Importance of Gifting In Indian Culture

For centuries, gifting has held a special place in Indian culture. Obviously, the traditions turned new leaves over time. But the basics remain the same. The act of giving and receiving gifts relies on the emotional, social, and cultural implications. The old Indian tradition of gifting plays a pivotal role in strengthening bonds and conveying sentiments. In fact, it is now proven by psychological studies as well. From festivals to weddings, from religious ceremonies to personal celebrations, gifting has been an ancient Indian custom that was adopted by the West long ago. Here’s everything about gifting and the rich significance of gifting in Indian culture.

India has been following the gifting tradition on every personal, professional, national, and traditional occasion. Although, the two major gifting festivals are Raksha Bandhan and Diwali. Talking about the former one, on this day, sisters tie a holy thread called Rakhi on their brother’s wrist. However, if the siblings live far away from each other, sisters send rakhi online to their brother’s doorstep, preserving the essence of the festival. In return, the brother surprises his sister with a present. On the other hand, on Diwali, friends, family, neighbors, and relatives exchange and wish for each other’s health, prosperity, and wellness.

Gifts Based on Occasions

In gifting culture, choosing the right gift on different occasions is necessary. Gifting in India is a tangible expression of emotions, often a way to communicate feelings that words might not fully express. Be it a parent’s affection, a friend’s appreciation, or a spouse’s love, gifts are tokens of these sentiments. Therefore, it’s essential to pick the appropriate present on any occasion. 

Festivals and celebrations: Giving food items in India is the supreme token of love. That’s exactly what we do for religious ceremonies and festivals. Whatever snacks you decide to give, it is considered auspicious to pair them up with some sweets and dry fruits. For instance, people give a box of cookies and snackables to their friends and relatives on Diwali. But there’s always a sweet delicacy and dry fruits to wish for a healthy life. On Rakhi, the brother presents a rakhi gift for sister along with a box of chocolates or mithaai.

Birthdays and Anniversaries: On birthdays and anniversaries, items such as clothing, jewelry, handlooms, and other useable things are considered as a token of good wishes. Needless to say, gifts for birthdays depend upon the age of the person. For instance, you can give a baby care kit or silver spoon to a toddler. Whereas, the same won’t work for a teenager or adult. 

Wedding Gifts: Wedding gifts are often hyped in India. The people who are close to the couple often give them expensive gifts such as gold or other home essentials. While the family treats them with items like furniture, appliances, or even an automobile. It is believed that gifting strengthens the sense of kinship between immediate family members, extended relatives, and friends.

Additionals: Well, gifting in India is not limited to occasions. In fact, it holds a degree of social etiquette. People often take gifts while visiting someone’s home or meeting someone after a long time. On such special moments, people take some fruits, food, beverages, or a gift pack from the market. Also, while leaving, the elders give shagun to the younger ones in the family. These gestures signify respect and gratitude, enhancing social harmony.

Return Gifts: Gifting is often seen as an opportunity to give back to society or our loved ones. Upon receiving gifts on any occasion or ceremony, the receiver also presents everyone with return gifts. For instance, return gifts on birthdays are home essentials like bedsheets or showpieces. At weddings, the family of the couple thank everyone for their blessings with a fruit basket, and so on. 

The Extra One Rupee!

There’s one more tradition of gifting in India. Often gifts are accompanied by an amount of money that serves as a token of prosperity. This amount is always increased by 1 rupee to denote abundance. That one rupee is believed to be a part of Goddess Lakshmi as it is made of metal and metal comes from earth. By giving them that rupee, we wish more wealth and fortune for our loved ones. No matter how much big amount you give, that coin is the symbol of continuous blessing and financial growth.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, gifting in Indian culture transcends the material realm. Gifting in India is not based on showing off luxury but on expressing love and emotions. Furthermore, it emphasizes the values of compassion and empathy. This is why many cultural and religious practices involve donating gifts to the underprivileged and less fortunate. Besides, it promotes relationships, and values, and uplifts connections that bind individuals, families, and communities. The act of giving is deeply rooted in a desire to celebrate, appreciate, and share, making it an integral part of the cultural ethics that continues to thrive in India.