Corporate Diwali gifting with dry fruits: a checklist for HR and founders

Corporate dry fruit gifting works when four things are fixed early: budget per person, a delivery list, branding and a supplier who can invoice properly. With Diwali on 8 November 2026, a branded order for 25 or more people should be confirmed by late October. This checklist covers what HR teams, founders and office managers usually get wrong.

1. Set a budget per person, not a total

Start with what each gift should feel like, then multiply. Remember that delivery to individual home addresses adds cost.

Prices are higher this year: an October 2026 trade report puts anjeer 5–15% above last Diwali and almonds 20–40% above (FreshPlaza). Lock prices with a written quote.

2. Work back from the delivery date

1. Week 1: fix budget, headcount and gift; collect addresses in one sheet (name, phone, full address, pincode).
2. Week 2: approve a sample and the branding proof; pay the advance.
3. Week 3: packing and printing; supplier shares tracking numbers.
4. Week 4: delivery, 3–5 days across India, with a few days' buffer before Diwali.

For Diwali 2026, that means starting no later than mid-October for orders of 100 or more.

3. Branding that people keep

A logo sleeve or a printed card works better than a logo on the fruit pack itself. Keep it understated: a short message from the founder or team lead does more than a large logo. Ask for a digital proof before printing and check spelling of every name if notes are personalised.

4. One address list, many destinations

Hybrid teams mean gifts go to dozens of cities. Send the supplier a clean spreadsheet with a column for the recipient's phone number; couriers call before delivery and failed deliveries are the main cause of late gifts. Ask for a tracking sheet back with one line per recipient.

5. GST invoices and input tax credit

Dried figs and most dry fruits are taxed at 5% GST since the September 2025 revision (ClearTax). Insist on a proper GST invoice in the company's name. One rule surprises many finance teams: under Section 17(5)(h) of the CGST Act, input tax credit is generally not available on goods given away as gifts (ClearTax News). Budget the GST as a cost, and check the treatment with your chartered accountant.

6. Allergies and dietary needs

Nuts are a common allergen, which is one reason single-fruit boxes such as dried figs are popular for large teams. Figs themselves can cause reactions in people allergic to figs, mulberries or latex, so offer an alternative to anyone who flags an allergy. Dried figs contain no added sugar, but they are naturally sweet; see anjeer and diabetes if a colleague asks.

7. Quality checks before you approve

• Ask for a sample from the same lot that will be shipped.
• Check the pack date and the grade (size) of the fruit; our six checks for good anjeer apply to any supplier.
• Confirm the inner packs are sealed and food-grade, and that an FSSAI licence number is printed.

Our corporate gifting

We pack the Royal Gift Box (500 g of our largest grade) from 25 units, with your branding, a printed note per recipient, GST invoice and delivery to multiple addresses. Request a quote with your headcount and delivery date, and we will reply with a sample plan.