Short answer: At Meru Gifting, our Diwali calendar really starts in July, not October. I plan hamper themes in July-August, lock sampling and mock-ups in August-September, and treat the first two weeks of October as the last safe window to place a bulk order. Diwali orders placed inside 4-6 weeks of the festival routinely run into artisan capacity limits.
Updated September 2026.
Why do I start Diwali planning in July?
Because our best artisan partners - the ones doing Moradabad brass diyas, Khurja pottery and Dhokra metal casting - have their own production calendars, and Diwali is peak season for every gifting studio, not just us. If I wait until September to brief a craft partner, I am competing with every other order already in their queue. Starting in July gives us first pick of capacity, not leftover slots.
What actually happens each month, from July to Diwali?
| Month | What we do |
|---|---|
| July | Theme and budget-band planning; shortlist artisan partners and stock items |
| August | Physical mock-ups built and approved; packaging and branding finalised |
| Early September | Client briefs open; we recommend locking quantities by mid-September |
| Late September-early October | Bulk production and hand-assembly in batches of 50 |
| Mid-October | Dispatch across 25+ states; last-mile buffer before the festival |
Deepam Brass Oil Lamp Set of Two₹1999 · MOQ 50 branded
Kamal Metal Lotus Tealight Holder (Set of 2)₹499 · MOQ 50 branded
Kandeel Leather-Handled Jaali Lantern Pair₹2050 · MOQ 50 branded
Phulwari Metal Diya Ring Set with Dry Fruit Pouch₹399 · MOQ 50 branded
What happens if a client comes to us in the last week of October?
We still try, and sometimes it works with in-stock items like steel bottles or PU diaries. What we cannot promise late is anything needing artisan production or heavy customisation - a Kandeel lantern pair or a Pichwai wall scroll needs lead time we simply do not control at that point. I would rather tell a client honestly what is possible in a compressed window than overpromise and under-deliver during the one week of the year clients remember most.
Does the calendar change for multi-city or pan-India teams?
Yes - add two weeks. Dispatch to 25+ states, especially the North-East and smaller towns, needs a longer courier buffer than a single Bangalore office. I tell pan-India clients to treat 6 weeks out as their real deadline, not 4, because a courier delay on 500 addresses is a very different problem to one on 50.
Want your Diwali calendar built for you?
Tell us your headcount and target Diwali date and we will work backwards to a month-by-month plan.
When should I start planning corporate Diwali gifts?
Ideally in July, at least 4-6 weeks before Diwali at the very latest. Artisan-made items and heavily branded orders need the longer lead time.
What is the latest I can place a Diwali hamper order?
In-stock items can sometimes be arranged inside two weeks, but anything needing artisan production should be ordered 4-6 weeks ahead, or 6 weeks for multi-city dispatch.
Does Meru Gifting build a mock-up before Diwali bulk orders?
Yes, always. We build one hamper exactly as it will ship before committing to the full quantity.
How much extra time does pan-India delivery need for Diwali?
Add roughly two weeks over a single-city order to account for courier buffers across 25+ states.
Can I get a GST invoice for a Diwali corporate gift order?
Yes, GST invoices are issued for all orders regardless of size or timeline.
