Indian Gift Giving 101: Traditions, Customs, Do’s and Don’ts
Last updated on December 7th, 2016
In India, gift giving is a form of expressing friendship and affection, and according to their religious belief, a way to move on to the next life. In building a strong relationship, whether friendly or professional, it is essential that one has to know the traditional gift giving customs practiced by the majority of the Indian people. The Hindus are very traditional and despite the global modernization, they remain faithful to their age-old beliefs.
Looking for Indian housewarming gifts? Check this new blog post for a list.
Although your host may try to understand you for making a mistake and will not appear displeased in front of you, it is best to know what you should and should not do in India.
What You Should Choose When Giving Gifts to Indians?
General Indian Gift Giving Gift Giving Etiquette
Presents wrapped in green is considered good luck!
Here are some things you should do when give gifting to Indian people:
- It is not unusual to receive a gift from your host/hostess on your initial visit to their home, so to be prepared to return the gesture, bring flowers or sweets on your visit
- Gifts are usually presented upon arrival at a host’s house, and are given to the head of the household.
- Gifts are offered with both hands.
- If your host drinks, a high quality bottle of scotch will be fine.
- You can bring gifts for your host’s children, they will find this gesture sweet.
- If you are staying with a family, feel free to ask them what they would like. They don’t find this action offensive.
- When giving money as gifts, make sure it is an odd number, like $11, instead of $10.
- Flowers are always welcome but different flowers have different meanings so just buy roses (as long as they’re not white) to be on the safe side.
- Use bright colors for gift wraps. Green, yellow, and red are considered lucky colors.
So, here are some examples of ideal gifts for Indians.
- Sweets – in India, you can never go wrong with sweets on any occasion.
- Electronic gadgets
- Knives, disposable razors
- Perfumes and toiletries
- Household Items
- Toys and books (for children)
What Should You Avoid When Giving Gifts to Indians?
Indians strongly believe in karma so the practice of gift-giving must always be returned. Avoid giving expensive gifts for the recipient will feel obliged to return the favor and may cause embarrassment.
- Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver. If you receive a wrapped gift, set it aside until the giver leaves
- Never present a gift using only your left hand, the left hand is considered “unclean” in India.
- Never give anything made of leather. Cows are very sacred for the Hindus and giving a leather item is very insulting.
- Most Indians don’t drink alcoholic beverages so unless you are sure that your host drinks, don’t bring wine.
- Many Indians are vegetarians so when bringing food, make sure that it is free from any meat and even egg products.
- Don’t wrap gifts in black or white, which are considered unlucky colors.
- Never offer Frangipanis. These flowers are associated with funerals.
- The Indian people are very conservative and they generally don’t appreciate expensive gifts so keep your presents simple
- Any form of jewelry is seen as an intimate gift. Women and family members may exchange jewelry but gifts such as these coming from a male may reflect a different intention.
Here are some examples of gifts that you should avoid giving in India.
- Leather goods
- Meat products or food with meat or egg in it
- Alcohol
- Gifts wrapped in white or black
Indian Housewarming Gifts
Indian housewarming gifts follow the general rules of gift giving in India. If you are looking to buy housewarming gifts for an Indian host or hostess, you can check out this post we recently made.
Business Gift Giving Custom In India
Business gifts are not very popular in India since this is seen by the majority as a form of bribery. If you really want to bring something for your business associate, a souvenir or a delicacy from your home country will do.
Gift Giving Occasions in India
- Diwali – or the festival of lights is the most celebrated holiday in India. Diwali is a five-day celebration filled with family gatherings and gift-giving. Sweets, clothes, and ghee (clarified butter) are the most common gifts during this event.
- Rakhi – also known as “Raksha Bandhan”. It is a special occasion that celebrates the bond of love between a brother and a sister. Rakhi means a “bond of protection” so a ritual is observed on a full moon day on which sisters tie bracelets on their brothers’ left wrist , and receive a promise of protection in return.
- Housewarming – if you are invited to a housewarming party in India, bring bread, spices, sweets, candies, or flowers.
- Birthday – since birthday parties are more popular among Hindu children than adults, toys, candies, and new clothes are the most common gifts.
- Christmas – Christmas for Indians is not a religious event but more of a fun affair. Gifts and food are also exchanged among family members and friends.
- Wedding – cash gifts are most accepted in weddings, though gold and jewelry are sometimes given by relatives and close friends. Money gifts should always end in “1’ like $101, $1001, or $111.
- Baby Showers – one of the most popular gifting occasions. Expectant mothers are presented with jewelry which she will later pass on to her baby. Mothers expecting a baby girl often receive baby saris (traditional Indian dresses), while others also receive money and Hindu statues as gifts.
About the Author
I have an Indian surgeon doctor, a genius who saves lives everday.
What gift can I get him to show my gratitude, and let him know how appreciated he is?
An affluent Hindu family is opening their home to host a fundraiser party for the nonprofit I work for. They have been very kind and more than accommodating. There are 4 generations living in their mansion, from 80 to 5! What would be a gift our organization could give them to show our appreciation?
An Indian woman that I recently met at a meditation course has invited some of the ladies from our course to her home for light snacks and meditation. I would like to bring her some red tulips or roses. Is one more appropriate than the other?
I know that red is considered a lucky color.
Thanks
My boss just announced that his wife is pregnant with their first child. They are Indian and I would love to give them a traditional gift. What would you suggest?
My son is marrying a Hindu young lady, first generation Indian American, I would like to know if there is a traditional gift that is suggested for a mother-in-law to daughter-in-law.
It depends on how Indian she is, if she is traditional and still bound to Indian culture. I would recommend the mother in law to gift a Mangal Sutra(via her Son ) and get it tied around her neck after rituals of Marriage.
You could also gift her gold jewellery. Hindu women love gold jewellery. It could be necklace or gold bangles.
You could also gift her a saree, or an idol of Radha-Krishna but it depends on her life style.
As a last resort, you could gift her cash as rightly pointed out in the article in the following denominations( as these are considered auspicious) 101,501, 1100 , 5100 dollars etc
My son who is American is marrying a girl from India and is having a Maharashtrian wedding. There will be a wedding in American and then a week later in Mumbai. As the mother of the groom can you advise me what gifts for the bride and her parents would be acceptable and expected? Thank you
My boss keeps giving my daughter £5 and a meal with lots of spices eye in it. I have 4 children but she’s the youngest so I presume that’s Why? He’s never said why he does it only can I make sure she eats it! It’s heavily spiced so I’ve tried but she’s having none of it! If she won t eat it should I refuse it altogether?
Yes, there is a difference between Indian culture and remaining world. Indian also use flowers and fruit as a gifts. Even it is very common in India, when they visited to hospital to see their relatives, they bring fruits as a get well soon gift.
There are many assumptions in this post. And certain assumptions are offensive; certain assumptions funny. Not all Indians are Hindus and Christmas is indeed a very religious festival not a fun affair.
This is a reply to the post you left in Oct 2017..
I have a neighbor that has just had her baby today. I don’t know this family very well but was wondering what my family may be able to give them and how to give a gift properly.
Thank you very much for your time
-h
When giving gifts , Indians do not like to receive or give sharp gifts like set of knives or scissors etc. It is believed that doing so will create a rift in the relationship or be completely end.
Due to our live aboard boat being repaired we have stayed three months at a hotel where the owners are Indian and I wish to give them a gift for their kindness and hospitality during our stay. There is a traditional sweets and spices store locally, is this appropriate as a semi business gift?
Hello. My son-in-law is an Indian – Tamil. His sister is going to have a baby. I usually knit baby jackets, bootees etc. as a gift. Would it be offensive to the mum to be if the baby garments were knitted in white. Is there a more preferable colour?
Hello Kit. My future Indian in-laws will be visiting me for the wedding. What should I give them to welcome them for their first visit to my country (Taiwan) and express my gratitude to them? Thank you !
How about artisan goods that are vegetarian friendly? Examples are wine, jellies, dried fruits. Spice sets would also be nice.
Hello! When is it appropriate to give a Ganesh or an elephant ornament?
Thanks
We are leaving in 9 days for India…our daughter is marrying a Kashmiri fellow, whom we adore. We’ve met his family. They have a lot of precious and not precious jewelry and offered to loan me some of the not-precious for the wedding. I declined as I’m allergic….I think they understood, as our daughter is too!
But what are we expected to show up in India with for them, and for the uncles who have helped, enormously, to put this big wedding together? I keep staring at huge boxes of Godiva (very costly!) but don’t know if my suitcase will allow it.
Help!
Hi! I’m a Gujarati. My husband feels it’s bad luck to give shoes as birthday present
Is this true?
The Chinese do believe that, so maybe he picked that up from a Chinese colleague.
These are really great ideas and a great blog as well. I must also recommend Candeberg LED candles as an addition to the Christmas gifts ideas.
Kit! I’m so happy to have found this article! We live in an area where many Indians are here on working Visas and I have made friends with some of them. My daughter has known these 2 sisters for 3 years now and we are going to their birthday party. We got both girls some Barbies and I always like to pick dolls that look similar to the child I’m buying for (not the traditional blue eyes & blonde hair). I found this great eye doctor career Barbie for the oldest, and found “Barbies of the World- India Barbie” for the younger girl. Is that offensive? She looks like a beautiful Indian “princess” with clothing & jewelry inspired by India. But now I’m having second thought! I’d appreciate your input!
Not offensive at all! That is a really fine gift as it is. Toys are very much accepted as children’s gift, even encouraged. Have fun!
Hello. I wish to present an Indian coworker (female) with a gift for her birthday. Nothing edible. What would you suggest please? I was looking at business card holders with a Hindu emblem or beautiful scarf. Thanks.
The scarf sounds great. Also, please check out the item I suggested to Jacquie Sequin. You might also think it is beautiful.
I am invited to a friends mom birthday. the mom is from out of country. they are indian. What should i get her as a gift. I want to give her something as I quite like her. She is such a beautiful person.
How about this Hindu-inspired coaster set?
I have a sick Indian auntie that I will be visiting in hospital tomorrow – can you advise an appropriate gift to celebrate her culture and acknowledge her condition.
How about food? Bring a good vegetarian food, like a vegetarian lagna. Khichdi is a traditional Indian comfort food. Vegetarian, too.
A work colleague (not someone I would consider a “close” friend but a friend nonetheless) has invited me to the party for his son’s first birthday. Are there any traditional gifts that are good for a first birthday and are there anything (other than those you have already listed) that I should avoid?
Thank you
Nothing else. Toys are always appreciated.
My daughter has 3 children in her daycare who are from India. The children’s mother is a very kind woman. I have some clothing from India that I would like to give to the mother but I do not want to offend her in any way. Would I be out of line in doing so?
Hello, Shirley! I just asked a friend who is Indian. She said to go ahead. There are no bad associations with receiving used clothes from another person. Well, unless the recipient is a baby. Hope this helps!
Is it normal for indians to give an used clothes as a gift or object to a friend and then after a time, ask to give it back because they regreat it. I´ve been hurt about this, because in my culture that is considered as bad taste and skinflint, but is the second time that happens with an indian friend, so I really dont know how to take it.
I think it is bad etiquette for any culture to ask to take back something that was given as a gift. It is your clothes now, so you decide if you want to give it back or not. Always be polite, tho.