Diwali 2026 Shagun Guide: Dates, Gifting Etiquette & Envelope Ideas

Diwali is the busiest shagun season of the year. Between Dhanteras and Bhai Dooj you may hand out envelopes to parents, children, household staff, your team at work and business clients – often in the same week. A little planning makes it easy, and it makes every envelope feel thoughtful rather than last-minute.

Diwali 2026 dates at a glance

• Dhanteras – Friday, 6 November 2026
• Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) – Saturday, 7 November 2026
• Diwali / Lakshmi Puja – Sunday, 8 November 2026
• Govardhan Puja – Tuesday, 10 November 2026
• Bhai Dooj – Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Muhurat timings vary by city, so check your local panchang before the puja. For gifting, the practical deadline is simpler: order your envelopes in October so they arrive well before Dhanteras.

Who gives shagun at Diwali?

Customs differ from family to family, but most households give shagun to:

• Children and younger relatives – usually during the family puja or when visiting elders.
• Sisters at Bhai Dooj – brothers traditionally give a gift or cash after the tilak.
• Household staff – the Diwali bonus for your cook, driver, maid or security guard.
• Employees and colleagues – many business owners give a festive bonus or voucher in an envelope.
• Clients and business partners – often paired with sweets or a dry-fruit box.

How much to put in a Diwali envelope

There is no fixed rule – give what feels right for the relationship and your budget. Many families like to end the amount in 1, such as ₹101, ₹501, ₹1,100 or ₹2,100, because the extra rupee is considered auspicious. (We explain why in our post on adding ₹1 to shagun.)

For staff bonuses, many employers give around one month's salary or a round festive amount. Whatever you decide, a neat envelope makes the gesture feel like a gift rather than a transaction.

Matching the envelope to the person

For elders and close family

Choose something rich and traditional – Mughal gardens, royal elephants, lotus and peacock motifs. Our Premium envelopes combine a velvet-touch base, UV print and raised gold foil for a finish that feels special in the hand.

For children

Bright colours and playful prints win every time. Our kids shagun envelopes are made for birthdays and festivals, and children love having an envelope that feels like it was made for them.

For staff and teams

When you need many envelopes, a larger pack of a single design keeps things simple. Our designs come in packs of 20, 50, 100 and 200, and Matte envelopes are easy to write names on with any pen.

For clients

Add your name or your company's name. Personalised name printing is available on packs of 50, 100 and 200, so every client receives an envelope that carries your name, not just your money.

A quick Diwali shagun checklist

1. List everyone you give to – family, staff, team, clients – and count the envelopes.
2. Pick one design per group so you can tell envelopes apart at a glance.
3. Order by mid-October, especially if you want name printing.
4. Keep fresh notes ready from the bank a week before Dhanteras.
5. Write the recipient's name on the back in pencil so nothing gets mixed up.

Bigger gifts: cash and coin boxes

For a gold coin, a silver ginni or a larger cash gift, an envelope may not be enough. A designer shagun box – laser-cut, velvet or embroidered – makes the moment feel grand and doubles as a keepsake.

Wishing you and your family a bright, blessed Diwali. Browse our festival gifting collection to find the envelope that suits every name on your list.