If you are keen on incorporating glitz n glamour to your gaudy gift, why not try out brash Bollywood themes. If you do not know how, this is something just for you. Here is a young designer who will do the job for you…

Dazzling designer Nida Mahmood, who admittedly has been a hardcore Hindi movie buff, would always dream of cute little things that we could see only on screen. That set her thinking how those gorgeous elements, which light up a film set, could be incorporated in one’s daily life. She mulled over the idea and integrated with the concept of gifting. 

The unique blend has given rise to a venture called as New India Bioscope. She has set it up with her friend Raul Chandra. It has just been over a month ago and the idea has clicked. She has already been chosen to refurbish the Art Deco Theatre in New Delhi, Nida is also going work for a Hollywood production, designing the outfits.

Spice and variety is the essence of her eccentric gift offerings.  These are no ordinary items. As you would realize, the techni-color fun has subtly spilled over onto ubiquitous objects from totes to keychains. She has added dramatic touch to them, terming it as an unadulterated Bollywood touch. There are captivating tea cups and other kitschy items like diaries, bags and home décor elements.

Prices might deter you, if not the concept itself! Price tag of a Gabbar chair will ring in your ears for days together. It is tagged at Rs 45,000. If you are looking for more affordable stuff, go for umbrellas with rain songs like ‘Pyar Hua’ and ‘Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si’ from the 90’s to those from the 50’s etched on them. These cost just about Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. A ‘Don’ notebook is just worth a few hundred rupees, while Bollywood keychains come cheaper at Rs 100.

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Corporate gifting

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Diwali indicates the victory of good over evil. To spread cheer, love and light, we celebrate Diwali. The festival is celebrated with diyas, lanterns and rangolis. It is an occasion to share joy and happiness. This is why we give special gifts to enlighten their lives with love and affection.

Make sure your gift this Diwali makes the person happy - be it your boss, your employee, your colleague, or your family friend. You may wonder if dry fruits, chocolates and sweets are among the only options when it comes to gift-giving on Diwali eve.

Well, it’s time that you try to go beyond those traditional symbols associated with Diwali celebration and do something unconventional, even strike a musical note. Look what the magical musical trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy has come up with this festive season. The three have chosen to get ‘musically’ innovative in their very own way!

The ‘breathless’ singer, Shankar Mahadevan gifted his dear friend and colleague Ehsaan, a Sennheiser HD series headphone. The latter was overjoyed to receive the present For him, this was among the most treasured Diwali gifts. Shankar was quoted as saying, “Music invariably brings a smile to one’s face, so this Diwali we thought of spreading happiness with it!”

Sennheiser’s quality sound equipment offers crystal clear sound level with noise cancellation. Loy also opted for the same gift. Even Ehsaan was to surprise with an unusual gift to his family n friends. “I didn’t want to give something they would expect.” Indeed, a gift gets special when it comes as a pleasant surprise. It’s the perfect gesture and truly serves its purpose!

Spread happiness and smiles with musical gifts instead of just chocolates and sweets, is the message from the musical trio of Shankar Ehsaan Loy this Diwali. Tune in to the real joy of Diwali…

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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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Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated all over India and around the globe where NRIs are settled in larger numbers. Diwali, also known as ‘Deepawali’, originates from the word ‘deep’ meaning the light from a row of tiny diyas in order to brighten the lives of each and every one as well as to spread positivity around. In essence, Diwali is celebrated to spread the light of love and hope.

To add value to your gift giving ritual, The Mint publication unveiled more than hundred enterprising ideas. It carried a special edition of the Lounge section devoted entirely to the tradition of gift giving in Diwali.

A series of special features covered a whole gamut of ideas - from environment-friendly products and almost-free gift ideas to splurge-worthy goodie. The idea was to find festive bounty for every budget.

The introductory essay noted: “No matter how lean the year, this is not the time to scrimp. In fact, it’s the season for some serious retail therapy. That’s why we went shopping for some beautiful goodies. There’re price tags suitable for every pocket.”

They made a conscious effort to steer clear of the diyas and candles. Their list covered the whole gamut of items from nice eco-friendly products and jewelry to beautiful handicrafts and fabulous almost-free gifting ideas.

Enlarging the spirit of gifting and giving, the Lounge team noted: “We also believe Diwali is not merely about exchanging gifts. It’s also a time to share our good fortune with those who may not perhaps have as much. Hence they also covered various ideas on giving gifts that have the power to change lives.

The Mint accumulated for readers to gift your near and dear ones to bring smiles on their faces. Click on the link below to check about enterprising gift ideas:

http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/09203732/104-ideas-to-be-everyone8217.html#

Tags: corporate gifting for employees, Corporate gifting India, corporate gifts companies, gifting india, business gift baskets, Gifting occasions, gifting etiquette, Worst gifts, low cost gifts, promotional gifts

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In the previous post, we suggested options for gym membership as an offbeat but highly effective mode to build a ‘healthy’ bond with friends and colleagues who really matter to you and to whom exercise matters owing to their hectic and stressed lifestyle.

You can help them in their quest to maintain themselves that much more with a ‘healthy’ gift. In this post, we shall consider an interesting Yoga-related gift idea. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is indeed a fine body of work.

In a short but sweet compilation, the magical personality offered insight into basic tenets of mysticism and various methods for experiencing altered states of consciousness; setting on a path to absoluteness.

Their website states: “Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic system and thus works against stress. Regular relaxation exercises help in developing the witness attitude and help one, to distance oneself from the apparent causes of stress.

Patanjali yoga, if carried out, true to its original spirit as mentioned in the yoga sutras, can truly calm you in body and mind. Right since 1918, the renowned Yoga Institute in the city of Mumbai (located in the serene suburbs of Santa Cruz) has been disseminating disciplined and graded lessons on

Yoga and has been publishing them in pocket editions. These act as a guide on Yoga and meditation practices. There are popular publications such as the ‘Yoga Asanas Simplified’.

It offers a perfect course of Yoga tenets for daily practice. The books, written by authorities like Shri Yogendra, have given a contemporary touch to the ancient science of Yoga.

The valuable offerings like books, VCDs and cassettes at the Yoga Institute present a balanced course of Yoga and techniques of rhythmic breathing during yoga. You can get books, VCDs and cassettes at the Yoga Institute, which make a timely gift under the circumstances.

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If you are wondering how Bollywood starlet Rani Mukerji managed to shed all those extra kilos and unwanted flab before facing the camera for her latest film ‘Dil Bole Hadippa’, the answer is regular yoga practice.

Apart from following a meticulously planned weight training module, she attended yoga sessions, which appear to have done the trick. It took the actress, according to industry sources, almost close to a year to do away with those extra 10 kg, which made her body look a little inflated in front of the camera.

Determined to lost weight in a systematic and natural way, Rani Mukerji approached a team of yoga and fitness experts to get herself a slimmer look. She had hired yoga teacher Payal Gidwani and fitness instructor Satyajit Churasia for ensuring a new slim, trim look.

Satyajit Chaurasia incidentally is the celebrity trainer, the brain behind Aamir Khan’s starting six-pack figure in super hit flick Ghajini. He was quoted as saying, ” It was in April (2008) that Rani (Mukerji) decided to tone up and lose the flab though she has been working out for a long time (with me).”

The duo chalked out a meticulous combination of cardio plus weight training. According to a news report, Rani Mukerji does weight training for half an hour and walks on the treadmill for exact 45 minutes five days a week. She underwent rigorous workout sessions as well, doing 300-500 stomach crunches and stretching exercises daily.

Why not seek inspiration from her, and ‘present’ your special friend or office colleague a healthy way of life. You may join them in the endeavor of trimming that extra flab and getting fit.

What are those offbeat but highly useful gift options, you sure would like to know! Await our next blog post to know more about them…

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Teacher’s Day is celebrated in India on September 5 as a sincere tribute to the hard work and devotion of the teachers. The occasion is dedicated to the first ever Vice President and the second President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was known to be a passionate advocate of education to all.

Here are some of the touching themes we have collated for you from online greetings sources. You can pick the one of your choice.

Love You Shower: Give this card to your teacher and shoe your love and respect to him or her.

Sincere Efforts: Appreciate your teacher for his or her unconditional support & efforts through this card.

You are my parents at school: Thanking you for being there.

Your helping hand…: Express your gratitude to your teacher.
Adjectives for a TEACHER: Express the respect you hold for your teacher.

Dear Teacher, Remembering You With…: A Thank you card! 

You Have Helped Us…: A card to your favorite teacher.

God Understood our…: Tell your Teacher that he is the best through this Card

Helping, guiding and tutoring me…: Wish a very happy teacher’s day!

You have always shown me the right way: Show your gratitude.

The Best Teacher!: For your all-time favorite teacher.

Award For A Teacher…: A charming way to make your teacher smile.

Guidance And Support!: Thank your teacher/ teachers for all what you have got from him/ her/ them.

Really Can’t Be Like You…: Send this fun card to your teacher and make him/ her smile.

You’ve Been A Friend…: A beautiful message for your teacher who has been a friend to you.

Missing You…: A cute ecard to let your teacher know how much you miss him/ her even after leaving the school.

‘Happy Teachers’ Day!’ greetings serve as an expression of our gratitude towards them.

Teachers’ Day wishes sure will make a touching gesture.

Take this opportunity to wish your teacher/s with some nice greeting cards and ecards.

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In our previous blog, we referred to the fact that gift cards can make a useful gift on festive occasions. As we found out, it can be a perfect Rakhi gift.

If you want to avoid the hassle of customizing your gift owing to lack of time or some other reason, you sure can consider gift card. In this post, we shall check their handy features that make them user friendly.

First of all, as you would realize, it is extremely convenient in terms of the flexibility that it offers to both the receiver as well as the giver. The former has the freedom in respect to what he or she can actually shop for, as well as where to shop.

On the other hand, the giver need not waste time in shopping and yet make the person happy for what he or she has been offered. In that sense, a gift card is unique! It may look very much like a ubiquitous debit or credit card. But not get deceived by its innocuous looks. What makes it truly attractive to give as a gift is its long duration and multiple usage facility.

Any shopping establishment that accepts a credit or debit card will naturally accept a gift card as well. It can even be employed for online purchases. It comes with a magnetic strip plus signature panel on its back. The panel has to be signed by the individual who is going to use it. However, keep in mind the fact that a gift card may be utilized for material purchases only.

You are not allowed to withdraw cash by using the card. Do not think of inserting it into your bank ATM. It will simply show you the balance on the card with a THANK YOU.

The card also cannot be topped up, meaning, once a certain amount loaded is loaded and the same has been exhausted, extra amount cannot be loaded onto it. It lets reusing but no reloading…

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Rakhi is the thread that symbolizes the bond of love. A sister ties it on her brother’s wrist. The latter gives a present to her. If you have failed to send your rakhi in time or get something interesting, there is no need to worry.

Though the festival of Rakhsha Bandhan is just over, don’t lose heart. Just go online and click. You can still look for something interesting and send it to your brother or sister!

Those who send their rakhi and gifts by post or courier often have a bad experience. A software professional in Noida narrated her experience in an article in The Hindustan Times. She recounted: “Once I sent a rakhi in Pune to my brother. They dispatched it first to Patna mistakenly and then it took them a month to send it to my brother’s correct address and that too torn.”

Owing to such incidents, people are wary of sending rakhi via post. Online portals are a better avenue for some truly interesting gifts and pooja thalis on any festive occasion. Online shopping platforms have caught up in the last few years. These portals are convenient and you don’t have to worry about what to purchase, where to buy and need not be concerned about timely delivery of gifts.

Another advantage of the portals is that they are up and running 24×7. They are open throughout the year and hence are extremely user friendly. Consumers can review different product options to take an informed decision order. They can order and secure any product, without leaving their home, round the clock.

No surprise, the concept of purchasing gifts online is fast gaining momentum owing to ease of shopping, According to online shopping portal HomeShop18’s CEO, Sundeep Malhotra, education and employment demands have resulted in a physical distance between sisters and brothers. Their aim is to bridge it and make sure that they receive their gifts irrespective of wherever they are based.

HomeShop18 has on offer a variety of gifting ideas like silver and pearl rakhis. The collection can either be purchased separately or they come in various combos with chocolates and other interesting gifts. Attractive thalis with sweets are available.

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With rains the air, chirpy children are back to school. It’s that time the year to meet old classmates, to study, to shop for books, notebooks and other accessories. If you rewind back to your childhood days, college and school reopening has a charm of its own. As you would recount, making new friends, uniting with old classmates, it’s all fun! Schools have already opened up and colleges will start soon. SSC and HSC students are waiting for their respective admission formalities to be completed.

If you want to strike a bond with a family friend, relative or office colleagues having school or college going children, there can be no perfect occasion than this to give a meaningful and useful gift. You can convert them into exciting gifts for children, and make them happy.

Buying new uniforms, shoes, water bottles, raincoat…the list is endless. Why do make all these a mere routine purchase? Get something for children, which will put a twinkle in their eyes and will bring a smile on their faces! After all, gifting is about spreading happiness, isn’t it? Here are some ideas to help you in making your choice.

• There are unique umbrellas and raincoats specially designed for children and in colors that delight children of all ages. To wade through monsoon waters, you can get specially designed cute umbrellas for little ones.
• Erasers in the shape of Tweetie and Bugs Bunny, water bottles shaped like Winnie-the-Pooh will certainly fascinate the children.
• Fancy lunch boxes will be another good pick. With varieties galore and so much choice, buying a gift for children will be a pleasure in itself.
• Several brands, such as Camlin, ITC, Crayola, Apsara, Sundaram, Maped and Pidilite are leaders in the school products range.

You can only add to the fun by giving some interesting and timely gifts.

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