The Indian Gifting Calendar: Every Occasion Worth Remembering
Never miss a gifting moment. A month-by-month Indian gifting calendar covering festivals, national days and personal milestones — with gift card ideas for each.
Between festivals, national days and personal milestones, India has a gifting occasion almost every month. Plan ahead and you'll never scramble again.
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year — always confirm the exact date.
January
- New Year's Day — travel and fitness cards. See New Year gift cards.
- Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Lohri — sweets, groceries and festive wear.
- Republic Day — long-weekend travel.
February
- Valentine's Day — date nights and jewellery. See Valentine's Day gift cards.
March
- Holi — sweets, snacks and party supplies.
- Women's Day (8 March) — self-care and experiences.
- Financial year-end — employee recognition.
April
- Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu / Bihu — regional new year celebrations.
- Akshaya Tritiya (April–May) — gold and jewellery.
May
- Mother's Day (second Sunday) — see Mother's Day ideas.
- Summer holidays — travel and kids' activities.
Family planning a gifting calendar
June
- Father's Day (third Sunday) — see Father's Day ideas.
- Graduations — see graduation gift cards.
July
- Monsoon season — cosy food delivery and entertainment.
- Friendship Day (first Sunday of August, often planned in July).
August
- Raksha Bandhan — see Rakhi gift cards.
- Independence Day — long-weekend getaways.
- Onam (August–September).
September
- Teachers' Day (5 September) — see Teachers' Day ideas.
- Ganesh Chaturthi.
October
- Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra.
- Karwa Chauth.
- Diwali season begins — see Diwali gift card ideas.
November
- Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhai Dooj (dates vary between October and November).
- Children's Day (14 November).
- Wedding season — see wedding gift cards.
December
- Christmas — see Secret Santa ideas.
- Year-end corporate gifting.
- New Year's Eve.
Year-round personal milestones
- Birthdays and anniversaries
- Housewarmings and baby showers
- Promotions, farewells and retirements
- Exam results and admissions
Personal milestone reminders to add
Beyond festivals, add these to your calendar:
- Birthdays of family, friends and close colleagues
- Wedding anniversaries of parents, siblings and close friends
- Work anniversaries of your team (if you're a manager)
- Children's school events and results days
- Due dates for friends expecting babies
Planning corporate gifting through the year
Businesses can map gifting to the calendar too:
| Quarter | Common gifting moments |
|---|---|
| January–March | New Year, year-end rewards, Women's Day |
| April–June | New financial year kick-offs, appraisal rewards |
| July–September | Independence Day, Onam, Teachers' Day, festive planning |
| October–December | Navratri, Diwali, Christmas, year-end client gifts |
Companies planning festive programs should start in the July–September quarter to avoid last-minute rush. Orbit by SaverPe helps plan multi-brand festive orders.
A simple monthly gifting routine
- On the 1st, check the month's occasions.
- Pick brands for each person.
- Schedule delivery dates.
- Note anything that needs physical add-ons.
Five minutes a month removes almost all gifting stress.
Key takeaways
- India has gifting moments in nearly every month.
- Festival dates vary each year — confirm them annually.
- Add personal milestones to your calendar with reminders.
- A five-minute monthly routine removes gifting stress.
Explore gift cards by occasion.
Frequently asked questions
When is the biggest gifting season in India?
The Diwali season, typically between October and November, is the peak gifting period.
How far ahead should I plan festival gifts?
One to two weeks is enough for most personal gifts; businesses should plan four to eight weeks ahead.
What's a good way to remember everyone's birthdays?
Add them to your phone calendar with a reminder a week in advance.
SaverPe Editorial Team
The SaverPe editorial team researches gifting trends, brand programs and redemption rules so every gift lands perfectly.