Diwali is almost synonymous with gifts these days. Gifts actually are beautiful. They convey to the receiver that you were on their minds, that they invested time in thinking what you would like and have gone out of their way to buy you what you like. Yes, but most of us would agree that Diwali gifts hardly fall in this bracket. More often than not they range from the clueless to the stupid and even bordering on insulting. So here are some gifts you must absolutely avoid this Diwali:
Sweets
I know Diwali is synonymous with sweets. But, please do not get those boring and unduly sweet mithai boxes and dump them on hapless people. Seriously get creative! If you have to really gift mithai, stand out from the crowd and find something customized and unique. If you have the talent for it make them yourself or find someone who does with quality ingredients. You know what is easier and better? Chocolates. For adults like me and kids, chocolates are always welcome. And they don’t have a very short shelf life either. There is so much variety in the market these days, utilize it.
Dry fruits
This is the second lame one on the gift list for me. It also shows that you are completely out of ideas. Most of the dry fruits in the box are generally not usable unless you’ve been kind enough to only give the regular eats. Besides, no one will really remember you by your ‘unique’ gift of dry fruits.
Kitschy Trinkets:
Okay, now these are a class apart. I have got small jars, dabbas, plastic boxes etc. as a gift. Maybe, you got a good deal at Big Bazaar and distributed a set of 12 jars to 12 friends! It is very lowbrow and if you are this miserly, I would suggest skipping gifting would be a much better idea. Speaking of low budget — fruits, a potted plant, a book or some homemade eatables would be a much better gift, no? Unless, your main motive in gifting this is to snap ties with the receiver, this is highly avoidable.
Recycled gifts
Okay, we Indians are a thrifty breed so why throw away something useless? Let’s give it away. Not a bad thought if the recycling is at least done intelligently and appropriately. It is quite clear that no one gifts a handbag or a sari which clearly looks out of fashion for Diwali or a children’s book for an age group that you kids don’t belong to. So, please spare each other the agony. Avoid recycled gifts. Give things away to people who you know need, appreciate and will use them. Also, please avoid leaving behind previous gifting evidence in your gifts. That is very embarrassing.
Random home décor:
I have gifted them too and have received a few as well. Some I’ve cherished like a beautiful oil painting, wind chime or a sandalwood statue because they were tasteful. And there are others I have thrown away. So cheap and tacky, I didn’t wish to pass them on to anyone. Plastic flowers are a big no-no and so are run-of-the-mill items which you may have picked up from the roadside. Diwali is not the time to offload your flea-market escapades.The bottomline is not expensive but gifts that speak for the giver.
Yes, gifts are beautiful but don’t give gifts for the sake of it. Trust me, you don’t have to spend a packet for a nice gift. Just use your creativity and do keep the person you are gifting in mind. If still in doubt, ask the person for their preferences. A gift voucher is better than useless gifts for sure.
No matter what you do, don’t gift something you wouldn’t wish to get yourself!
Rachna says 
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