In its special Diwali gifting series, The Mint focused on families giving away some unique Diwali gifts for friends and relatives. Anindita Ghose in an essay made mention of such off-beat gifting ideas. 

“What do you gift those who almost have everything they might need?” the writer asked, referring to the Sharmas - Jyotsana and Arjun – who decided to buy potted basil plants in lemon, camphor and tulsi varieties as Diwali gifts.

Their festive gifting plans reflect the austerity debate. But for them it’s more a practical option since the two increasingly find extravagant gifting a pointless exercise. Jyotsana testifies to the undesirable phenomenon of gift recycling. One gift she would though, never pass on is an orchid a friend gifted her. Nurturing it has become an engaging experience, which is why she chose to the green gifting idea.

She approached a local herb store to source their plants from a wide range of medicinal and exotic herbs. The couple opted for basil for its sociological ties with Indian tradition. In fact, the family has almost done away with the whole concept of gifting since the last couple of years. Instead it donates to charitable foundation.

Diwali is an occasion that prompts more donations, which would go to each family member’s chosen charity. Arjun supports Chintan, an NGO that is part of Project Arman. His mother, a doctor by profession, manages a charitable dispensary. Wife Jyotsana supports two animal shelters. A foundation named after Arjun’s father funds a hospital, temple and school in their native village. Every year, the dotting donors throw a party for the rag picking children after Diwali.

Instead of lavish gifting, the family tries to revive the tradition of get-togethers to strengthen the bonds of love. The message here is that, you can celebrate Diwali not just by splurging, but also by donating to charities, and going green. 

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If you are still unclear about what to really gift him or her to strengthen the bond of your relationship on any special occasion, here are some simple yet interesting gift ideas.

Generally speaking, giving your partner something he or she might have been thinking to get is a perfect way to show your love. It’s indicating that you care about the person’s tastes and understand what makes him or her truly happy.

Whatever the gift, make it a point to personalize it with some engraving. This will add a romantic touch to it. You can think of a gift like cuff links or a locket engraved with the person’s initials or a message. It’s not really about how much you can spend, but rather about the personal touch you add to it. A picture perfect photo frame will also work.

You may make a scrapbook of special photographs defining various milestone moments of your lovely relationship. Sift through old albums to collate those memorable moments on a romantic occasion This will indeed make a beautiful gift.

And just one passing thought; why do you have to wait for a special occasion to shower someone you love with gifts? Gifts are great, anytime…

If you are in the early stages of a relationship, but are serious about it, be more thoughtful and choose your gift with greater care so that he or she appreciates your gesture and accepts the apparent or subtle message regarding your desire for long term relationships.

If you are still confused, and cannot still make your mind, gift vouchers will do. They are available in variable denominations – from Rs 500 to Rs 10000, and you can pick them depending on your budget.

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In the previous post, we sneaked into marvelous Madhuri’s happy married life. Ram, her husband gives her gift on her birthdays and other special occasions. It does not really matter what the gift is. Madhuri is happy receiving them.

As you would agree, there is no such a thing as perfect gift. Tastes of different persons obviously are different. Also, it all depends on the current state, shade and intensity of your relationship!

Basically speaking, the thoughtful gift is the one that counts and creates a space for you in the person’s mind. If you take the effort to work out what the person is aspiring for, and give a gift accordingly, the price tag won’t matter. It might be a book by the person’s favorite author or his/her favorite singer’s music CD. If the person loves collecting certain memorabilia, you can add to the collection.

With a bit of planning and innovative thinking, you can get a perfect gift that conveys your sentiments and adds value to the relationship. Instead of pushing a rushed delivery of flowers, or last-minute reservation request at a restaurant, think of your gift and locate your favorite romantic spot well in advance for any special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.

A loving husband may opt for a set of soft silk sheets in conventional colors like dark maroon or silver would make a good gift. Dress your bed and decorate a vase on a bedside table with some fresh flowers. When she walks in, she will get a real surprise!

Love charts its own undefined course. Yet you can give a definite direction to it with timely gesture to match your level of involvement and the intensity of your love. 

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In the previous blog, we discussed ways and means of refusing a gift. If receiving a gift makes you feel slightly uncomfortable or you believe it can cause some damage to an important business relationship, it is correct to refuse the gift, but in an appropriate manner. Here are some more common etiquettes of gifting – both while giving and receiving:
 
First of all, do not ever think of recycling a gift that you have received, at least, within the same circle of friends or else you will be caught. (Remember, that TV commercial of the same gift changing hands, doing rounds of different homes, and ultimately landing with the first person who had gifted it, to start with. On other hand, if you receive something that you know is not original, try not to look dejected or disappointed. Accept it with a smile on your face and set your mind to it.

If you want to return the gift, do so without opening it, if possible. Avoid the temptation of what the ‘generous’ giver has opted to gift. This gives the person the option of recycling the gift. In fact, it always makes sense to check your office policy on accepting any kind of gift from clients.

Though it might just be a small gift, if your company’s policy says that accepting any gift from the clients is not appropriate, it should be returned. If a gift from one of your business associates looks like a favor, it should be returned.

In certain cases, a giver might refuse to take the gift back. In such a case, do not make a coworker or a client feel embarrassed about giving. Keep a formal record of your correspondence, if any. Make sure you’ve notified the senior person in your office about the chain of events.

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It is essential that you first review your office policy on accepting a gift from clients. Even though it may be a small token gift, if your company policy states that accepting favors in form of gifts needs prior permission or is inappropriate, it makes better sense to return the gift. If a gift from one of your business associates is questionable in nature, it should be preferably returned or refused.

As far as possible, never make a co-worker or client feel embarrassed or ashamed about generous giving. It may happen that a generous giver refuses to take back his or her gift. In such a scenario, keep a proper record of your correspondence with the person and try to make sure that you have notified the appropriate authority in your chain of command or hierarchy.

Conversely, there’s also a way of taking a gift back from the person whom you happened to send a wrong gift item by mistake. Now this leads to a dilemma whether to take it back or let it go.

If you indeed have made such a mistake and have ended sending up a wrong gift to a wrong person, the best recourse would be accepting it and explaining the mistake you made and apologize for it. If you wish to take back the gift given for whatever reasons, be polite in talking to that person.

On other hand, while giving a gift first check what exactly the guidelines are for corporate gifting in your company and also of the person to whom you are planning to gift. If there are any stipulated norms for budget, logo printing etc, understand them clearly. Once you have done so, you can start looking for an appropriate gift.

Find gifts that are unique in terms of appearance and usage. The next step is elegant packaging and actual presenting with grace so that the receiver is happy and not embarrassed.

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When someone gives you a gift, you should know how to accept it graciously. The following tips will help you in this regard.

Open the present and gush over the stuff. Try to appreciate the gesture and not the gift itself if you believe the person is genuine and sincere in giving it to you. If it is engraved, specially made, specially ordered or monogrammed, make note of it, and let the person know it.

A vocal or written show of appreciation is the most appropriate response. For instance, hold it up and tell the person how perfect it’s for your next business trip. Be as diplomatic as far as possible.

Every gift deserves attention and appreciation. If you are pleased with the gift, express it so. Do not forget to pen an effusive thank you card especially for a special gift from a more special person. You may fill even your short thank you note with sincerity and appreciation. A handwritten note should be posted and not sent by electronic mail.

Mention of the appropriateness of the gift received: You can describe a gift as a ‘unique’ to make the person feel gratified. Tie the appropriateness of the item to the person who gifted it to you by saying: “You have always understood my tastes in so and so things.”

Let the giver know how you are planning to use a gift. Also, write about how you intend to use the gift by noting: “I’ve a picture of my baby/wife/parents that will just look perfect in your photo frame. If you received cash in gift, mention how you plan to spend it.

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There are those timeless scents - spicy and warm for winter, and Fruity or minty for summer. Here’s looking at some new smells spreading around for breathing a new life in your relationship. You can choose from a whole range of perfumes, which are ideal to spread romance in the air.

Smell of lilies: Body Shop has launched a new fragrance range ‘Aqua Lily’. It’s a fresh, delicate and water floral-based fragrance. This does not merely reflect a product that smells like lilies. Body Shop has moved a step ahead, to dig up some history, to mix it up with the smell. To the Chinese, lilies symbolize ‘forever in love’; the Greeks termed it the ‘flower of flowers’, whereas the Romans often blended fresh lilies with roses and scattered on their beds.
There is a whole range including Aqua Lily perfume oil, eau de toilette, body spray, etc. The fragrance is a blend of watermelon, dewy bamboo, green apple, pink pepper and tangerine in harmony with floral notes of rose, violet, muguet and, of course, lily.

Burberry The Beat: Nothing to beat flower power in a hot, humid weather for women who wish to smell their best; Burberry The Beat is a cool option, which instantly energizes with a youthfulness thanks to its sparkling, woody and floral fragrance.
Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste: This is a young fragrance typically Bvlgari in its subtle sophistication. The perfume is inspired by the amethyst gemstone’s aura. The floral scents exuded by it are refreshing. They remind one of rose gardens and morning dew.
Burberry The Beat is sexy, feminine and vibrant, with its smoky, sensual musk and wooden tones, blended with the aroma of traditional Ceylon tea and bluebells! This gift is an ode to nature and flowers.

Chrome Legend: Azzaro’s new fragrance for men is packed with scents duly extracted from nature- flowers and forests. It is a fresh, intense smell with notes of citrus that reminds one of sea spray and green frosted leaves. There are also under-notes of woody, musky amber essences.

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Archies perfumes: Archies has on offer a range of perfumes that are classy, yet affordable,, including Black Magic, Stupid Cupid Parfum, Voce Men, Stupid Cupid Deo, Lovely Chastity, Happy Days.
NafNaf (for women): A recently launched version of fragrance NafNaf brings a feeling of happiness highly accentuated with fruity accords. It heralds awakening of enthusiasm, and new adventures.
NafNaf fragrance, excitingly romantic, opens a new door to emotions. It creates a fruit cocktail with mouthwatering pear and mango, leading to elegant heart that introduces a floral bouquet of orange blossom, jasmine and iris with hints of watery fruity aromas as well as peony.

Gaultier 2 Perfume: This Perfume by Jean Paul Gaultier, the famous design house, possesses a blend of Vanilla, Musk and Amber. The seductive tones are nicely blended through a smoke screen of myrhh and incense, for a fragrance that impart sensuality.

I Loewe You: This women’s fragrance is aimed at an innocent, extrovert, spontaneous teenager. It belongs to the family of fruity and floral fragrances. ‘I Loewe You’ would serve as an exclusive gift for the lively and ingenious female you want to get cozy with.
Elle: This fantastic fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent will win the hearts of young, modern, urban girls. It is tender and brings joy with luminous lemon’s crisp notes of along with litchi on the peony petal. Elle is perfectly wearable!
The Hugo XX and XY: The Hugo style, the version XX for females, brings gourmand fruity notes, whereas that for men (XY) fetches an aromatic rhythm. The former is available in golden campaign tones, whereas the men’s is metallic grey tone. They are created so for emphasizing the differences between both sexes, also highlighting the mutual magnetic attraction.

Davidoff Adventure: The Davidoff Adventure, a men’s perfume, has been inspired by adventure - the concept of wild nature with hot spices and bright colors has been blended to remind the wearer of the sensuality of exotic woods and the humid freshness of the rainforest.

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If you are planning to gift perfume, here are some basic facts to be kept in mind:
Alcohol content in perfumes makes them emanate sweet smells from one’s skin. Without it, only the wearer would know about it.
Find a fragrance that complements skin type and natural aroma of body of the person whom you want to gift it.
The scent should be pleasant enough and subtle enough to enhance the wearer’s personality.
A perfume lasts longer on some individuals than on others owing to differences in our skin (dry or oily) as well as in our PH levels. Try layering your perfume to ensure a longer effect.
Apply perfume low on the body and on your neck so that it gradually rises and won’t be lost quickly. Just a light spray on the hair can last whole day. It can be sprayed on the inside of the elbow, on the wrist, and back of the knees.
The best time to apply perfume is after a shower or bath, when skin pores will be open and can soak up the fragrance.
Keep perfume - gifted or bought - in cool, dry area. Keep it away from direct sunlight since it can unbalance the various ingredients.
An opened perfume bottle should be put in its box, when not in use, to ensure a longer shelf life.
Use non-deodorized soap where perfume is to be applied. Soaps and deodorants can affect how it will smell on your skin!

Certain types of jewelry like costume or pearl jewelry can get discolored owing to perfume alcohols. Some can also lose it outer coating. When wearing perfume with such f jewelry type, spray it away from the jewelry.
You can gift a variety of perfumes for different seasons that go with the person’s body and personality type.

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Vivacious, mischievous and exuberant, every individual yearns for a fragrance, which is fresh and rejuvenating. Take your own sweet and scented time while perfume shopping. Before you buy a perfume fragrance for gifting, consider following things.

Perfume shopping for someone special isn’t something that you can do in a day. You need to know and understand his or her personality type and style before making your choice or else it may all go wrong.

For example, there are some fascinating floral favorites for women. If she likes a touch of romance in everything she sees, smells and feels, a floral scent will complement her appeal. Picks for such personality type are Burberry Weekend and Carolina Herrera.

The Oriental Spice is for those who ooze sophistication and natural confidence. They obviously know what they want from life and have a way of getting it. You can spice it up with these fragrances picks (for men: Alfred Dunhill Dunhill; for women: Kenzo Flower, Dior Poison, Giorgio Armani Sensi.

There is woody fragrance for the sensual type. If the person you wish to gift is sensual, albeit classy and free-spirited yet grounded, woody fragrances make the best choice. Burberry Brit and Dior Fahrenheit are the picks for men whereas the picks for such women are Yves St Laurent’s Opium, or Calvin Klein Obsession.

There is a peculiar aromatic blend for self-made men, especially those who alue all that is classic and exude true machismo. The picks in this category are Gendarme Gendarme and Calvin Klein Eternity for Men.

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