Diwali gifts: Say no to sweets, try these tips for a guilt-free festive treat this year

Come Diwali and everyone loves to gorge upon mithai and sweets. It’s like the festival is a license (read reason) to listen to your sweet tooth. However, if your or your loved one’s health doesn’t permit sweets, then it can be disheartening. But this should not leave you deprived of gifts. Because there are these crunchy almonds, creamy cashews, sweet apricots, juicy dates, in short dry fruits and nuts that make a delicious go-to gifts.

As more people become mindful of their health, gifting trends are evolving. Instead of handing over boxes of sugary sweets, people now opt for thoughtfully curated dry fruit assortments. Instead of the usual laddoo box, she chooses a premium nut and seed mix packed with superfoods. It’s elegant, nutritious, and shows effort.

“Gifting dry fruits now feels more personal and intentional,” Dinika Bhatia, Founder and  CEO of Nutty Gritties, tells Moneycontrol. “People are looking for gifts that are indulgent yet mindful, luxurious yet thoughtful. Dry fruits, with their rich heritage and health benefits, offer the perfect blend of tradition and today’s wellness-driven choices,” she adds.

Also read | Fun, practical Diwali gifts for those who breathe fitness

Opt for healthy gifts

• Quality over quantity: Not all dry fruits are created equal. A handful of top-quality, handpicked pistachios or dates are far better than a box full of ordinary mixed nuts.

• Packaging that makes a statement: A gift isn’t just about what’s inside — it’s how it’s presented. “Eco-friendly, reusable tins, hand-painted boxes, or even jute pouches with dried fruit assortments make your gift look chic and sustainable,” Bhatia says. Think of a set of cinnamon-dusted almonds in a beautifully designed metal box that can be reused for storing jewellery or spices.

• Offer a little variety: Everyone’s taste is different. While some love salted pistachios, those who are  fitness-obsessed may prefer trail mixes, and others may be obsessed with exotic stuff like cacao nibs or matcha almonds. Choose your gift wisely.

• Interesting assortment: “A few classic favourites, a few gourmet options, maybe even some quirky picks like peri-peri cashews, chocolate coated almonds, or maple-glazed walnuts,” she says. It shows thoughtfulness and effort.

• Make it Personal: A customised gift box can work wonders. “Whether it’s engraving a name on the box or choosing mixes based on someone’s preferences (like sugar-free options for diabetic relatives), a little personalisation goes a long way. You can also get one curated as per your style and their taste,” says Bhatia.

• Guilt-free indulgences: Festive food is often synonymous with overeating and sugar crashes, but it doesn’t have to be. “Gifting dry fruits gives people the option to indulge without compromising on health,” she says, and adds, “For those who refrain from eating barfis, a box of honey-roasted almonds or stuffed dates with pistachio gives the same celebratory vibe, minus the sugar rush.”