India's traditional handicrafts forge a festive comeback as Diwali gifts

Increasingly, heritage products from India's regional artisans are making a wave as handpicked festival gifts, especially for people who want their presents to tell a story

This Diwali, the sparkle isn’t just in the fairy lights or the glittering gold jewelry. It’s in gifts that tell a story. Families across India are moving away from imported candles, mass-produced crockery, and boxes of chocolates of predictable origin. Instead, they are gravitating toward presents rooted in Indian craft traditions: handwoven stoles, terracotta diyas, bamboo baskets, and Dokra artefacts.

 

The gifting hampers don’t just offer beautiful objects — they carry a deeper purpose: they celebrate the skill, heritage, and authenticity of India’s weaving clusters. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged: “Gifts should be those made in India, attire