Here Is Your Foolproof Guide to DIY Diwali Gift Hampers to Light Up Your Guests’ Faces

Nothing beats homemade gift hampers especially during festivals like Diwali. The return gifts of childhood birthday parties might be long gone, but these can fill in for the joy that is largely absent in the mundanity of adulthood. Happy Diwali!

There is nothing that feels more like a warm hug than handmade goodies that are edible and have chocolate in them. The festival of lights is the perfect time for you to venture out of your comfort zone and bake a batch of cookies dipped in chocolate, roll truffles and make granola bars. These can be the center of your Diwali gift hamper along with other goodies and candies.

You can always take the easy way out and fill a basket or box with assorted chocolates like Cadbury Dairy Milk, 5 Star, Bournville and Dairy Milk Silk and tie the hamper box with colorful ribbons. But we recommend going the handmade goodies way that will bring a smile to the recipient’s face.

1. Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 200 gm dark chocolate, broken into pieces
• 100 ml heavy cream
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder for rolling

Instructions:

• Heat cream in a small saucepan until it’s simmering.
• Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir until it’s smooth.
• Stir in the butter. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until it’s firm.
• Scoop teaspoonfuls and roll into balls. Roll in cocoa powder.
• Place in cellophane bags. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

2. Chocolate Dipped Fruit and Nuts

Ingredients:

• 200 gm chocolate chips
• 150 gm mixed berries, banana slices, pretzels, nuts

Instructions:

• Line a baking tray with baking paper.
• Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
• Holding by the stem, dip fruits into the chocolate using a fork.
• Place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle nuts with salt if desired.
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes until set. Store in an airtight container until they are ready to be packed into their hampers.

3. Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:

• 400 gm condensed milk
• 250 gm white sugar
• 100 gm butter
• 100 gm cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Grease an 8 x 8 inch pan.
• In a saucepan, bring condensed milk, sugar, and butter to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Boil for 5 minutes without stirring.
• Remove from the heat and stir in cocoa powder and vanilla until it’s smooth.
• Pour into the prepared pan. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

4. Chocolate Dipped Cookies

Ingredients:

• 200 gm Dairy Milk Silk chocolate (chopped)
• 1 pack of store-bought cookies (sugar, oatmeal, raisin)

Instructions:

• Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
• Holding by the edge, dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate.
• Place on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt or sprinkles if desired.
• Refrigerate until set, for about 30 mins.
• Store in an airtight container.

5. Chocolate Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 150 gm muesli
• 100 gm chocolate chips or chopped Cadbury Dairy Milk bars
• 50 gm roasted almonds or peanuts, chopped
• 100 gm honey
• 50 gm butter

Instructions:

• Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with baking paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the honey and butter. Heat over medium flame, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in the muesli, chocolate chips (or chopped Cadbury bars) and nuts until fully coated.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer using a spatula or the back of a spoon.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set.
• Lift the bars out of the pan using the overhanging baking paper and cut them into squares.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge

Assembling the Hampers

To get started, gather the base materials—baskets, boxes, cellophane bags or jars to hold the goodies. Decorate the exterior with ribbons, stickers, colored paper or design using sturdy acrylic paints, that come in small piping containers, for a festive Diwali look.

Prepare the chocolates beforehand, at least a couple of days before they are to be distributed, to save time. Consider finishing any goodies that need refrigeration like the fudge or granola bars. Cut or break into desired sizes once the baking is done.

Lay a base layer in your container of one or two chocolate item types. For a basket, this could be a bed of granola bars or fudge squares. For a jar, start with a layer of candies or small chocolate bites and the dipped fruits and nuts.

Continue alternating layers of the different homemade chocolates. Make sure to mix up the textures, flavors and colors. Fill in any gaps so the items don't shift during transport.

Once the hamper is full and looks beautifully filled to the top, tie it together with a final bow or decorative cellophane wrap. Attach a tag with a sweet note, the recipient's name and optional baking/storage instructions.

Repeat to assemble the remaining gift packages. The assortment of handcrafted chocolates in festive packaging makes a thoughtful Diwali gift that will be enjoyed long after the celebrations.