Short answer: With ₹1 lakh for 100 employees, I'd budget ₹850–₹950 per person and spend it on one strong hamper — a brass diya or lotus tealight piece, a festive sweet-free treat, and a personal note — rather than splitting it across three small items. At Meru Gifting this is the mix I actually recommend to clients every Diwali.
Updated September 2026.
How would I actually spend ₹1 lakh on Diwali gifts for 100 people?
I'd put roughly ₹85,000–₹90,000 into the gifts themselves, and keep ₹10,000–₹15,000 for packaging, printing and delivery. That works out to about ₹850–₹900 per person before GST. I've seen companies try to stretch ₹1 lakh across 150 people by cutting the per-person spend to ₹600 — the gift ends up feeling thin, and nobody remembers it by December. Fewer, better gifts beat more, forgettable ones.
What would I actually put in the hamper?
One anchor piece and one edible or usable add-on. My go-to anchor is the Deepam Brass Oil Lamp Set at ₹1,999 for a leadership tier, or the Kamal Metal Lotus Tealight Holder at ₹499 for a company-wide gift where the budget has to stretch. Both are handcrafted, both photograph well for the "thank you" post on LinkedIn, and neither ends up in the bin on 2 November.
What if the budget has to cover both employees and clients?
Split the ₹1 lakh two ways rather than giving everyone the same thing. For a typical 100-person mix — say 80 employees and 20 key clients — I'd put ₹500–₹600 per employee into something like the Pushpanjali Metal Floral Tealight Holder at ₹199 paired with a small sweet box, and reserve ₹1,500–₹2,000 per client for the Ganapati Aangan Terracotta Ganesha Diya Set at ₹1,950. Clients remember the gift that felt considered; employees remember that everyone got something good.
Deepam — Brass Oil Lamp Set of Two₹1,999
Kamal Metal Lotus Tealight Holder (Set of 2)₹499
Pushpanjali Metal Floral Tealight Holder₹199Ganapati Aangan Terracotta Ganesha Diya Set₹1,950
Tridev Aarti — Brass Lakshmi Ganesh Saraswati Aarti Set₹699
Enamel Brass Coaster Dabara Set₹1,999
How far ahead should the order actually go in?
4–6 weeks before Diwali, without exception. I say this every year and someone still calls me in the second week of October asking for 200 hampers by Friday. Brass and terracotta pieces are handcrafted in batches — Moradabad brass work and terracotta diyas both need lead time, and packaging in your brand colours adds another few days. Mid-September to early October is when this budget should already be signed off.
What does ₹1 lakh actually buy across the price bands?
| Per-person spend | What it buys | Recipients for ₹1 lakh |
|---|---|---|
| ₹199–₹499 | Tealight holder or small diya, festive card | 200–500 |
| ₹850–₹950 | Brass or terracotta hamper anchor + sweet box | ~100 |
| ₹1,950–₹2,999 | Leadership-tier showpiece, boxed and personalised | 33–50 |
What would your Diwali budget actually stretch to?
Planning this Diwali's budget?
Tell us your headcount and total budget and we'll put together a hamper mix with real prices within a day.
How much should I budget per employee for Diwali gifts?
₹850–₹950 per person for a well-rounded hamper is a good default; token gestures start at ₹199–₹499 and leadership pieces run ₹1,950 and above.
What is the MOQ for a branded Diwali hamper?
50 pieces for branded packaging and inserts. Artisanal pieces like brass diyas can be ordered in smaller runs since each is already handmade.
How early should I place a Diwali corporate gifting order?
4–6 weeks before Diwali. Brass, terracotta and packaging all need production time, and October is our busiest month.
Can Diwali hampers be split between employees and clients on one budget?
Yes — I usually recommend a lower per-person spend for company-wide employee gifts and a higher one for a shorter client list.
Do Diwali hampers come with GST invoices?
Yes, every order is billed with a GST invoice, and we're a registered GeM vendor for government and PSU clients.
