What Gifts to Take to India?

Caprimax

Hi Everyone! I'm going to India in January (mainly Rajasthan, some MP) I would like to take some small (small price/small size) gifts for people I meet along the way. Does anyone have any suggestions of what would make a nice gift/souvenir from Miami, Florida. Please give me ideas of gifts for women, children and men. Thanks in advance.

machadinha

For passing around stuff to complete strangers in more off-track areas, postcards from where you live go down well. People will cherish them & gladly show to others this token of their good foreign friend, so a simple personal message on the back won't go amiss either.

Along those same lines, a photo of you and your family or close ones could also be an idea. Family is big in India so if you have some complicated relationships, just say it's your family anyway.

Oh and before our metro youngster crowd flips out again about condescension and stuff, I'm talking a little bit away from downtown Delhi and Mumbai etc.

(*Thinking some more: I met many many people who would readily give me a simple piece of jewellery, a ring or earring or bracelet or so. No little to my shame I could never return the gesture as what I wear are all personal gifts etc. One good idea is to wear some stuff that you won't mind giving away, and I say wear it as it will give it that personal touch. This can easily be simple stuff, it's really just the gesture that counts. You could stock up on some cheap bangles and stuff in India.)

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Jean-Philipe

Coins from your country are always popular especially with kids. New shiny ones are best.

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tacita

Excellent idea, Jean-Phillipe. I'll be visiting a child I sponsor while in India in February, meeting him for the first time. While I've sent him postcards of my home town (New York City), I think bringing him some shiny coins would be a huge hit. Someone suggested pix of my actual home, but I resist that suggestion, given the obvious gross disparities in our living conditions.

Machadinha, family photos to show are a great idea as well. Lots of blue-eyed, pale, tow-heads heads on one side - nice ethnic contrast - a veritable ethnic freak-show.

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ranjan154

Anything unique but cheap will do. i.e toys for children, small show piece for women and t-shirts for men.

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machadinha

Yes the coins also go down well really esp. with kids, it's a good tip, had forgotten about them. <sigh> & now we only have this stupid singular euro...

btw With the pics, take some to give away I meant. You'll be surprised how many complete strangers want to have their picture taken with you, I imagine they tell their friends later this is their good friend so-and-so.

spike

We always take some balloons to give to the children. It's light, cheap, easy to pack, and the children go crazy when they get them.

Nick-H

It's a nice idea, but you can so easily buy balloons here!

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Noodle

Chocolate, candy ... for kids.

For men: my father in law (Indian) always asked me to bring a bottle of Jimmy Walker ... maybe too heavy, but you could take a couple of these small ones you find in hotel fridges. What he also liked was Gillete shaving equipment (blades, foam, after shave).

For women lipsticks perhaps? Maybelline, Max Factor or some other famous brand? You get some here now too, but too expensive I'd guess for village people. Perfume samples?

Thorning

I usualy give away Rubik's cubes when I'm out traveling, even though it's kind of expensive
I can solve any cube and it's a great conversation and show-off piece that makes alot of smiles!

Nick-H

Perhaps I'm a meanie ...but there really isn't any need to be giving stuff away all over the place!

If you are going to visit a friend or family there, then that is different.

Caprimax

THANK YOU to everyone for all those GREAT ideas. And Nick, don't worry, I am not passing out gifts to everyone like Santa Claus...but I do want to take some things...for some people...

ranjan154

Thanks for visiting India. Have a great memorable vacations. Wish you a great time in India.

Nick-H

there goes me misunderstanding again.

I did have visions of you doing mass distribution on the streets!

basil

A boy in rajasthan asked me if I could exchange his 1 Euro coin into rupees