Celebrating without guilt: The rise of health-first festive gifting
By Namrata Kohli
For decades, Diwali gifting was synonymous with pyramids of laddoos, boxes of kaju katli, and overflowing trays of barfi. But 2025 is telling a different story. Urban consumers—especially millennials and Gen Z—are looking beyond sugar-laden sweets and mass-produced hampers. Instead, they are gravitating towards thoughtful, mindful, and wellness-first gifting options.
The new gift economy is driven by health consciousness, a preference for artisanal over industrial, and a desire to make gifting more personal than perfunctory. From sugar-free mithais and protein-rich dry fruit hampers to wellness teas, artisanal honey, handcrafted chocolates, and immunity-boosting superfoods, this year’s festive tables are being reshaped by a blend of indulgence and intention.
As Bharat Shishodia, Centre Head at Lakeshore Mall in Pune, puts it: “We’re seeing a sharp rise in wellness hampers—dry fruits, cold-pressed oils, artisanal teas, organic chocolates, sugar-free mithai, and immunity boosters. Gifting is becoming less about excess, more about thoughtfulness. This festive season, the best gift is good health.”
He adds that the drivers behind this shift are clear. At the forefront is health consciousness, with consumers increasingly seeking wellness foods, organic ingredients, and sugar-free alternatives. Equally important is customization, as hampers are now designed to reflect individual tastes and dietary needs rather than offering one-size-fits-all assortments. Sustainability has also emerged as a strong differentiator, with eco-friendly packaging, artisanal sourcing, and support for women entrepreneurs shaping consumer choices. And finally, there is the element of emotional resonance—gifts that go beyond the transactional to show effort, thought, and a personal connection, making the act of giving more meaningful.
Back to roots
Among the early champions of this shift are small businesses with deep roots in traditional food practices. Deepika Nishant Monga, Proprietor of Omja Oils and Agro, Dwarka, has seen demand rise steadily for her “back-to-basics” hampers.
“Our festive hampers are themed around natural living, wellness, and love for family and friends—because festive wishes should be complemented with healthy choices,” she says. “The bestsellers are organically extracted oils and jaggery, priced between Rs 500 and Rs 4,500. Even exotic variants start as low as Rs 1,500, since we are direct-to-consumer. What sets us apart is that our oils are prepared organically and traditionally—without heat, chemicals, or mixing—so they retain their full nutritional value. For gifting, people should choose natural products like cold-pressed oils and unrefined sugars over fancy sweets and chocolates. If we get back to our roots and make mindful choices, we set the right example for future generations.”
Her comments underline a bigger truth: what was once seen as “everyday kitchen fare” is now being repositioned as aspirational gifting. Oils, jaggery, and unrefined sugars—when branded as organic, artisanal, and authentic—are no longer humble staples but powerful carriers of wellness messaging.
Hotels join the wellness wagon
Luxury hotels, too, are quickly adapting to this new consumer mindset. Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Executive Chef at Jaypee Siddharth, points to a rising demand for hampers that balance indulgence with restraint.
“This season, we’ve curated premium snacking and wellness hampers, blending indulgence with health-conscious choices—artisanal cookies, gourmet nuts, sugar-free delicacies, organic teas, handcrafted chocolates, and festive treats with a contemporary twist. Priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,500, these hampers make luxury gifting attainable for a wider audience,” he explains.
But it’s not just the ingredients; it’s also about the story. “Today’s consumer seeks gifting options that are both meaningful and memorable. They want hampers that tell a story through quality and customization. Our customers can handpick everything—from the box style to individual components and packaging. Whether it’s a wellness-focused hamper or an indulgent festive collection, people want exclusivity and thoughtfulness, not something that feels off-the-shelf.”
This emphasis on bespoke is becoming a key differentiator. Hotels that once relied on standardised boxes of mithai are now creating modular hampers, with customers selecting their preferred blend of teas, nuts, confections, or even décor accents.
Tarang at the Taj
India’s top luxury chains are going even further by merging wellness with heritage and sustainability. Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director – Operations & General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi, describes how Taj has elevated its festive portfolio.
“Festive gifting has become increasingly more intentional, with consumers moving beyond traditional sweets to thoughtful, wellness-led curations. At Taj Mahal, New Delhi, our ‘Tarang – the art of festive gifting’ hampers range from Rs 3,100 to Rs 2,51,000. They feature artisanal mithai, gourmet cookies, signature teas, wellness accents, and fine accompaniments. Guided by the spirit of Paathya, which emphasizes sustainability, heritage, and social responsibility, our wellness hampers also showcase hand-crafted products from partners and women-preneurs who embody these values,” he says.
For the luxury consumer, the price tag is no deterrent if the hamper delivers exclusivity, narrative, and authenticity. The ability to give something that feels both indulgent and ethical—luxury with conscience—has become a compelling proposition.
Gifting as a mirror of relationships
If businesses are focusing on healthier ingredients, individuals are equally focused on injecting personality and meaning into their gifts. Nicky Singh, Image Consultant, with expertise in curating white glove experiences, calls gifting “a mirror of the depth of the relationship.”
She explains: “I think more than projecting myself, while gifting, for me it is more about tabling the thought and heart that has gone to curate that gift. I have always wanted my gifts to have a deeper emotional resonance. If I gift you sweets, even from a renowned brand, you may just be an acquaintance. But if I take time to consider your taste and lifestyle, the gift reflects a deeper connection. Recently I gifted my dearest friend an entire lotus themed dessert set from Nicobar. I knew she had just stepped into her new home and she really wanted something earthy for Diwali. So when you know the person it is easier to understand what will fit naturally into their lifestyle and what will bring them joy of use.”
For Singh, novelty and nostalgia go hand-in-hand. She plans to order bespoke hampers from brands like Arq Mithai, pair them with unique décor pieces from Doft candles, or pick from trusted luxury names like Oma and Good Earth. She also explores hidden craft markets—such as Triveni’s annual Terra Fest, where terracotta figurines and pottery from across India are showcased.
Her dislikes are equally sharp: “Pass-along gifts—generic mithai boxes, fruit baskets, or serveware with no thought—are my pet peeves. Health foods, too, must be chosen wisely. You can’t gift keto or vegan hampers unless the recipient follows that lifestyle. The key is effort. Gifts that show no effort are forgettable.”
Dry fruits redefined
Dry fruits remain a timeless Diwali staple, but they too are being reinvented. Dinika Bhatia, CEO & Founder, Nutty Gritties, highlights how her brand has modernised this classic with contemporary packaging, flavour profiles, and sustainable practices.
“Our bestsellers—the Festive Edition, Luxe Edition, Gold Jar Edition, and Joy Edition gift boxes—balance indulgence with nourishment. Consumers now prefer sustainable tins, reusable keepsakes, and oil-free slow-roasted dry fruits. Exotic hampers, priced Rs 1,500– Rs 5,000, include everything from Medjool dates and Mamra almonds to pistachios, pecans, and mixed berries. Packaging is elegant, airtight, and crafted to lock in freshness. Personalisation is key—choosing a mix that aligns with the recipient’s health goals and taste preferences.”
Dry fruit gifting, once seen as routine, is thus being elevated into a luxury experience, complete with brass bowls, spice-infused trail mixes, and curated assortments that feel far from ordinary.
The bottom line
The festive gifting economy in India is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation. The old tropes of sameness—box after box of mithai, bulk-ordered dry fruits, or pass-along wine bottles—are giving way to gifts that are healthier, more thoughtful, and more personal.
This Diwali, the gift of choice is not just what delights the palate but also what nurtures the body and resonates with the heart. Whether it’s a Rs 500 jar of organic jaggery, a Rs 5,000 luxury dry fruit box, or a Rs 2.5 lakh Taj hamper, the common thread is the same: gifts that carry care, not just calories.
Price Chart: Premium Snacking & Wellness Hampers in 2025
Tier | Price Range (INR) | What You Can Expect |
Entry Level | 1,500 – 3,000 | Compact hampers with 2–3 items such as dry fruits, herbal teas, artisanal chocolates, or sugar-free mithai. Ideal for colleagues or acquaintances. |
Mid Premium | 3,000 – 5,000 | Larger assortments with 4–6 products like wellness teas, protein snacks, artisanal honey, or skincare minis. Balanced mix of health and indulgence, popular for family gifting. |
Luxury / Signature | 5,000 – 15,000+ | Expansive hampers with 8–10+ items such as rare teas, organic saffron, gourmet chocolates, spa essentials, and designer packaging. Positioned as statement gifts for close family, corporate leaders, or premium clients. |
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