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The Top Three Websites Selling Handmade Gifts in India

It's Hand Made

Source www.facebook.com

A lot of people prefer DIY. It is a very sweet thing to make a gift on your own and even sweeter to actually customise it. Most of the recipients appreciate such kind of gifts.

There are a lot of different websites who sell handmade things. One of them is itshandmade.in. This particular website is like a market place for people who make handmade things. It is because they connect the sellers and buyers on one platform.

This website is one of the largest community in India for buying and selling handmade goods. So, even if you are not an artist yourself, there is no need to worry. You can always browse itshandmade.in and choose an nice gift for your loved ones.

Crafts Villa

Source www.craftsvilla.com

The other website that you can definitely check out is craftsvilla.com. It has a lot of unique products from all over India. The best part is that they focus more on regional products which are either vintage, handmade, traditional or organic.

Thus, the website gives you a lot of options to choose from. The best part of this website is that it has products ranging from Rs.500 and then going higher. The products are crafted by Indian artisans and they definitely look very unique.

From Where to Get Inspiration for Handmade Diwali Gifts

Read DIY Blogs

The best inspiration that you can seek for DIY gifts is to read blogs. A lot of bloggers are constantly creating new projects and posting it on their site. Plus, they have the supplies and method mentioned clearly. So, it is a good idea to refer to them.

There are ample of blogs on the internet and it might get intimidating to look for the best ones. Thus, we have picked some for you.

Do check these out and find some inspiration for your Diwali gift:

  • How to Geek
  • Bob Vila
  • Ana White
  • Sparkfun
  • Hackaday

Watch DIY YouTube Videos

The other thing to do while opting for DIY gifts is to check YouTube. This platform has a lot of bloggers, forming their channels and showing different crafts. Also, there are different channels dedicated to different activities.

From paper crafting, jewllery making, card making to DIY's, the scope is ample. Some of the channels to check out are: the crafts channel, polymer clay tutor and DIY jewllery. All these tutorials just need basic supplies and so it will be really easy for you to make your own DIY gift.

Check Out Pinterest

Source in.pinterest.com

Pinterest is a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration. You can find almost anything on this medium. There are a lot of bloggers posting different things on Pinterest and showing varied methods to do the same.

You can either browse the crafts section or check the recipes available. It totally depends on what kind of handmade gift you want to make. Apart from those, you can also take visual ideas from Pinterest and ask an artist or designer to customise it for you. This can be done if you are not wanting to DIY.

10 Handmade Diwali Gifts for Your Loved Ones

Bangle Candle Holder

Source www.worldofkhushi.com

Diwali is a festival of lights and so making some innovative candle holder is a good idea. The recipient will not only appreciate it but can they can also use it in Diwali decorations. Try being creative and innovative. One such good idea is to make a candle holder from bangles.

Bangle Candle Holder

What you need:
  • Coloured bangles
  • Glue

How to make it:
  • Take the bunch of different coloured bangles. Apply glue on one and then stick the other bangle to it.
  • Now, take the other bangle and stick it on the second bangle. Then, take one more bangle and stick it on the other three bangles. Continue this process till the desired amount of length. Choosing 20-25 bangles is a good idea. You can make it shorter or longer as per your choice.
  • Let the whole bunch dry. Once, that is done you can place t-light candles inside the bangles and use it as an innovative candle holder.
  • Never use hot glue gun to stick the bangles as it might break them. Alternatively, you can also use LED candles.

Decorative Plates

Source www.artplatter.com

Decorative plates or pooja thalis are used in Diwali a lot. There are number of rituals that are performed during Diwali and such plates are used to perform them. Thus, gifting a plate in this festival seems like a very good idea. Instead of buying it from the market, try making one this time.

Decorative Plate

What you need:
  • Steel or plastic thali
  • Acrylic paints
  • Decorative material like kundan or beads
  • Clear varnish
  • Paint brushes

How to make it:
  • Take a hard plastic or steel plate and try using a medium sized plate.
  • Then, paint the whole plate using acrylic colour of your choice. Make sure that you do two to three coats on the plate to give it a finished look.
  • You could then paint a bold motif in the center of the plate in a contrasting colour. You can also choose to just decorate the plate with craft mirrors or kundan and plastic gems .
  • When gifting a thali in Diwali, you can choose to paint a symbol of Aum or a diya in the middle. It is very easy and traditional.
  • Lastly, do not forget to apply a clear coat of varnish and allow it to dry.

Table Lamp

Source simplecraftidea.com

Gifting home decor items on Diwali is a good idea. There is a ritual to clean houses before Diwali and thus, people throw their old or broken items away. This leads them to buying new things in the decor sector as well. So, this Diwali instead of getting a ready made item, choose for a creative DIY.

How to Make a Table Lamp

  • Things you will need
  • Cardboard and paper
  • Ruler and pen or pencil
  • Drag
  • Glue
  • Chain lights, bulbs, powercord

Method:
  • Draw a large pentagon of 6cm on a cardboard. After that, draw 5 small pentagons inside. Seperate each by a distance of 6 mm.
  • Draw 10 more pentagons like these. Use knife to cut them out.
  • Keep the largest pentagon below and stick one on top of the other. Use different angles to place each pentagon on top of the other.
  • Paste all the remaining pentagons in the same way. Then secure all of them in a circle.
  • After that, draw a 16 cm pentagon for the edge. Then draw one more pentagon inside ot, leaving 6 mm gap. Draw 7 more pentagons like these and cut them with a knife. Paste all the peantagons together.
  • Draw one more 6 cm pentagon on the cardboard. Draw a small circle in the middle and the cut the circle out. Attach the light chains in the middle.
  • Now, paste the pentagon with a hole on the eight recent stuck pentagons. Using a knife, cut a small slit below for the condulit.
  • Pate the ball of pentagons on this base and then mount the light bulbs and sockets.

Fusion of Tea

Source www.diynetwork.com

Know someone with a passion for tea? Why not put together a thoughtful selection of their favourite teas into a beautiful gift box. The receiver will be touched and amazed at your thoughtfulness. You can throw in a few handmade blends along with herb flavours as well as the more regular variety. With Diwali being a season of indulgence, a healthy gift option is always welcomed.

How to Make a Festive Tea Bag

Things that are needed
  • 1/2 cup loose black tea
  • 1 tablespoon crushed cinnamon stick
  • 3 tablespoons dried apple, broken into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons dried orange peel, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon almond slices or slivers
  • 1 dried vanilla bean, cut into small pieces
  • 16 standard coffee filters
  • baker’s twine
  • stapler and staples
  • scissors

Method
  • Combine the ingredients like cinnamon, orange, apple, almonds and vanilla beans in a small bowl. Set them aside for a while.
  • After that, flaten all the coffe filter properly and then fold them in to half. Crease them properly along the fold.
  • Then fold them through the center, creating four segments. Add the tea in it and then fold the tea bag from all the sides.
  • You could fold the tea bag in the professional style or create any of your own. Secure the tea bag with a stapler pin on the top and add a string or baker's twine to it.
  • Pack the tea bags in a gift box. You can also make a simple gift box from a cardboard and paste a note on it.

Beauty Hamper

Source www.lintongoods.com

If you have a lot of female friends or cousins, then gifting them beauty hampers on Diwali is the best thing to do. There are a lot of parties and gatherings happening during Diwali and so everyone wants to get all dolled up. Now, if you do not want to make soaps or shampoos yourself, then you can plan on decorating the beauty hamper.

Buy a mix of different products like shampoo, body wash or soap, nail paint, lipstick and a foot cream. Make sure that you take products from different brands. Collate all of them in a nice cane basket.

Add chocolates and scented candles in the hamper with a Diwali greeting. Get a gelatin paper and pack the basket with it. You can add bows or plastic gems with kundan to decorate it. Also add some sparkle powder in the basket to give it a glittery and festive look. You girlfriends would definitely love this one.

Giftwallas Metal T-Lights

T-lights or candles are essentials of Diwali. Everyone uses them and decorates their houses. So, making t-lights would be a great idea. This is one of the best gifts to make and give this Diwali. Also, it is one of the easiest to make as well. The supplies needed are also very basic and you can give it a shot even if you are an amateur in the World of crafts and DIY. Check the DIY below.

Basic Tea Lights

Things you will need
  • Tealight cups - metal or plastic
  • Pre-tabbed wicks
  • Single Pour Container Wax
  • Candle Coloring - Liquid or block
  • Aromatic essential oil
  • A melting pot
  • A thermometer
  • A Wax Melter or a microwave friendly pot

Method
  • Add one pound of wax in the melter or the pot. One pound of wax will make 12 t-lights and so take the wax accordingly. If you are using a pot, then microwave it for 2 minutes. The minutes may vary according to the microwaves models.
  • When the wax is fully melted, add the colour block or the liquid. Just take a pinch of the block or 1/4th teaspoon of the liquid. Add the drops of aromatic essential oils as well.
  • Stir the wax with a thermometer. Check if you have got the desired colour. If not, add some more colour. Always remember that the candles might look a shade lighter when hardened.
  • Now, add the wax in the tealight cups. When the wax gets a bit cloudy, place the wick in the middle of the tealight. Leave it to cool.

Scented Candles

Source www.proflowers.com

The other thing to gift this Diwali is scented candles. The easiest way to do this is to order some online. Alternatively, if you are feeling creative, then you could choose to make them.

Things you will need:

  • Candle making wax
  • Large wicks
  • Spatula
  • Fragrance essential oil
  • Heat proof container
  • Microwave friendly pot

Method

  • Measure the wax according to your container. Take double the amount of it.
  • Put that wax in the microwave friendly pot and heat it for 2 minutes. You might have to increase or decrease the time according to the model of your microwave.
  • Stir it with a spatula and then add the fragrant essential oils. Stir it again.
  • Add the wick in your container. You can superglue it as well.
  • Then pou the wax in the container. Allow the wax to cool for 5 minutes and then pour in to the container.
  • Allow the wax to harden. This might take a few hours.
  • When you light the candle, if the flame flickers then try cutting the wick.

Handmade Designer Diwali Diya

Source www.instructables.com

Diyas are traditional items that are used during Diwali. If you want to gift your loved ones unique diyas then the best thing to do is get earthen diyas. They are easy to find before Diwali and are also very cheap.

You can then get acrylic colours and sparkle tubes. Also, get mirrors, stones and plastic gems. Paint the diyas with the acrylic colours. Make sure you do 2-3 coats.

Allow them to dry. Then, stick the decorative items on them. The next thing that you can do is get white candles. Melt them in the microwave and add it in the diyas. Do not forget to add a wick in the diya as well. Let it cool. You could also use simple t-light candles or gift just the diyas.

Besan Ladoo in a Pretty Jar

Source hebbarskitchen.com

Diwali is a festival of lights and sweets. So, the best thing to do this Diwali is gift someone homemade sweets filled with the goodness of desi ghee and love. The recipient is definately going to enjoy that. Besan ke ladoo is a traditional sweet and many relish them. If you love cooking, then try making some this Diwali.

Ingredients

  • 1/4th cup plus 2 tsp ghee
  • 1 cup besan or chickpea flour
  • 1/2 cup powder sugar or icing sugar
  • 1/4th tsp cardamom powder or elaichi powder
  • 10 cashew nuts broken

Method

  • Heat the ghee in a thick non stick pan. Once the ghee is melted, add the besan powder.
  • Stir it continuously. Make sure the ghee and besan are combined well. Stir it for 20-25 minuts and make sure that the flame is on low. Break the lumps in between as well
  • Keep stirring till the besan turns in to a golden colour and leaves its aroma.
  • Turn off the gas after that and transfer the paste in to a bowl. Allow the paste to cool completely.
  • Then, add powdered sugar, cardamom powder or elaichi powder and broken cashew nuts. Combine the ingredients and mix it well.
  • Take the mixture in a tablespoon and roll it in to a ladoo. Garnish it with a cashew nut or almond. Voila! You are done.
  • We reccommend using a small glass jar to fill the ladoos and then add a bow on it. You can pack them in a sweet box as well.

Handmade Gifts are Personal and Budget Friendly

Handmade gifts have their own essence and character. They may not look very professional or have unfinished edges, but they always stand out in the eyes of the recipient. It actually showa the recipient the amount of thought and effort that you have put in curating a gift.

Handmade gifts also show the person that you care and are not gifting them something for the sake of it. Also, handmade gifts are very economical. The festive season might take a toll on your budget and hence making a gift is the best thing to do.

It might take a little time to make a gift as compared to just buying it from a store but it is worth the effort. It also gives you a chance to get your creative juices flowing. It will leave you satisfied and the recipient happy.

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From our editorial team

Small and simple gifts are also enough

In an increasingly consumerist world, presents are often viewed as large and ornately wrapped gift boxes that open to reveal some fantastic and expensive things. But whatever happened to the simple things that have more meaning and provide us with greater pleasure. There are so many occasions during the year when gifts are exchanged - celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, promotions and festivals - so there is plenty of opportunity to give those big, expensive gifts. This Diwali go back to the basics, to the the things that give simple joy. Make it about spending time with loved ones, making Diwali goodies at home and sharing them with those dearest to you.