The great thing about when Diwali is, is that it coincides with new/repackaged product launches for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Were Diwali in March, my suggestions would be borderline boring. As Diwali is the main spending festival for Indians, most of my suggestions do not come cheap. The intention is you pick and choose some or even just the one inspirational product. If only men were so attractive and inspirational.
Enjoy shopping.
“I want to buy you something nice, but I don’t want to spend a fortune on you” gifts
Personally, I think an expensive and tasteful candle ticks all the boxes. As Europe returns to a lockdown in many countries, individuals will be spending a lot of time indoors and I love the smell of these candles.
From left to right,
Esteban Neroli Refillable scented candle (Euros 25 for 170g). Fragrance note is mainly Neroli. Available at Maison Parfum for Euros 25, and Ounass for AED 170
Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Candle (US$62 for 165g). “Features a warm, relaxing floral fragrance that combines notes of lily of the valley, patchouli, iris, and white musk.” Available at Nordstorm, Ounass and Bloomingdales ME
Lava Amal Small Cube Candle (AED 200 for 230g). Floral, oriental fragrance profile. Available at Ounass online
Acqua di Parma La Casa sul Lago Candle (£54 for 50 hours burn time). Features notes of Calabrian Bergamot, Lily of the Valley, Cyclamen, Aquatic Notes, Musk, and Amber. Available at Acqua di Parma online
The second category of gifts falling under this, are homeware and these are a few of my favourites
- From left to right
Silsal set of 6 Arabic cups (AED 326). Available at Bloomingdales
Set of 4 Azure coasters (INR 2,800). Available at Address Home
Glass bottle (400ml) with what looks like a cherry blossom cap. (US$55) Available at Good Earth
Himalayan wildflower inspired printed glassware set of 4. Available at Good Earth
Difficult to please candidate gifts (e.g.) best friend’s wife and mother-in-law, both of whom believe its their birth-right to give you fashion advice
It may come as a revelation to you (not quite in the biblical sense), but of equal magnitude, that Hermes have lines of beautiful (and extortionately priced) homeware.
I love these H Deco Set of 6 mini cups (Available online at Hermes for AED 1,865 for 6). These are expensive, so be sure they are for your actual and not intended mother-in-law
There is probably nothing, I can get for my best-friend on Diwali that his wife will not roundly condemn as inappropriate. Why only two champagne glasses was the question I was confronted with last time? Well, I come prepared with three crystal votives (to confuse the hell out of you). These are wonderful for Diwali. (Available at Selfridges. US$143 for 3)
Functioning alcoholic friends (and their partner) gifts
There has been an uptick in wine drinking and this is not about to change. This trend spans the globe and my friends living in all four corners will vouch for their increased wine consumption.
I am concerned that most of my friends that are functioning alcoholics are having wine in the wrong glasses. I discovered Riedel when I was living in Switzerland. When the French, German and Italians all agree that you can’t beat a Riedel glass for wine tasting/drinking/guzzling down, you are on to a winner.
Available at Riedel online for Euros 45+shipping
Similarly, I assure you that this Waterford decanter (US$ 410), will go down a treat. Available at Selfridges.
As will, this cocktail shaker from Good Earth (US$ 65 ) and very dinky cocktail stirrer/stick things (US$ 45)
People you love and/or like and want to give something unique
This category has one listing because, people you genuinely love should be few in number. Remember that you are an ordinary human being and not aspiring Dalai Llama or Sadhguru.
These are Anjali Hanging Diyas, and I like them not only because they are my namesake but also because I think that they’d make excellent fragrance carriers. Their purpose is entirely lost as hanging diyas…
Both silver and metal coloured available at Good Earth online. Available at US$ 195
See also: Diwali gifts – 7 last minute buys