Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, with Dhanteras two days earlier on Friday, November 6. If family is in India and you are in Canada or the US, the easiest way to be part of the celebration is to send a gift that arrives on time. This guide covers what to send, where to order, and when to order so it lands before puja.
Quick answer: order mithai, dry fruit or hamper gifts to India at least 4 to 5 days before Diwali, and silver or personalised gifts at least a week before. IGP delivers across India and also to Canada and the US, and you pay in your own currency.
Send Diwali gifts to family in India
IGP (Indian Gifts Portal) is the simplest option for most families. You order from Canada, pay by card, and the gift is delivered to the address in India, with same-day or next-day delivery in many cities. Popular choices:
- Mithai hampers: kaju katli, soan papdi and assorted sweets from known halwais. Fresh sweets need the shortest delivery window, so order 3 to 5 days ahead.
- Dry fruit hampers: travel well, keep for weeks and suit elders who avoid sugar.
- Combined Diwali hampers: sweets, dry fruit, diyas and a puja set in one box.
- Silver coins and silver gifts: a traditional Dhanteras gift. Order a week ahead, since these often ship from a central warehouse.
- Lakshmi-Ganesha idols and diyas and candles for the puja.
- Gifts for parents and family, sorted by who you are buying for.
Diwali gifts within Canada
Sending to friends or relatives in Brampton, Surrey, Toronto or anywhere else in Canada? IGP has a separate Diwali gifts to Canada range that ships locally. For mithai you can also pick up from a sweet shop near you: see sweet shops in Brampton, Mississauga or browse all cities.
Premium gifts: Ayurvedic gift boxes
For a gift that feels special without being sweets, Forest Essentials festive gift boxes (Ayurvedic skincare, candles and bath sets) are popular with mothers, sisters and in-laws. They also have gifts for him.
Buying gold or silver for Dhanteras in Canada
Many families buy a small piece of gold or silver on Dhanteras (November 6, 2026). In Canada, investment-grade coins and bars (for example Royal Canadian Mint Maple Leafs) are sold online by bullion dealers such as Silver Gold Bull, shipped insured to your home. Compare the price per gram with the day’s spot price before you buy, and remember jewellery from a local jeweller carries a making charge that bullion does not.
When to order (Diwali 2026)
| What | Delivered to | Order by (to be safe) |
|---|---|---|
| Mithai and fresh sweets | India | November 3 |
| Dry fruit and hampers | India | November 2 |
| Silver and personalised gifts | India | October 30 |
| Hampers within Canada | Canada | November 1 |
| Gold or silver for Dhanteras | Your home in Canada | October 28 |
These are cautious dates to allow for courier delays in the festive rush; each store shows its own delivery estimate at checkout.
Tips
- Add the recipient’s phone number in India so the courier can call before delivery.
- Check whether the price is shown in CAD or INR before paying, and use a card without foreign transaction fees.
- Avoid fresh sweets for small towns with longer delivery times; dry fruit is safer.
- Sending money instead? See our guide to the cheapest ways to send money to India.
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