Despite the flurry of recent weddings, it's not quite the gifting season. With runaway inflation and fuel price hike imposing callous budgetary constraints, it's a struggle to rustle up a gift that meets your budget. A good option is to go green. No, these products are not as expensive as you think and, no, they don't lack in style either. in fact, they are just the innovative alternatives that could keep your wallet and the environment in the pink of health.
Here are some such gifting ideas:
Organic beauty products body-care products must rank second only to jewellery as a popular gift for women. However, these beautifully packaged chemicals come with heavy price tags. So, swap them for traditional, time-tested formulas made with natural ingredients. The packaging is as enticing as the price, both of which make for a trendy choice.
Consider these options at Khadi Gram Udyog stores. Price: gift packs vary between rs 100 and Rs 300. Herbal soap costs Rs 45, natural hair cleanser and herbal body cleanser (250 ml) come for Rs 75-85.
Planters, instead of bouquets the florist is likely to charge Rs 70-100 for a medium-sized bouquet and the neighbouring gift shoppe offers artificial flowers that usually cost rs 20 per stem. Before splurging on flowers that have a short shelf-life, why not check out the nukkad nursery? These outlets stock a large variety of plants, which are not only cheaper than flowers but can be personalised by choosing a vase to suit the occasion.
If treated well, these greens can be companions for life. Price: planters cost between Rs 20 and Rs 40 depending on your choice; vases cost rs 30 onwards. pottery and stone carvings trade the standard cutglass vases and ornamental pieces for earthen pottery. The options are unlimited and cost much less. Be it paper-thin kagzi pottery from kutch or glazed arabian earthen vases, terracotta animals from bengal or tanjore dolls, the traditional ware is appealing.
Similarly, there are decorative items in stone carvings, which can serve the purpose equally well. Visit any handicrafts market and take your pick. price: terracotta vases cost rs 300-400, while the stone ones come for rs 500-600. ethnic wear apart from the usual saris and shervanis, most apparel stores house indo-western fusion wear and formals.
A linen shirt is likely to cost Rs 700-3,000, depending on the label, while khadi stores have attractive cotton shirts priced in the range of rs 250-400. You can accessorise these with ties that will cost Rs 75, or belts (Rs 100-200), bands (Rs 30-50), bags (Rs 100-200), pouches and wallets (Rs 50-250). There's jewellery too, which comes in wood, fabric, stones, etc. all of these are handmade/hand-spun and often priced lower than their branded counterparts. visit stores like people's tree, khadi and the local flea market.
Price: women's shirts/kurtis start at Rs 200, men's kurtas at Rs 400. Wooden toys it's a toy story crafted in wood. If you've been as dazed as your kid by the cheap, chinese plastic wonders, it's time to discard the blinkers and go wooden. choose from animals, cars, trains, dolls, puzzles, tool boxes, building blocks and chess boards, which are ideal for kids between three and 10 years and can give the chinese collection a run for its money. Non-toxic, durable and definitely more eco-friendly than plastic, these toys make for a unique, wallet-friendly gifting option. Price: a wide variety is available in the range of Rs 200-400. Trade traditional gifts for unique, eco-friendly options, which are not only readily available but also cheaper than you think.
