Festive Gifting
Onam Corporate Gifts 2027 for Employees and Clients
By Gifting by Cladure Team9 min read
Onam is Kerala's harvest festival and its biggest celebration of the year, observed by Malayalis of every faith. The festivities build over about ten days, from Atham to Thiruvonam, which falls on Sunday 12 September 2027. Offices in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram mark it with pookalam (flower carpet) contests and a sadya lunch, and Malayali colleagues in Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi NCR notice when a company remembers it too.
Quick answer: The best Onam corporate gifts celebrate the home and the table: brass serveware for the sadya, a payasam bowl and tumbler set, an engraved brass spice box, Indian tea, or a dry fruit hamper. Spend ₹300 to ₹1,000 per employee and ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 for key clients; a copper serving set suits senior leaders. With Thiruvonam on a Sunday, hand gifts out at the office celebration, usually on Friday 10 September 2027 or earlier that week.
What to consider for Onam gifts
- It is for everyone in Kerala. Onam remembers the legendary King Mahabali, whose return to his people is welcomed each year. Hindu, Christian and Muslim families alike celebrate it, so an Onam gift suits a whole Kerala team.
- The sadya is central. The Onam feast is served on a banana leaf with many dishes and finished with payasam. Serveware, bowls and tumblers fit the season naturally.
- New clothes are a tradition. Onakkodi, new clothes for Onam, is a family custom. We do not supply clothing for this; a gift for the home or table is a better company choice.
- Timing around other festivals. In 2027, Ganesh Chaturthi (Saturday 4 September) falls during the Onam run-up. Offices in Bengaluru or Mumbai with both Malayali and Marathi or Kannadiga colleagues may want one festive gift with two greetings.
- Keep it vegetarian. The traditional sadya is vegetarian. If you send food, keep it vegetarian and sealed.
The best Onam corporate gifts for 2027
This is our own shortlist from the live catalogue, chosen for how well each gift fits the Onam home and table, how it travels to Kerala and other cities, and how it takes quiet branding.
Brass serveware set of four
Brass and bell-metal vessels have a long place in Kerala homes, and a serving set is used for the sadya and every family meal after it. It suits whole teams and dealers at about ₹700. Your logo sits on the gift box; small engraving may be possible and is confirmed in the quote. Pack it in a rigid carton, as brass dents if dropped.
Example from our rangeBrass Serveware Set of 4From ₹672 per unit, indicativeEnamel brass bowl and tumbler set
A bowl and tumbler is exactly what payasam is served in at the end of the sadya. At under ₹300 it is one of the most affordable Onam gifts that still feels traditional, and it suits very large teams. Branding goes on the box and card. Two sets make a thoughtful gift for a couple.
Example from our rangeRed Enamel Brass Bowl and Tumbler SetFrom ₹269 per unit, indicativeEngraved brass spice box
Kerala's pepper, cardamom and other spices have been traded for centuries, and a brass masala box honours that story in a modern kitchen. It suits managers, regular clients and family-run partner businesses at around ₹1,500. The lid may take a name or a discreet logo; the quote settles that with a mockup. It is equally welcome outside Kerala.
Example from our rangeEngraved Brass Spice BoxFrom ₹1,540 per unit, indicativeBrass mortar and pestle
Many Kerala kitchens still grind spices and coconut by hand for festive dishes, and a brass mortar and pestle is a handsome, practical piece. It suits senior employees and clients who enjoy cooking, at about ₹1,900. Keep it unbranded and use the box and card. It is heavy, so allow for that in delivery costs.
Example from our rangeBrass Mortar and Pestle SetFrom ₹1,903 per unit, indicativeIndian tea collection
Tea is part of daily life across Kerala, and an assortment of Indian teas is a gift that suits every age and faith. It works for teams, clients and partners at about ₹700 to ₹750. A printed sleeve and card are enough branding. It also travels well in early September's humid weather.
Example from our rangeSancha Tea Indian Tea CollectionFrom ₹731 per unit, indicativeDry fruits hamper
Dry fruits go into payasam and festive sweets, and a sealed hamper is a safe, vegetarian food gift. It suits teams and client offices at around ₹1,100. Your logo goes on the box, sleeve and card. It is a good choice for clients outside Kerala too, as it does not assume any one tradition.
Example from our rangeDry Fruits HamperFrom ₹1,120 per unit, indicativeHanging floral tealight holder
Flowers are the heart of Onam, from the pookalam laid at the entrance each morning to the garlands at home. A floral tealight holder echoes that at under ₹200, which suits large teams or an add-on in a box. Brand the sleeve, not the holder. Add tealights so it is ready for the evening.
Example from our rangeHanging Floral Tealight HolderFrom ₹168 per unit, indicativeDesigner copper water matka
A copper water pot is a traditional piece in many Indian homes and makes a striking gift for a senior employee or long-standing client. It sits around ₹2,700. A name or small logo may be engraved, confirmed in the quote with a mockup. Ask for it to be double-boxed for long-distance delivery to Kerala.
Example from our rangeDesigner Copper Water MatkaFrom ₹2,699 per unit, indicativeCopper serving set
For key clients and senior leaders, a copper serving set turns the sadya theme into a statement piece for the dining table. At over ₹5,000 it belongs on your shortest list. The pieces stay unbranded; use a branded box and a personal note. Check the client's gift policy for value limits first.
Example from our rangeCopper Serving SetFrom ₹5,290 per unit, indicative
Onam gift budgets
| Budget per gift | Ideas | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₹300 | Enamel brass bowl and tumbler set, floral tealight holder | Large teams, add-ons |
| ₹300 to ₹1,200 | Brass serveware set, Indian tea collection, dry fruits hamper | Whole Kerala teams, dealers, client offices |
| ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 | Engraved brass spice box, brass mortar and pestle, copper water matka | Managers, regular clients, partners |
| ₹5,000 and above | Copper serving set | Key clients and senior leaders |
The written quote confirms the final price, MOQ, branding method, GST and delivery date. More options sit under gifts under ₹1,000 and gifts under ₹2,000, and our brass corporate gifts guide covers care and branding for brass.
How to brand an Onam gift
- Greet in Malayalam. "Onashamsakal" (Onam greetings) on the card is a small touch Kerala teams appreciate. Ask a Malayali colleague to check the spelling in Malayalam script if you use it.
- Use Kerala colours. Off-white and gold, the colours of the kasavu sari and mundu, work beautifully on sleeves and ribbons.
- Keep logos small. A recipient's name engraved on metal is warmer than a large logo. Methods are confirmed per product in the quote; see customisation.
Ideas for the office Onam celebration
Many Kerala offices hold a pookalam contest and a sadya on the last working day before Thiruvonam. Gifts can be part of the day rather than a parcel on the desk:
- Prizes for the pookalam teams. A brass spice box or a tea collection for each member of the winning team, and a floral tealight holder for every participant.
- A gift at the sadya. Place a payasam bowl and tumbler set at each seat, wrapped in an off-white and gold sleeve, so everyone takes it home after lunch.
- Remote and hybrid staff. Send the same gift home a few days early with a card that mentions the office celebration, so nobody feels left out.
- Clients in Kerala. A dry fruits hamper or a brass serveware set delivered before the office closes for Onam is better than a gift that waits through the holiday.
If Kerala is one of several regions you gift for this autumn, our corporate gifting calendar for 2027 shows how Onam sits between Ganesh Chaturthi and the Navratri to Diwali run.
Timeline for Onam 2027
Thiruvonam is on Sunday 12 September 2027, and office celebrations usually happen in the working week before. Working back from a hand-out at the office sadya:
- Late July: confirm Kerala headcount and Malayali colleagues in other cities, and set bands.
- Early August: request a quote with quantities by city and the date of each office celebration.
- Mid-August: approve card text, Malayalam greeting and packaging mockups.
- Last week of August: dispatch so gifts reach Kerala offices by early September, before the run-up to Thiruvonam.
These are planning milestones; lead times are confirmed in the written quote. If you are also gifting for Ganesh Chaturthi the week before, one quote can cover both.
Delivery notes for Kerala and beyond
- Kerala offices. We are based in Delhi NCR and deliver across India, including Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Allow extra transit time for long-distance delivery.
- Malayali colleagues elsewhere. If you gift only them in a mixed office, deliver discreetly to their desks or homes, with a personal card.
- Humidity. Early September is humid in Kerala; ask for sealed food packs and dry, rigid cartons for metalware.
- Leave. Many people travel home for Onam; deliver to homes or hand out before people go on leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Onam in 2027?
Thiruvonam, the main day of Onam, falls on Sunday 12 September 2027. Celebrations build over about ten days from Atham, and office Onam events are usually held in the working week before.
What is a good Onam gift for employees?
A brass serveware set, an enamel brass bowl and tumbler set for payasam, an Indian tea collection or a dry fruits hamper, all within ₹300 to ₹1,000 per person.
Is Onam celebrated only by Hindus?
No. Onam is celebrated by Malayalis of all faiths as Kerala's harvest festival, which makes it a gift moment for an entire Kerala team.
What should we give clients for Onam?
An engraved brass spice box, a brass mortar and pestle or a copper water matka suits regular clients; a copper serving set is a premium choice for key clients. Check gift policies first.
Can you deliver Onam gifts to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram?
Yes. We are based in Delhi NCR and deliver across India, including Kerala. Delivery dates and costs are confirmed in the written quote.
Can one gift cover Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi for a mixed office?
Yes. In 2027 the two festivals are eight days apart, so a single festive gift, such as a tea collection or a dry fruits hamper, handed out in early September works well. Print two short greetings on the card, one for Ganeshotsav and one for Onam, rather than merging them into one line.
Do you supply onakkodi (new clothes) for Onam?
No, we do not supply clothing for Onam. We suggest a gift for the home or table, such as brass serveware or a tea collection, with a warm Onam card.
