Deepavali gifting 2026: 5 indie brands with gifts that tell a story

Wooden wonders @ Olva Creations, WayanadDriven by his passion for art, creativity, and Nature, creative director and artist Kishor Babu Wynd launched his brand to overcome the challenges of hearing impairment. Throughout this journey, I have been fortunate to have a guide and mentor, Sujith Bhavm. I got the opportunity to participate in various exhibitions that have played a significant role in helping my products gain recognition,” says Kishor, who crafts wooden art and decor products from his home studio in Wayanad. An African mask crafted at Olva Creations | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement His product catalogue comprises wooden mini clocks, miniature cars for children, cat figurines, a dice cube game light, tribal masks, a range of clocks, incense holders, and more. “For me, this journey is not merely about making products. It is a silent conversation with every piece of wood,” he says.Prices start at ₹250 and go up ₹50,000. @olva_creations on Instagram The Sweet Kaaram art print at Rue Des Arts | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Art prints @ Rue Des Arts, Chennai The Instagram-based art brand that began as a page on the social media platform in 2020 and grew into a brand in 2023. “Culture, artisanal craft, and local heritage are at the heart of my work,” says founder Aishwarya Ashok, who designs postcards, art prints, bookmarks, notebooks, and travel tags that “carry stories from the places I visit”. “These include chasing handmade Athangudi tile patterns through a village in Chettinad, live-sketching the pepper market in Mattancherry, Kerala, admiring the beautiful doors of Jaipur’s City Palace, and capturing the intricate details of temple gopurams and sweeping seascapes.” A gift bundle at Rue Des Arts | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The festive edit comprises Holiday Edition Postcards (₹200 each) that can be mailed as seasonal greetings, added to gifts, or displayed as miniature art prints; Sweet Kaaram a postcard and art print (upwards of ₹200); alcohol ink coasters (₹999 for two); alcohol ink bookmarks (₹200 each); a postcard pair and colouring card (₹499); lino notebooks (₹749 for a pair); and more. @rue.des.arts on Instagram Koodais at Knotsbag | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Koodais and more @ KAII Madras, Chennai This independent concept and gifting store was launched to give small businesses and independent makers a “meaningful” retail platform. “What began with just a handful of brands has grown into a space representing 50+ independent makers, with a strong focus on women-led businesses and products that are handmade, thoughtfully designed and made in India,” says founder Thanusheeya Vinayakh Selvakumar, who runs her own brand, Knotsbag. “Being a maker myself taught me firsthand how difficult it can be for a small brand to sustain itself. We may have beautiful products and passionate customers, but what many of us lack is a permanent physical space where people can discover, touch, experience and understand the story behind what we make,” she explains. An art matchbox by Maachies | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Today, the store’s shelves are stocked with everything from art, stationery and ceramics to jewellery, bags, clothing, fragrances, books, food, and homeware. Highlights include the Knotsbag × Odd Trunk collaboration range that reimagines the traditional South Indian koodai with a contemporary touch; filter kaapi-inspired jewellery by Bengaluru-based Unbaked; and art matchboxes by Maachies.Details on kaiimadras.com A pocket puzzle at The Puzzlist | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Pocket puzzles @ PuzzlistThis year, Prernna Gupta has launched a Pocket Edition series just in time for the festive season. These 99-piece mini puzzles (₹749 each) come in a playing-card-sized box and feature designs of Amer Fort, Patrika Gate, street scenes, and more. “They’re easy to carry, beautifully illustrated by independent artists, and are our take on making puzzling feel a little more accessible for everyday moments,” says Prernna, who launched the brand in 2025. She has also been adding new designs to the brand’s larger 275-piece collection (₹1,099 each), and building smaller piece-count puzzles for adults. “Our aim is to help busy adults find joy and calm via jigsaw puzzles,” she says. The Jaipur Gates puzzle at The Puzzlist | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement As for the artwork, Prernna says she has chosen pieces that blend with her theme of “memories, sights and scenes you remember”. “Our Jaipur Gates Duo lets you pause and marvel at the beauty of these monuments, the street scenes take you back to that busy market that you can hear and smell as if you were back again, and the Do Not Disturb duo is the feeling of being truly oneself with no care for the world,” she adds.Details on thepuzzlist.co An offering by Aamod | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Handmade incense sticks @ Aamod, Bengaluru Gireesh Dube launched his brand of incense sticks at a wedding in Lonavala, Maharashtra, in January this year. Over the last few months, he has not just launched new variants but has also introduced dhoop cones. “Our incense products are born out of the need to prevent water pollution from the flowers that are discarded into our water bodies. The seemingly innocuous flowers are laced with pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals that are harmful to our environment, and to prevent them from leeching these off into the water, we collect and upcycle them to give them a new life,” says the 39-year-old, adding that the products “contain no charcoal or any chemical additives, and are infused with pure essential oils”. An offering by Aamod | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement His debut Deepavali range comprises two variants: Oud and Tulsi (₹239), and Citronella and Eucalyptus (₹199), with customisation available for gifting and bulk orders. “Oud and Tulsi is an ancient blend that has historically been used in religious ceremonies and Ayurvedic practices. As for Citronella and Eucalyptus, the blend’s citrusy scent uplifts one’s mood and also serves as an insect repellent,” says Gireesh. Available on aamod.co and at organic stores across Bengaluru