A gift chosen with someone’s daily routine in mind, a table booked for a long-awaited reunion, or a home refreshed to welcome guests: festive spending is closely tied to how people want to celebrate and whom they want to celebrate with. For brands, these choices offer a window into what consumers value, from the usefulness of a purchase to the time it helps them spend together.
Across beauty, sports, hospitality, retail and home décor, industry leaders are reading these priorities in different ways. Their perspectives point to a festive season in which personal relevance, thoughtful gifting and shared experiences are shaping how brands connect with consumers.
For beauty and personal-care brands, the conversation includes both preparation for celebrations and care beyond the occasion itself. Swagatika Das, CEO & Co-founder, Nat Habit, said, “Festive beauty shopping is moving towards healthy-looking skin and well-nourished, protected hair. With more frequent styling and back-to-back social occasions, consumers are increasingly investing in pre- and post-festive care. We are also seeing a rise in targeted hair-care solutions, from hair-fall and scalp treatments to ingredient-led products and Ayurvedic formulations, as consumers seek solutions for increasingly specific concerns. At the same time, consumers are looking for simpler, effective routines built around clean, natural and familiar ingredients.
Festive gifting and buying behaviour are also evolving, with consumers looking for gifts that are thoughtful and hold meaningful relevance for the recipient. Impulse buying is slowly fading away and is shaping into a festive season that is more about discovery with consideration, as consumers research reviews, ingredients, recommendations and overall value rather than choosing purely on discounts. For brands, this is an opportunity to make discovery more meaningful and build trust that can translate into repeat behaviour beyond the festive season.”
The emphasis on relevance also extends to corporate gifting, where gifts can connect employee appreciation with everyday interests and wellbeing. Raghwendra Singh, Wholesale Director, Decathlon Sports India, said,“Corporate gifting is evolving as organisations look for ways to make employee engagement more meaningful and relevant to everyday wellbeing. At Decathlon, we see this shift as an opportunity to move beyond traditional, one-size-fits-all gifting and encourage people to discover sport in a way that works for them. Through our ‘Gift a Sport’ initiative, organisations can give employees the freedom to choose from a wide range of sports and wellness products along with the option of ‘Gift Cards’, making the gift more personal while encouraging active lifestyles. From festive sports celebrations and team activities during Diwali and Christmas to everyday wellbeing, these initiatives can help bring colleagues together through shared, active experiences. As our B2B business continues to scale, covering more than 20,000 entities across India, initiatives like ‘Gift a Sport’ reflect our larger ambition of making sport and wellbeing more accessible across enterprise India. This festive season, we see corporate gifting as not just a gesture of appreciation, but an opportunity to enable healthier and more active choices beyond the workplace.”
Besides gifting, dining offers another way to mark the season through shared experiences. For hospitality businesses, this draws attention to the character of the venue and the occasions it can accommodate. Addressing this, Divya Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., said, "The festive season is always a good read on where hospitality is headed, and this year it's all about experiences. Diners are treating experience as 'currency', looking for places that bring people together and have a personality of their own. Across the Impresario portfolio, from neighbourhood bars and cafés to delivery brands, we're building for these new ways of socialising. The festive season is a chance to try new things and make room for bigger group celebrations."
The role of such shared experiences also trickles down to travel, where a getaway can combine dining, entertainment, and time with loved ones. Arindam Basu, VP – Marketing and Communications, Delta Corp, said, “Domestic travel is witnessing a shift towards multiple shorter vacations throughout the year and more experience-seeking travelers with long weekends and holidays driving more people to enjoy local destinations in India. Travelers are looking to have a mix of experiences at their chosen destination which involves leisure activities, dining, entertainment, and quality time with family and friends. There is a growing demand for holidays with different occasions like short getaways, special celebrations, weddings etc. The hospitality sector needs to think of products that go beyond the accommodation that people are spending their night at. At Deltin, destinations like Goa and Daman have diverse offerings for thrill, entertainment and leisure seeking travelers who are looking for unique memorable experiences and ways to enjoy their time together.”
Closer to home, retail destinations acitvely try to bring several of these occasions together within a single visit. Chirag Desai, Centre Head - Mall at Felix Plaza, said, “The festive season has a way of bringing people closer, whether through the joy of finding the perfect gift, sharing a meal with loved ones, or simply spending time together away from everyday routines. At Felix Plaza, we want to be part of these moments by creating a space where shopping, dining, and entertainment come together naturally. With a diverse mix spanning 26 categories, there is something for different tastes, interests, and occasions, allowing families and friends to make the most of their time together. For us, a destination becomes meaningful when people return not just for what they need, but for the experiences they enjoy and the memories they create along the way. As New Gurugram’s emerging retail and lifestyle destination, our endeavour is to make every visit feel welcoming, whether it is a planned festive shopping trip, a spontaneous meal or an afternoon spent discovering something new. This festive season, we look forward to welcoming our community and being a part of the moments that make the celebrations special.”
The spaces in which people celebrate also carry emotional and cultural significance. Reflecting on Durga Pujo within the wider festive calendar, Kuldip Raina, MD & CEO, Shalimar Paints, said, “Festivals are a reminder of how colours can transform the spaces we live in and the way we experience them. During Durga Pujo, this comes alive in a special way, as homes, pandals and communities take on vibrant hues that reflect the spirit of celebration, creativity and togetherness. At Shalimar Paints, we believe colours do more than enhance a space; they help express emotions, create a sense of belonging and bring new energy to familiar surroundings. This is what makes ‘Pujo Ka Har Rang Khoobsurat’ a meaningful expression of the festive spirit, celebrating the many colours that make every experience unique. As people prepare their homes and surroundings for the season, we see this as a way to be part of their celebrations through colours that reflect their traditions. Our focus remains on offering quality paint solutions that bring lasting beauty to spaces, helping families create welcoming environments for the moments and memories that make the festive season special.”
Across these perspectives, the opportunity for brands lies in understanding the occasion behind the purchase. Whether through a useful gift, a group meal, a short holiday or a refreshed home, the leaders place personal relevance and shared enjoyment at the centre of their festive approach. The festive rush may bring consumers through the door, but the usefulness, care and enjoyment they take away can give them a reason to return.
