From 'leave without calls' to 'anything but soan papdi': Employees reveal what they really want from their organisations this Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is also a season of gratitude and gifting in corporate India. Every year, companies go the extra mile to surprise employees with festive presents — from traditional sweets to luxury items.

Recently, Noida-based Info Edge made headlines for its lavish Diwali hampers that included VIP suitcases, snack boxes, and a diya. In the past, Hari Krishna Exports founder had gifted Mercedes-Benz SUVs to three loyal employees in 2018. A Surat-based diamond firm distributed electric scooters in 2021 to promote sustainability amid rising fuel costs. A pharmaceutical company once reportedly gifted cars to 15 top performers as a token of appreciation.

According to a Business Standard report, companies in sectors like real estate, IT, and logistics are spending anywhere between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 per Diwali gift, with budgets going up to Rs 10,000 in some cases. For large corporations with extensive client networks, the overall gifting expense can easily run into crores of rupees.


But amidst all the grandeur, what do employees actually want from their organisations? A recent Reddit thread sparked a lively discussion on this question, revealing some honest — and relatable — answers.

“Gift cards are the best, especially Amazon ones. Employees can choose what they really want,” said one user.

Another quipped, “Leave without calls. That’s the best Diwali gift ever.”

And of course, the classic sentiment appeared again: “Anything but soan papdi.”

Some employees had more practical suggestions. “Gift card or direct cash transfer. If someone truly cares about our happiness, they’ll give us the freedom to choose our own gift,” wrote one.

Others valued thoughtful, lasting gifts: “My ex-organisation once gave a Safari trolley bag for Diwali. It’s been seven years, and I still use it. Gifts like that create memories and have real recall value.”

An HR professional also joined the thread, revealing internal discussions: “We were considering air fryers, OTG ovens, massagers, Bluetooth speakers, and cookware sets. Eventually, we went with Amazon vouchers based on popular demand.”

And perhaps the most candid response of all: “Three months’ pay… okay, I’ll settle for two.”

What would you want? Let us know in the comments box.