Deepavali Decorations & Gifts Singapore 2026: Order-By Dates

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Deepavali this year falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, and Monday, 9 November is the public holiday. That’s about three weeks from now, which is still enough time to order online if you plan ahead.

Maybe you’re doing up your HDB flat for the first time, hosting an open house, or you got invited to a colleague’s place and are wondering “eh, what should I bring?”. This guide is for you. We’ve rounded up the decorations and gifts people look for most (diyas, kolam stencils, torans, lights, sweets and hampers), plus order-by dates so your parcel actually arrives before the big day.

Customs vary by family and community. In Singapore, Deepavali is mostly a Hindu festival; Sikhs and Jains mark their own festivals around the same time.

Quick heads-up: Shopee’s 11.11 sale is on 11 November, after Deepavali, so don’t wait for 11.11 vouchers.

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Order-By Dates: When to Check Out So It Arrives Before 8 Nov

The short version: anything from an overseas seller, order as early as you can.

Shopee’s Help Centre gives these general delivery timeframes. They run from when the parcel is picked up, so add the seller’s own handling time on top:

Shipping type	Shopee’s stated timeframe	Our suggested last order date for Deepavali
Overseas seller, sea shipping	5–10 working days + the seller’s handling time	Sea shipping can take up to 10 working days after the seller ships. If you’re reading this after about 20 Oct, choose a local seller or Express International instead.
Express Doorstep Delivery (International)	3 working days (Malaysia) / 5 working days (other countries), for orders paid before 2pm, + the seller’s handling time	Wed 28 Oct
Local seller, Collection Point / Pick Locker	about 3 working days + the seller’s handling time	Mon 2 Nov
Local seller, Next Day Delivery	next day if paid before 2pm (excludes Sundays and PHs) + the seller’s handling time	Thu 5 Nov, before 2pm (last-minute only)

Source: Shopee SG Help Centre, “How long will it take for me to receive my order?”, checked 17 Oct 2026. Our dates are our own estimates from Shopee’s general timeframes; the date shown at checkout is the one to trust.

Lobang tips:

• Look at the seller’s location on the product page. Many Deepavali listings ship from overseas (India, Malaysia, China), which is fine if you order early but risky after about 20 Oct.
• Pre-order items take longer. If a listing says “Pre-order”, skip it unless you’re ordering early.
• Fresh flowers and fresh mithai are better bought locally in the last week. Order the non-perishables online first.

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Deepavali Decorations at a Glance

Item	What it’s for	Indicative Shopee price*	Best for
Clay diyas	Traditional oil lamps for prayer and the doorway	S$8.46–S$8.90 per set	Traditional homes
LED / water-sensor diyas	Flame-free glow, floats in water	from S$3.14 (ships from overseas)	Families with kids, HDB corridors
Kolam / rangoli stencils	Neat floor designs, even for beginners	from S$5.62	First-timers
Kolam / rangoli stickers	Instant floor or wall decoration, no mess	S$6.68–S$15.90	Renters, busy people
Torans (door hangings)	Main door decoration	S$12.00–S$25.00	Every home
Fairy / curtain lights	Windows, balcony, gate	from S$5.80	Making the flat glow
Artificial marigold garlands	Reusable flower decoration	S$12.97 (pack of 2)	Doorways, altars, backdrops
Brass diyas / metal urli bowls	Longer-lasting decoration	from S$16.69	Gifting, prayer corner

*Prices are for the listings linked below, checked on Shopee on 17 Oct 2026. Shopee prices change often, so check the live price at checkout.

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Part 1: Home Decorations

Diyas are the heart of the Festival of Lights. Red clay versions are cheap, and you can paint them with the kids for a fun weekend project.

• What to look for: a set size that suits your space (6–12 pieces is enough for most HDB flats), a flat stable base, and diyas sold with stands if you’re placing them on a ledge
• Watch out: real oil flames mean you must never leave them unattended, and keep them away from curtains and corridor clutter

Verdict: Affordable and traditional. Clay can chip in transit, so check buyer reviews on packaging.

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These light up when they touch water, so you can float them in an urli bowl or a glass bowl of water for a pretty centrepiece. Battery-powered tealight-style versions work on shelves too.

• What to look for: whether batteries are included (many listings say “Free Battery”), the pack size, and warm-yellow vs multicolour light
• Watch out: the cheapest listings are often from overseas sellers, and both picks below ship from overseas (Malaysia and Mainland China) and are new listings without reviews yet, so order early and check the shipping time against the table above

Verdict: A low-effort, flame-free way to get a diya glow, and reusable if they hold up.

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Kolam (common in Tamil homes) and rangoli are floor designs placed at the entrance to welcome guests. Freehand takes practice, but a stencil makes it much easier: place it, fill it with coloured powder (or rice flour, the traditional kolam material), lift, done.

• What to look for: size (4″, 8″ and 12″ are common, and 8–12″ suits most HDB doorways), reusable plastic or wooden frame, and whether colour powder is included
• Watch out: check whether the listing price is for one stencil or a set, since the price ranges on these listings vary a lot by variant

Verdict: A handy shortcut for beginners who want a neat, symmetrical design.

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Peel-and-stick gold-foil or printed kolam designs go on floors, tiles, walls or doors. No sweeping needed afterwards.

• What to look for: dimensions (25cm vs 50cm makes a big difference), waterproof finish if it’s near the door, and removable adhesive if you’re renting
• Watch out: test a small corner first on painted walls or wooden doors

Verdict: Little mess and quick to put up. A good backup if you don’t have time for a powder kolam.

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A toran (also called a thoranam or bandhanwar) hangs across the top of the main door. Options range from artificial marigold and mango-leaf styles to beaded and embroidered ones.

• What to look for: width (measure your door frame first, as most HDB main doors are narrower than the “luxury” 37″+ torans), hanging method, and how sturdy the materials look in buyer photos
• Watch out: use removable hooks rather than nails if you’re renting or worried about the door frame

Verdict: Good value for how much it changes the door, and you can reuse it.

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Curtain and string lights with diya or lotus shapes are easy to find on Shopee. Many have several modes (steady, twinkle, chase).

• What to look for: length (measure your window), plug-in vs battery, number of modes, and whether an extension cord is a separate variant
• Watch out: make sure it comes with a Singapore-compatible plug or adapter, and for corridor use, keep wires tidy and out of walkways

Verdict: Very visible from outside, and reusable.

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Fresh marigolds are beautiful but wilt quickly in our weather. Artificial strands can be reused.

• What to look for: strand length and count, colour mix (orange and yellow is classic), and LED versions if you want them to glow
• Watch out: many listings look similar, so compare the number of strands per pack, not just the price

Verdict: A reusable way to get the festive look at home.

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Part 2: Deepavali Gifts by Budget

Gift etiquette first. If you’ve been invited to a Deepavali open house, a gift is a nice gesture but not required. Hindu Centre Singapore says a box of sweets or a small gift is “customary but not expected”.

Classic safe choices are Indian sweets (mithai), dried fruit and nuts, a fruit basket, or a small decorative lamp.

It’s safest to keep food gifts vegetarian (no beef in particular, and check for gelatine), and think twice about alcohol, as many families don’t drink. Many people hand over gifts with the right hand or both hands.

Under $15: Small, Thoughtful Gifts

Good for colleagues, neighbours or a small token for the host.

Floating LED diya set: pretty, safe, and fits the Festival of Lights theme (see #2 above; those picks ship from overseas, so order early)

$15–$40: The Sweet Spot

Good for close friends, the open-house host, or your boss.

$40–$130: Hampers & Bigger Gifts

Good for family, important clients or corporate gifting.

Prefer a specialist sweet shop or hamper brand? Many Singapore sweet shops and hamper brands take Deepavali orders directly, often with fixed cut-off dates. If you’re ordering mithai for a specific day, confirm the delivery slot with the shop.

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Part 3: Festive Outfits & Accessories

Planning to dress up for an open house? Bright, festive colours are a common choice. Many people avoid black, which Time Out Singapore notes is considered inauspicious for the occasion. Smart casual is fine if you don’t have traditional wear.

Sizing tip: clothing sizes vary a lot between sellers. Check the size chart in centimetres and read buyer reviews about fit before ordering, especially from overseas sellers, where returns take longer.

For sarees, lehengas and tailored outfits, many people still prefer to shop in person at Little India so they can see the fabric and get alterations done.

Prefer to Shop in Person? Little India’s Festive Bazaar

According to the Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA) on deepavali.sg, the Serangoon Road light-up was launched with a ceremony at Birch Road on 3 Oct 2026, with lights on daily from 7pm to midnight during the festival.

The Festival Village runs on Campbell Lane from 10 Oct to 8 Nov 2026 (from 7pm). It’s a good place to pick up fresh flowers, sweets and outfits in the last week, when online orders get risky.

Check deepavali.sg for the latest event details before you go.

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Quick Deepavali Prep Checklist

• Now (by about 20 Oct for sea shipping): order anything from overseas sellers (lights, stencils, torans, brass items). After that, pick local sellers or Express International
• Week of 26 Oct: spring-clean the house (see our cleaning guides below), and order local-seller items and hampers
• By Mon 2 Nov: last orders for Collection Point / locker delivery
• Week of 2 Nov: test the lights, put up the toran, practise your kolam with the stencil
• Sat 7 Nov (Deepavali eve): fresh flowers, fresh sweets, final kolam
• Sun 8 Nov: Happy Deepavali! 🪔

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Related Reading on NearMe.SG

• Clean before the guests arrive: our Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide (written for CNY, but the checklist works for any festive clean)
• Let a robot do the floors: 10 Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners Singapore 2026
• Quick touch-ups between visitors: Best Stick Vacuums Singapore 2026

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FAQ: Deepavali 2026 in Singapore

When is Deepavali 2026 in Singapore?

Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Because it’s a Sunday, Monday, 9 November 2026 is the public holiday (per MOM’s 2026 public holiday list).

Can I still order Deepavali decorations on Shopee in time?

Yes, if you order early enough. Sea shipping from overseas sellers can take up to 10 working days after the seller ships, so if it’s after about 20 Oct, choose a local seller or Express International instead.

For local sellers, you generally have until around Mon 2 Nov, or until Thu 5 Nov before 2pm for Next Day Delivery, where the seller offers it. These are our own estimates from Shopee’s general timeframes; the date shown at checkout is the one to trust.

What should I bring to a Deepavali open house?

Nothing is compulsory, and turning up empty-handed is normal. If you’d like to bring something, Indian sweets, dried fruit and nuts, a fruit basket or a small decorative lamp are safe choices. It’s safest to keep food gifts vegetarian (no beef in particular, and check for gelatine), and skip alcohol unless you know the family well.

What colour should I avoid wearing for Deepavali?

Many people avoid black, as it’s considered inauspicious for the occasion. Bright, festive colours are a safe bet.

What’s the difference between kolam and rangoli?

Kolam is the Tamil name for a threshold design traditionally drawn in rice flour, often every morning, to welcome prosperity (the goddess Lakshmi) and, in custom, to feed ants and birds.

Rangoli is the name used in Maharashtra and much of north and central India, and it’s now a common umbrella term. It’s usually more colourful, with powders or flowers. Other regions have their own names, such as muggu (Telugu) and alpana (Bengal). In Singapore you’ll hear both kolam and rangoli.

Are LED diyas OK to use instead of oil lamps?

For decoration, yes. Many families use LED or water-sensor diyas around the house because there’s no open flame, which is handy with kids, pets or corridor displays. For prayers, families usually follow their own tradition. If you use real oil diyas, never leave them unattended.

Will Shopee 11.11 deals arrive before Deepavali?

No. Shopee’s 11.11 sale is on 11 November, after Deepavali, so don’t wait for 11.11 vouchers. Buy your Deepavali items at regular prices, or use whatever vouchers are available now.

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Ready to Light Up Your Home?

Start with the order-by table, sort out anything from overseas sellers first, then fill in the local items closer to the date. A toran on the door, a kolam at the entrance and some diyas by the window go a long way.

Wishing you and your family a bright and happy Deepavali! 🪔