Aroma therapy
“Though, I’m not somebody who celebrates Diwali with gusto, I ensure everything I gift has a smattering of love added on! I’m not a “sweets” person, so, instead of the regular eats, my Diwali hamper usually is filled with personalised items like scented candles, essential oils and fragrant creams that would instantly perk up one’s mood!
— Sindhu Loknath, Sandalwood actress
Pataka parcels!
“More than the sweets and chocolates that I receive every Diwali, I’m always most excited about receiving crackers. I absolutely love bursting them and am going to be celebrating this Diwali with my family, and an eagerly awaiting some 100 chain and 1,000 chain crackers, and let it just burst away! I also usually get a lot of traditional sweets like obbattu and modaks thanks to which, I inevitably loose my diet for a day!
— Nabha Natesh, Sandalwood actress
Trinket it
“I’m giving small and cute looking crystal candlestands, diet sugar free sweets, wine bottle and a small piece of Rubans fashion jewellery in my Diwali gift hamper this year.”
– Chinu Kala, entrepreneur
Choco-Blocked
“I like to gift something different in my Diwali gift hamper every year. This year, my friends will find gift bags and different kind of offbeat stationery in my hampers. Also scented candles in jars. Then there are also potlis with almonds, and the potlis can be used later to parties as cute, kitschy handbags. I’m also sending chocolates in elegant boxes that can be used as jewellery boxes later.”
— Ravina Belani, socialite and designer
Diya does it
“For me, Diwali is about Indian sweets, so my gift hamper will never be without a box of my favourite dry jamoons, which I don’t like to change. I add some variations of diyas, small-sized box canvas of paintings and handcrafted cookies and homemade chocolates. Also, there are so many lovely gifts made by NGO’s at moderate prices that can make your hamper really interesting.”
– Deepa Ramsubramanian, art gallery owner
