Markets ripen with eats and treats galore. Flowers everywhere and fireworks create a roar. The streets are tinted with happy colours and the air carries a festive flutter. There is so much new and even more to do, so we make the task easier for you.
SWEET ROUNDOFF
These modern interpretations of barfi come in the form of Bubble Gum Popping barfi and Strawberry Cheesecake barfi, both made of oats.
Price: Rs 575 onwards
@ Blisss Barfi, London.
Orders: BlisssBarfi.com
HAPPY HAMPER
These panniers have put together some of the most enticing treats, including Millet Red Rice Chevdu, Himalayan Walnuts, Vanilla and Coffee Truffles, Cranberry and Timur White Chocolates. Price: Rs 1,299 onwards
@ Andaz Delhi
Unboxing INDULGENCE
This hamper includes Indian sweets, dry fruit cake, Ganesha idol and more. Price Rs 3,200 plus taxes @ JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity
Indian bites
Don’t count the calories, count the goodness. Mouthfuls of barfis,pedas and ladoos bring sweet conversations alive. These are made with desi ghee, sans artificial colouring or flavouring agents.
Price: Rs 250 onwards @ Khoya, Delhi
Express dessert
PizzaExpress introduces festive desserts such as Chocolate Fudge Cake, Cheesecakes and Dough Balls with Nutella.
Price: Rs 295 onwards
@ PizzaExpressoutlets, India
Healthy high
Rasing a toast to healthy drinking this Diwali is Naughty 30, a cocktail that combines Caribbean Rum, coconut water, preservative-free lavender syrup, lime juice, garnished with edible flowers.
Price: Rs 395 @ Molecule, Delhi
Nawabi andaaz
Bringing you the deliciousness of dum nihari gosht, Darun Biryani, galouti kababs, phirni and more, in festive packages for your party.
Price: Rs 750 onwards @ Biryani By Kilo, Delhi
Big box of brags
You’re spoilt for choice with Foodhall’s boxes and hampers that include delectable eats. Some of these are Pink Peppercorn and Chives Cream Cheese, Sicilian Sweet Olives and Lindt Swiss Thins. All hampers are customisable.
Price: Rs 1,500; Foodhall, Delhi
Dil hai hindustani
The Gold Thali comes stacked with all Indian quintessential favourites.
Price: Rs 269 plus taxes @ Swad- Desh Videsh Ka
The halwai shops
Honouring tradition
"At Haldiram’s, we honour bequest and that’s why people come to us expecting the
same sweets over and over again. More than new, they want the old. Therefore, this
Diwali, our rasgullas, gulab jamuns, soan papdi and namkeens continue to reign."
K Sankar, Senior Manager, Haldiram’s, Chennai
Custodian of a legacy
“I am aware that things are rapidly changing and trends dominate preferences, but at Bikanervala, people come to us looking for classics. This year too, our highest-selling sweet will be the Shahi Kaju Burfi, an adaptation of the Kaju Burfi that we are the pioneers of. Anjeer Bites will see a high in sales."
Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, Managing Director, Bikanervala
What’s trending
IN festive SPIRITS
“From offerings as prasad to parties, jalebi is synonymous with Diwali. The sweet now turns naughty with our Boozy Jalebi at Local, Connaught Place. We’ve added a bit of vodka for that extra zing.” Umang Tewari, Owner, Local and The Junkyard Cafe, Delhi
Guilt-free binge
“Putting together two of the healthiest ingredients—oats and apple, Lazeez Affaire presents a phirni that will never be looked at with guilt again.” Priyank Sukhija, Owner, Lazeez Affaire, Tamasha, Lord of the Drinks and others
The old new
“With the nostalgia surrounding my grandmother’s motichoor ladoos, and my love for cheese, I've put the two together to craft Motichoor Cheesecake this Diwali.” Inderjeet Singh Banga, Owner, Prankster and Pra Pra Prank, Delhi
Vegan bandwagon
“With people becoming so conscious about health, we’ve introduced gluten- and dairy-free desserts such as green moong dal and almond barfi; vegan dates and almond mix, and granola bars.” Malika Suri, Owner, Mimansa, Azure Hospitality Pvt Ltd
FUSION FLAVOURS
“Cupcakes get a Diwali makeover with options such as Kaju Katli, Gulab Jamun, Gajar Ka Halwa and Motichoor.” Sarah Zia Adeel, Owner, Fluff In a Cup, Kochi
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
“French tart and Indian gajar ka halwa come together in a union of sweet memories. We make it with khoya and rabri, and then add a delicious mascarpone cheese, rabri and blueberry frosting.” Michael Saju, Executive Chef, Radisson
Blu Resort Temple Bay, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
Light it Up
HANG IN THERE
This chandelier made with matt black brass, finished with metal clear glass shade and filament bulbs, hangs as bright sparks from the decor universe.
Price: Approx. Rs 45,000;
Oma living, Delhi
PUT TO TABLE
Copper Metal Aasim lamp that exudes ambient light through the various perforations on its body.
Price: Rs 3,990; Fabindia.com
Gorgeous GLEAM
Metal urlis, mirror tea-light candle stands, lanterns and more, are here to light up your abode.
Price: Rs 1,000 onwards;
Homestruck6 on Facebook
and Instagram
Decor cart
Festive flair extends itself to candle stands, wooden base lamps, sectional seating, mirrors and more.
Price: Rs 12,000 onwards; MADS Creations, Sohna Road, Gurugram
JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
A portable lamp inside recyclable paper book, emitting ambient light. It is USB-chargeable and lasts up to six hours.
Price: Rs 3,499; Openhue.com
NATURE OF THINGS
A butterfly and foliage Papillon Gold T-Light Holder glistens as the light emanates from its laser-cut core.
Price: Rs 590; Address Home, Chennai
WHIFF OF SUBLIMITY
The olfactories will rejoice with this fragrance candle that has top notes of raspberry, rose and oud.
Price: Rs 1,600; Bombayperfumery.com
Flower flourish
Ruby pink and golden table lotus votives crafted with handblown glass.
Price: Rs 3,500; Klove Studio, J2, Green Park, Delhi
In good light
A contemporary crooked chandelier with a black centre frame highlighting its formlessness beautifully.
Price: Rs 22,500; Ansavv Luxury Re-defined, Adhchini, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Delhi; Ansavv.com
Marigold mystique
A chandelier with a collection of strings of white glass with marigold-like motifs at the bottom end.
Price: Rs 22,95,000; SS-gd.com
Divine stance
Ganesh Srishti comes in sterling silver. It has an anti-tarnish protection. The product also comes with a maintenance manual.
Price: Rs 16,696.30; N-10, GK-1 Market, Delhi;
Episodesilver.com
SEASON’S STYLE
Traditional silhouettes with contemporary embroideries are a hot festive trend. An additional pop of colour and statement jewellery go a long way in getting the look right.
Price: Rs 8,500,
Clove, Mumbai
Things heat up
Ceramic trivets with red floral motifs take care of your hot plates during card parties and get-togethers.
Price: Rs 500;
Cannanoreshop.in
Silver stunners
A set of silver sprayed cookie jars and tea-light votive with wired flowers, atop a distressed wooden platter.
@ Little Miss Makes, Chennai
CHEERING TO good times
Plated in brass, this bevel-edged tray has been crafted using a sheet of steel and later antique-finished.
Price: Rs 1,700; The Lohasmith, Chennai
SILVER LINING
An embodiment of auspiciousness is this sterling silver kalash with coconut and leaves in a glossy finish.
Price: Rs 1,10,000;
Argentorsilver.com
Floral fantasy
Specially curated flowers with tea-light votives, small lanterns and candles come boxed and ribboned as fine gifts for others, as well as for yourself.
Price: Rs 1,400; @ BBloom; Orders: 9910052138
TEA TALES
Here is a set of six arches with a base that serve up as a tea tray called Meharaab, with six coasters that double as saucers.
Price: Rs 3,650; Outlind.studio
BEST FOOT FORWARD
Vibrant colours, sparkles, prints, mirror work and embroideries define vogue this season.
Price: Rs 2,700; fizzygoblet.com
POT OF SCENT
Handcrafted potpourri that comes with lavender essential oil that replenishes the fragrances twice.
Price: Rs 400;
Insideoutinnovativedesigns.com
BLOOM ABOUND
Set of two silver-shine-vases with artificial pink blooms with foliage.
@ Hermosa Casa, Andheri (W),Mumbai
The influencers
Keshav Suri, Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation, Delhi
Plan of action: To sleep. With my crusade against Section 377, I now need to relax and let love rule.
Fond recall: Dad cooking kali dal and bhel puri.
Bad combination but still gourmet.
Festive hum: ‘Celebration’ by Madonna
Biggest binge: Cham Cham
Anubha George,
Yoga teacher, Kochi
Plan of action: Will put my feet up and let my parents relatives fatten me with mithai and namkeen
Fond recall: My mother waking me up at 4 am on Roop Chaudas day to apply a beauty face mask. The earlier one applied it, the prettier one get, she believed.
Festive hum: ‘Guncha Koi’ by Mohit Chauhan, and ‘Mere Ghar Aayi ek Nanhi Pari’ from Kabhi Kabhie
Biggest binge: Besan papdi and every type of sweets
Meera Gandhi,
Founder, The Giving Back Foundation
Plan of action:
I will be at a Sadhguru retreat.
Fond recall: Family lighting fireworks. My mum inviting our favourite cousins.
Festive hum:
‘Chaiyya chaiyya’ from Dil Se
Biggest binge:
Badam barfi
Rubi Chakravarti, Actor, writer
and corporate nurturer
Plan of action: Put cotton in my ears and stay away from everyone bursting crackers
Fond recall: Being surrounded by matti ka diyas (earthen lamps) which we would paint and decorate, and then for which, we’d make cotton wicks. When all of these were lit, our home looked better than Mysore palace.
Festive hum: ‘Shava shava’ from
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Biggest Binge: Kalakhand and Bengali sweets