As the year creeps to a close, a special occasion draws near. Those who are of the Hindu, Jain or Sikh faith hold this time of year in high regard as it has a special place in their hearts. For, the 14th to the 15th of November is Diwali! And the NetFlorist Bunch has put together one of our gift guides to help you find the best gifts for Diwali!
What is Diwali? Who celebrates it?
What is Diwali? Diwali is the name given to the festival of lights, and the word “Diwali” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali,” which means “rows or series of lit lamps.” Diwali represents to Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism a time of joy and festivities. The Diwali celebration commemorates the victory of the forces of light over the forces of darkness, and the triumph of good over evil.
Those who partake in celebrating Diwali in South Africa decorate their homes (as well as public areas) with small lamps called “diyas”. This is to honour Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, and to help guide her into people’s homes. It is a tradition for homes to be cleaned thoroughly before Diwali, to engage in a three-oil cleansing bath, and to buy new clothes to wear during celebrations. Other important aspects of this wonderful celebration are the exchanging of gifts and sweets, worship, enjoying delicious feasts, and cherishing your family.
And for those of Hindu faith, Diwali is celebrated with the lighting of “diyas” and the gifting of delicious Diwali treats and eats. According to legend, diyas were used to celebrate the return of Lord Rama, an incarnation of the God Vishnu, after his victory over the demon king Ravana – symbolising the victory of light over darkness.
But what is Diwali gifting all about?
Diwali is a special time of year to come together and rejoice in the beauty of life, and the prosperity of good over evil. In the spirit of coming together, NetFlorist has put together a range of Diwali gift ideas that will make this spectacular occasion a little brighter. What better way is there to send your Diwali wishes for a happy Diwali than by sending your loved ones some generous gifts during this wonderful time of year?
And the best part is, you don’t have to celebrate Diwali 2020 yourself to partake in the gift-giving! If you are inspired by how these communities come together to commemorate Diwali in South Africa, it may be the perfect time to send a loved one who does celebrate Diwali a thoughtful present. So, whether you celebrate the occasion annually, or just want to support someone who does, check out our top gift ideas for Diwali!
Our Top Gifts for Diwali
A gift of candles will light the way:
The Sanskrit word Diwali is derived from, Deepavali, translates to mean “rows of lit lamps”. You won’t need to search for Diwali lamps to send your nearest and dearest, as we have a range of “diyas” in the form of spectacular scented and non-scented candles. These candles are perfect to adorn the home, or frequently used public areas, of those who wish to honour Lakshmi, and welcome prosperity and wealth. Their elegant and clean design make them an ideal gift for any, and will make for a memorable Diwali greeting.
If the thought of sending Diwali gift hampers excites you, we also have a selection of bath and body gifts to get your loved one feeling pampered and relaxed. With items like personalised gowns, cosmetics bags, and body products like body scrub from Charlotte Rhys, your friends and family will feel as if they were on a trip to the spa.
Diwali flowers to brighten their day:
A tradition some may have when waking up on Diwali in India, is to rush to the flower market to buy floral garlands to wear throughout the day. And while your loved ones may not be able to smell the incredible scents of fresh flowers like jasmine at the Ghazipur flower market in New Delhi, you could take advantage of this for the best Diwali gifting ideas in South Africa. Imagine the look on your loved one’s face, as they receive a bouquet of Diwali flowers. It will be as if they are transported to the streets of Delhi, to enjoy the fragrant aromas and bursting colours.
You may be wondering where to buy Diwali flowers online, and the answer is… us! Whether you want to sort by flower vases or by flower types (like gerbera daisies), we’ve got you covered. We’re the best place to order flowers online for delivery in South Africa, you know! Just don’t forget to browse all our flower gifts and hampers.
A present of Diwali food to make them sway:
Our Diwali food gifts will be sure to get the celebrations off to a good start! Whether you’re looking Diwali biscuits, or a non-traditional gourmet snack hamper of dried fruit and nuts, this is the place to look! Keep in the theme of sweet eats, and treat them to delicious cakes and bakes from The Bakery at NetFlorist. Diwali is a day to enjoy such snacks as samosas, murukku or aloo bonda, so we decided to put our twist on the food for this occasion! Our Diwali food gifts will tickle your loved one’s tastebuds in terrific ways!
(Pssst! We also have other gourmet food gifts! Help them appreciate the prosperity and wealth found in nature with a picnic basket. It’s up to you!)
A gift of clothing to wear to every day:
It is traditional in India to purchase new clothes for the occasion – such as sarees, or kurta and dhoti. While you may be wearing your sarees or kurta to mandir, NetFlorist’s online clothes store boasts a wide variety of men’s and ladies’ clothing (as well as kids’ clothing and baby clothes) to wear during the celebrations as they continue late into the night. Our printed t-shirts and hoodies may not be crafted from silk, but they are high-quality items your family members and friends will be able to wear throughout their day of celebration. Diwali gifting ideas don’t have to be hard to come by! If you see something which you think they’ll love to receive this Diwali, then send it to them as a gift! What do you have to lose?
A closing note:
Diwali is a beautiful occasion. It is the celebration of light, life and the perseverance of good over hardships, troubles and evils. It symbolises how many communities can come together to create an inclusive and welcoming occasion. We may all have our own busy lives, but we can still come together to rejoice and uplift all that is good and light. So, join in the festivities of this incredible occasion. Choose one of our gift ideas for Diwali to send to your nearest and dearest.
