designed for the way people live, eat and celebrate. “For the morning ritualist, there are boxes scented with freshly ground coffee, croissant crisps, dark chocolate and almond biscotti. For tea drinkers, there are collections that unfold in notes of Jasmine, honey and shortbread. For the longevity and biohacking lovers, hampers built around nourishment with truffle-roasted nuts, cold-pressed Himalayan honey and nature’s quiet allies like Moringa, Ashwagandha and plant protein. And for those who host, gather and fill their homes with laughter, there are cheese platters that bring together artisanal cheeses, fresh bread, fruit and house-made dips,” concludes Ashni and Avni.