The History Of Diwali Gifting: From Traditional Sweets To Modern Hampers

Diwali is one of the most celebrated and endeared festivals in India. The time leading up to Diwali unifies the whole nation together, and the entire country immerses itself in the festival of lights. If we were to look across our demographic diversity, we would see that Diwali rituals vary from region to region, and each ritual has its unmissable charm. 

Talking of rituals, one thing that has stayed common across our cultural fiber is the history of Diwali gifting traditions in India. Wondering why we give gifts on Diwali?  It is such a beautiful way to show your love and appreciation towards the special people in your life. Diwali gift boxes are a way of letting people be a part of your joy, and as it is famously known, happiness multiplies when it is shared.  

The art of Diwali gifting has witnessed an evolution of Diwali gift ideas from sweets to hampers. Traditionally, families would exchange traditional Diwali gifts like statues of Laxmi and Ganesh and homemade treats while wishing for wealth and wisdom for all. 

Although the essence of gifting remains the same, the ambit of choice when it comes to Diwali gift options has expanded to include innovative and personalized hampers that can bring a smile to anyone’s face. With changing times, the choice of Diwali gifts has become a lovely way to show love and care more creatively. To that end, The Zappy Box has a curated collection of some of the best Diwali gifts that will resonate with your gifting aspirations and allow you to cement your relationships in a more meaningful way. 

Traditional Diwali Gifting Practices

Let us go down the memory lane and take a look at what Diwali gifting used to look like in the past:

• Sweets (Mithai)

Mithai is the quintessential Indian sweet! It is like a blanket term for all delicious Indian sweets, from ladoos to gulab jamuns and everything in between. Families used to exchange these treats, and it has been a long-standing tradition. What began as homemade gradually shifted to sweets from a local sweet shop. No matter Wherever the mithai is from, it is sure to add that perfect festive touch to your celebrations!

• Clothes and Jewellery

New clothes and jewellery hold a special place in the Diwali tradition. These Diwali gift items symbolize a fresh start and also convey blessings for prosperity when exchanged as gifts with loved ones. People often give traditional attire like sarees, kurta sets, or jewellery made from gold or silver to wish fortune and success in the coming year.

• Diyas and Silver Coins

Lighting diyas during Diwali represents the victory of light over darkness. Gifting diyas has a deep spiritual significance, as it embodies the message of love, light, and positivity. To that end, decorative ceramic diyas from The Zappy Box are our absolute favorites. 

Just like diyas, silver coins are also a popular Diwali gift option that has continued to stay very relevant over the years, as they symbolize wealth and wisdom. These coins are considered auspicious and are kept safely as a token of good luck. Many people anoint these silver coins with curd and holy water to offer them to Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali celebrations.

The Shift Toward Modern Diwali Gifting

As time passed, the traditional exchange of mithai was replaced by little more sophisticated alternatives: dry fruits and home decor items. 

• Dry Fruits 

This is because, with time, people became more health-conscious, and boxes of Diwali sweets and dry fruits for gifting became a coveted symbol of luxury and wellness. 

These Diwali gift hampers were not sugary and were a healthier gift option. In line with this evolving trend, The Zappy Box offers high-quality dry fruits as a Diwali Gift Hampers option. Their carefully curated boxes are the perfect way to wish loved ones a healthy and prosperous year ahead. If you wish to #CelebrateWithZappyBox, you can opt for our Nutty Treasures hamper that has chocolate-coated almonds, chocolate-curated cashews, vanilla chocolate-curated ladoos, flowers, a greeting card, and a reusable box. 

• Home Decor Gifts

Home decor gifts are also a popular choice for Diwali gifting. These gifts allude to a more aesthetic choice of gifting. The Zappy Box has a wide range of items like decorative candles, diyas, and Diwali home decoration essentials that work wonders for brightening up homes. We truly feel that home decor items are a perfect balance of style and tradition that can bring the spirit of Diwali right into your home.

Modern Trends In Diwali Gifting

In recent years, gourmet delight hampers have become a standout trend, especially among millennials who seek more personalized and memorable gifting experiences. The Zappy Box Team also backs this trend, as they believe that, “Gifting is about creating memorable experiences. Curating hampers that offer a blend of gourmet treats and personalized touches truly elevates the gifting experience.”

The Zappy Box caters to this demand by offering beautifully curated gourmet hampers that combine the essence of tradition with the indulgence of luxury. From personal gifting to corporate Diwali gifting ideas, Zappy’s gourmet gifts and customized Diwali gifts will elevate the charm of your gifting experience, and how! 

Popular Diwali Hampers in 2025

Discover meaningful Diwali gift ideas for all age groups with The Zappy Box’s bestselling festive hampers curated for joy, connection, and celebration.

• Festive Fragrance Essentials

Festive Fragrance Essentials hamper features eco-friendly delights: a set of two half-hammered copper glasses, a soothing coconut shell candle, a flower diffuser, white musk essential oil from Nirmalaya, decorative flowers, and a greeting card, all beautifully packed in a reusable wooden slider box, perfect for creating a calming festive ambiance.

• Diwali Game Night

Ideal for a playful family celebration, Diwali Game Night hamper includes a floral copper bottle, tangy imli pop candies, a potli of mixed dry fruits, poker chip design coasters, premium Zappy playing cards in a festive box, decorative ornaments, and a greeting card, all in a sturdy reusable Diwali box, great for fun and memorable evenings.

• Desi Diwali Fusion 

Desi Diwali Fusion hamper blends traditional and trendy: two half-hammered copper glasses, a Go Desi kaju katli bar (Indian sweet), a golden tin candle with a decorative lotus lid, aromatic potpourri, and a greeting card in a reusable wooden box, bringing a luxurious and festive touch to Diwali gifting.

Corporate Gifting & Customization

Corporate gifting has taken on a whole new dimension in the last couple of years, as it is seen as a thoughtful yet strategic way for businesses to strengthen relationships with their associates. Ayush from the warehouse team of The Zappy Box says,
"At Zappy Box, we pack so many Corporate Diwali gift hampers that if you lined them up, they'd form a gift trail from Delhi to Mumbai!"

Businesses have now started opting for thoughtfully curated Diwali gift hampers that don’t just convey gratitude but also reflect the company’s values. This is why The Zappy Box lets businesses personalize their gourmet hampers. 

With growing awareness around environmental impact, people are opting for eco-friendly gifts and reusable packaging to celebrate the festival more responsibly. 

The Zappy Box is leading the way for the change through eco-friendly packaging and curating gifts that toe the line of these values. The brand truly believes in gifting with a purpose, where the essence of gifting and environmental responsibility are upheld at the same time! 

Why Choose The Zappy Box for Diwali Gifting?

Each Diwali gift is thoughtfully put together to bring together traditional elements with a contemporary touch. The Zappy Box goes above and beyond to ensure your Diwali gift is not only pleasing to the eyes but also meaningful. By adhering to sustainability, functionality, and quality, our curated gift boxes are sure to leave a lasting impression. According to our founder, Prerna Taneja, The sound of hampers being packed in our warehouse is our version of festive jingles—pack, wrap, repeat!

Here are some testimonials from our esteemed clients:

“The Zappy Box has taken the vibe of our corporate Diwali gifts to another level. Our clients are thrilled, and so are we!” - Ankit Saxena. 

“The gourmet snacks are a hit with my family, and we all seem to not have enough of them.” - Radhika Jain.

“We wanted something unique for our Diwali gifts this year, and The Zappy Box team helped us customize each Diwali gift hamper for our employees!  When they promise to deliver, they do so and how!” -  Neha Singh.

Conclusion

Diwali gifting has come a long way from the traditional Diwali gifts of yesteryears to today’s modern hampers. While the core idea remains unchanged, the presentation has undergone a major overhaul. 

The Zappy Box has embraced this transformation beautifully and has gifting options to cater to every taste. 

No matter if you enjoy the age-old customs of gifting or want to go for something new and innovative, we have always got your back.

FAQs

1. Why do people give gifts during Diwali?

People give gifts during Diwali to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to strengthen relationships by expressing appreciation and spreading happiness.

2. What’s the best corporate Diwali gift option this year?

The best corporate Diwali gift option this year is a thoughtfully curated gourmet hamper from The Zappy Box that blends tradition with luxury, personalized touches, and eco-friendly packaging.