There’s no doubt about it. Despite all the numerous cultural and religious events that Delhi witnesses, the festival of lights tops the charts of the most popular festival. Ratieka S. Dhawan lists down some Diwali offerings that will make this year a little more…sweeter!  

A million diyas and lights brighten up the capital this time of the year, making it a complete visual delight! What makes it so special is the chill in the air and the markets packed with shoppers, not to forget the unlimited stock of sweets. If you are tired of the conventional mithai and dry fruits, try one of these options that will be a sure-shot hit with your friends and family.

Mad Over Donuts

These yummy desserts-with-a-hole come in various sizes with the most delightful icings. Take your pick from the custard-filled Bavarian one, chocolate oreo, blueberry or the cinnamon sugar. Say buh-bye to the old-style mithai and get your loved ones a custom-made pack of donuts.

Cupcakes at Cinnabon

Those tiny sugar treats look beautiful and taste even better. We had never thought that cupcakes with frosting will be welcomed with open arms by the Indian palate. But if you have a sweet tooth like us, you cannot miss the season’s special chocolate, vanilla and Red Velvet cupcakes at Cinnabon. You could get a gift pack of their regular offerings combined with the cupcakes, or just the cupcakes. Either way, they won’t stay in the box for too long! (Note: Keep some sugar sprinkles handy at home.)

Bagel’s Hamper

Done with too much sweet? Try a sweet savoury mixed basket from Bagel’s Café. They are offering an assortment of bagels of your choice – homemade cream cheese, stroopwafels (Dutch cookies) and candles in a beautifully packed Diwali basket. Put in a small special note from your side and your Diwali gift is ready.

Grapes and cheese

Why not give this festival a contemporary twist? Make your own gift hamper for your friends and family. Get yourself a fancy tray and head to the departmental store. Pick a bunch of red globe grapes and your choice of cheese bars (Godrej Nature’s Basket or Le Marche have a variety of cheese). Put them together on the tray and pack it neatly with a transparent sheet and pretty ribbons – and you have a did-it-yourself gift! How cool is that?

Dates

The edible kinds, we mean! Bruijn Fine Belgian Chocolates Company is offering gift ideas with hampers of assorted dates. It is a healthy and sweet way to celebrate the festival. Options include a variety of their chocolate and nut-paired hampers. Want to make it extra opulent? Gift the varq-coated chocolates along with fine dates. If your friends ask about this fine idea, just give us come credit.

Assorted chikki

The caramelised gur-coated nuts called chikki always reminds us of winters, except that now it has been reintroduced in fancier avatars. It is available in a combination of ingredients along with assorted nuts. Some interesting varieties include the dry rose petal chikki and the fig chikki (our favourite). Pick one of the assorted chikki hampers and prepare your loved ones for winters.

But most of all, have a Happy Diwali!

There’s no doubt about it. Despite all the numerous cultural and religious events that Delhi witnesses, the festival of lights tops the charts of the most popular festival. Ratieka S. Dhawan lists down some Diwali offerings that will make this year a little more…sweeter!  

A million diyas and lights brighten up the capital this time of the year, making it a complete visual delight! What makes it so special is the chill in the air and the markets packed with shoppers, not to forget the unlimited stock of sweets. If you are tired of the conventional mithai and dry fruits, try one of these options that will be a sure-shot hit with your friends and family.

Mad Over Donuts

These yummy desserts-with-a-hole come in various sizes with the most delightful icings. Take your pick from the custard-filled Bavarian one, chocolate oreo, blueberry or the cinnamon sugar. Say buh-bye to the old-style mithai and get your loved ones a custom-made pack of donuts.

Cupcakes at Cinnabon

Those tiny sugar treats look beautiful and taste even better. We had never thought that cupcakes with frosting will be welcomed with open arms by the Indian palate. But if you have a sweet tooth like us, you cannot miss the season’s special chocolate, vanilla and Red Velvet cupcakes at Cinnabon. You could get a gift pack of their regular offerings combined with the cupcakes, or just the cupcakes. Either way, they won’t stay in the box for too long! (Note: Keep some sugar sprinkles handy at home.)

Bagel’s Hamper

Done with too much sweet? Try a sweet savoury mixed basket from Bagel’s Café. They are offering an assortment of bagels of your choice – homemade cream cheese, stroopwafels (Dutch cookies) and candles in a beautifully packed Diwali basket. Put in a small special note from your side and your Diwali gift is ready.

Grapes and cheese

Why not give this festival a contemporary twist? Make your own gift hamper for your friends and family. Get yourself a fancy tray and head to the departmental store. Pick a bunch of red globe grapes and your choice of cheese bars (Godrej Nature’s Basket or Le Marche have a variety of cheese). Put them together on the tray and pack it neatly with a transparent sheet and pretty ribbons – and you have a did-it-yourself gift! How cool is that?

Dates

The edible kinds, we mean! Bruijn Fine Belgian Chocolates Company is offering gift ideas with hampers of assorted dates. It is a healthy and sweet way to celebrate the festival. Options include a variety of their chocolate and nut-paired hampers. Want to make it extra opulent? Gift the varq-coated chocolates along with fine dates. If your friends ask about this fine idea, just give us come credit.

Assorted chikki

The caramelised gur-coated nuts called chikki always reminds us of winters, except that now it has been reintroduced in fancier avatars. It is available in a combination of ingredients along with assorted nuts. Some interesting varieties include the dry rose petal chikki and the fig chikki (our favourite). Pick one of the assorted chikki hampers and prepare your loved ones for winters.

But most of all, have a Happy Diwali!