Best Gift Ideas To Take Home From India

We’ve talked a lot about what What To Bring When You Move To Dehradun, but one subject that can be overlooked in the beginning is what to take HOME from India when visiting friends and relatives.

There are certainly no end to handicrafts and knickknacks to be had in any Indian market, but what gifts and souvenirs do people really want from India? Let my experience (and occasional failures) be your gift giving guide!

*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*

Scarves / Dupattas

This is the traditional gift for anyone who loves the beauty and elegance of Indian fashion and for good reason. I frequently get messages when the folks back home use a dupatta as a scarf, a throw, or even a table runner. I usually bring dupattas on alternate years, but even though some people back home have a collection of 3 or 4 I am often scolded if I try to gift anything else!

Pros: Easy to pack, authentic, and prices that range from expensive to very cheap 

Cons: Not always a hit with guys

Cricket Balls

If you’re looking for a gift that will be appreciated by everyone, this is your answer.  It really is hard to beat a beautiful cricket ball with glittering gold lettering. Seriously, if you are from any country without a cricket culture, your friends and family are going to LOVE this gift. 

Pros: Easy to pack, easy to find, can be had for less than ₹150 each (choose non-competition)

Cons: You can only give once and every other gift may be a disappointment

Chai Kits

One aspect of Indian culture beloved around the world is the sweet, milky tea known as chai. I like to make a kit consisting of small handmade boxes found in the bazaar stuffed with individual chai sachets from our local grocery store and printed instructions on how to make an authentic cup of Indian chai!

Pros: Cheap, relatively easy to pack, great gift whether they drink the chai or not

Cons: More effort to gather & assemble

*OTHER IDEAS*

Chocolate

While it may not feel like the most original gift idea on the list, few people hate chocolate. I always take home a small stack of Amul chocolate bars as backup gifts for anyone I meet. There are a vast number of varieties but I usually take a mix of Twilight Tryst Milk and Dark chocolate (the box looks SO Indian), Super Fruit (my personal favorite), and Camel’s Milk (for the more adventurous on your list). 

Pros: Easy to find, easy to pack, works for men/women/young/old

Cons: Doesn’t feel as authentic, might melt in your bag, no one ever eats the camel’s milk

Trinkets By Amazon

If you are well organized and keep your eyes open year round, you should have no trouble finding interesting and inexpensive trinkets in your local market. If you have a tendency to put things off and are scrambling to take care of 10,000 other things while also worrying about gifts, there’s always Amazon. Given this exact predicament early this year, I searched “elephant statue”, ordered 10 boxes, and ended up with serviceable gifts for everyone I visited back home. If you’re willing to spend more, check out Chumbak in your local mall.

Pros: Super easy, not too expensive

Cons: Much heavier than other options

Miniature Vehicles

It can be difficult to bring something special home for my nephews who are more into Nerf than saffron. For them I’ve found that India-specific toys like rickshaws, traditionally decorated trucks, or even a model of my Royal Enfield motorcycle have been big hits.

Pros: Cheap, easy to find locally or on Amazon

Cons: Selection is usually limited

What do you think? We’d love to hear from you about your Indian gift ideas or if you have any questions not covered in this article. Comment below or send us a message!

ABOUT CARLTON
Carlton moved to Dehradun in 2017 where he fell in love with the Himalayan mountains. He especially enjoys riding motorcycles and hiking in the mornings with his dog, Malay.

Carlton is the Director of the top school for foreigners learning Hindi in Dehradun. Students learn from Indian teachers and help support young people beginning their professional careers while getting the best Hindi instruction in the city. To learn more about Heritage Institute of Languages click here.

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