What to Write in a Diwali Card

By Hallmark staff on August 31st, 2022

Diwali—the Festival of Lights—is a celebration of peace, prosperity and the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It brings people together for five days of shopping and decorating, feasts and fireworks, and rituals and prayers (puja). And it’s a traditional time to send greetings—so we’ve got tips for what to write in a Diwali card.

How people celebrate Diwali

Diwali lasts five days between mid-October and mid-November and is observed in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and other places with large Indian or Hindu populations. Also called Divali or Deepavali, it’s one of the most important and popular Hindu celebrations.

Day one is about preparation: shopping for symbols of good fortune and cleaning the house. On the second day, families decorate with candles and oil lamps (diyas) and create intricate designs on the floor (rangoli). The most festive part of the festival—a night of fireworks and feasts—takes place on the third night. Day four is for visiting family and friends to exchange gifts. On the final day brothers visit their sisters to celebrate and share a meal.

Whether you’re joining the festivities yourself or want to send a warmhearted wish to someone who does, here are some ideas for what to write.

Helpful tip: Can you send a Diwali card if you don’t celebrate Diwali? Of course you can. If you have a friend who celebrates—especially if you know they’re far away from home and family—recognizing their traditions is a thoughtful way to say, “You matter to me.”

Simple Diwali wishes

When you find the Diwali card that says just what you want it to say, the rest is easy. You might just add a closing and your signature and let the printed message do your wishing for you—and that’s just fine.

If you’d like to add a short message of your own, here are some ideas:

“Happy Diwali and a wonderful new year!”
“Wishing you a bright and happy Diwali!”
“Prayers for love and light to you and your family!”
“From our family to yours, wishes for love, peace and prosperity!”
“May hope and happiness shine on you.”
“May Diwali find you surrounded by happiness and love.”
“Sending heartfelt blessings to you and your family. Happy Diwali!”

Helpful tip: It’s perfectly OK to write like you talk. Are you super casual 24/7? Then stay casual in your Diwali message. But if you’re a little more formal in your communication—or if elevated language feels right for the festive season—that works, too.

Warm Diwali messages

If Diwali is important to you and you want to send blessings to someone to whom it also means a lot, a Diwali card is the perfect way to affirm the faith you share.

Hallmarker Rakesh Cheelamapalli suggests something like: “Blessing you and your family with immense happiness and prosperity and decorating your life with colourful lights and sparkling moments. Happy Diwali!” He incorporates some familiar elements of the holiday and sends his own wish for blessings. Perfect.

Whether your greeting is given in person with a tray of sweets or sent through the mail, try something like:

“We pray the lights of joy and peace, friendship and fellowship, and love and hope be lit in our hearts.”
“You have added so much joy to my life. May Diwali bring light and love to yours.”
“Happy Diwali! And may the new year bring you peace, happiness and prosperity.”
“May the source of light and life shine in our hearts, now and always, as we strive together for the common good of all.”
“Thinking of you during the Festival of Lights and wishing you a year rich with blessings.”
“As the scent of incense, lamps and sweets fills your home, here’s hoping love and light fill your heart.”
“Wishing you a home filled with happiness, a life filled with prosperity, and a heart filled with love.”

We hope these ideas help you share the light with friends and family this Diwali.