Diwali Toy Gifts

Diwali gifts children actually keep. Not another box of sweets that is gone by Bhai Dooj, but something they can hug, read, light or make — and still have next year.

What to gift, by age

For under-fives, a god soft toy is the easiest gift in the shop. Laxmi Devi is the Diwali one, and at 7 inches she sings five Laxmi mantras at the press of a hand — which is how a small child learns them without anyone sitting down to teach. Baby Krishna, Baby Hanuman, Baby Ganesh and Shiv Shankar come in the same sizes.

For five and up, the craft kits earn their keep in the week before the festival: sand art rangoli, dot mandala boxes, and candle-making sets where children paint the little clay pots first. What they make becomes part of the decoration on the night, which is the whole point.

For eight and up, the Diwali gift combos pair a mantra singing soft toy with its matching story book and a candle or rangoli kit — something to keep, something to read and something to do, in one box.

Gifting to a family

If you are gifting to a household rather than one child, the combos and the larger 11 inch and 22 inch soft toys carry better. For a child's first Diwali, or a first birthday falling near it, the 22 inch plush is the one people remember.

Ordering in time

Festive weeks get busy on the roads. Order early rather than late, and check the stock note on each product — the popular 7 inch soft toys move fastest.