24 Gift ideas from India that officially aren’t lame.

Sarah Steiner

13 hours ago

While traveling across India you will see a wealth of unique arts, crafts, handicrafts and edible goodies that will have you planning room in your luggage to take home. In each state that you travel, you’ll find things special to each region and many that make potentially fabulous souvenirs and unique gifts from India.

There are traditional Indian handicrafts items like wooden carvings, brass figurines, or leather goods that can be excellent gifts that reflect Indian craftsmanship. There are limitless textiles and handstitched fabrics, silks, scarfs, pashmina and woven carpets that can be a classy and useful gift.

It is a colourful journey across India. There is a unique mélange of art and culture in the country, and to be honest, India is known as a shoppers’ paradise.

With more than six trips to India under our travel-belt now, we have travelled across the length and breadth of India and have found that there are many amazing rural artisans producing excellent art and crafts that make the ideal gifts from India.

Here are some of our favourites including tips for where to find the most memorable souvenirs and thoughtful, unique gifts from India.

Jewellery – Gifts from India

Jewellery is an ideal gift from India reflecting the vibrant and glitzy, colourful culture of the country. While gold remains the predominant metal in traditional Indian jewellery, silver and other materials are also widely crafted.

Jaipur is a major centre for traditional silver jewellery in India. The city is known for its intricate designs and high-quality craftsmanship.

Gemstones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds are commonly used in Indian jewellery, making them stunning souvenirs or gifts from India. Or at the other end of the scale there is an abundance of glitzy cheap jewellery on sale in the markets all around India.

Where to find it: Jaipur is a hub for gemstones, jewellery and precious metals. Ask your driver to take you to a jewellery shop though do be aware they will choose the place they get the best commission!

Bangles – Gifts from India

Bangles are an iconic addition to Indian women’s dress, and you will see a range of styles worn in the different regions and bangles hugely varying in materials, price and quality.

Traditionally Indian bangles come in many styles, including glass, lac (resin), and kadas, each reflecting the cultural heritage of its region and catering to different occasions and preferences.

You will see delicate glass bangles for everyday wear and ornate gold bangles for special occasions. The variety is vast.

Lac bangles from India are a unique handicraft made with a type of resin collected from trees and further processed to make a natural form of Shellac. While Kadas is a religious bracelet that Sikhs wear and broader and sturdier than decorative bangles.

In Jaisalmer, there is an entire bangles market that caters in particular to brides and sells many bangles in red and gold. Or in the villagers market you will see women’s bracelets that are designed to go right up the arm on the wearer – all the way to the armpit!

Where to find it: Bangles are popular and on sale in many small shops and kiosks as well as in the busy markets of India.

Different styles of bangles including thicker, Sikh Kadas style silver bracelets.

Bindis and Stick-On Jewellery

Bindis are a decorative mark worn on the forehead by Hindu women as an adornment, a sign of marriage, or to venerate an energy centre in the body.

Traditionally, only married women wore bindis. But today both married and unmarried women wear them in various shapes, sizes, and shades. Plus, there are unlimited options now for stick-on nose piercings, earrings and all types of decorative jewellery.

Where to find it: Bindis and stick-on jewellery are on sale in the markets everywhere. They make a cute (and light to carry in luggage) gift from India.

Brightly coloured and all kinds of designs of stick-on jewellery in Main Bazar, Paharganj.

Henna Paste

Henna or Mehndi in Hindi, is a decorative skin art that Is estimated to have originated in the subcontinent at least 5000 years ago. Traditionally Henna in India is used as decorative art (like a skin-jewellery) during weddings and celebratory festivals. But as a traveller to India, it is a unique experience to have Henna art done.

While you might choose to get Henna as a (temporary) souvenir to take home yourself; a small tube of Henna paste is a cool gift from India for any India-lover or traveller friend that has dreams for this colourful subcontinent!

Henna paste in a tube costs only a few rupees and makes a unique gift for an India fan.

Textile gifts from India

Clothes

I love the colourful clothes in India! It really makes us realise how dark and monotone we dress at home (especially by comparison). The markets of India are always a buzz to explore. And whether you intended on shopping for clothes or not they do make a beautifully, colourful gift from India that represents the culture utterly.

Tip: Shopping for clothes in the markets is a great colourful and local experience in India.

Pashmina and shawls

India is the home of the pashmina. Pashminas are a scarf made from special wool that comes from cashmere goats. Typically this type of cashmere comes from the northern Indian state of Kashmir.

Tip: An authentic pashmina scarf will cost around 1500+ INR ($18+ USD). Maybe even upwards of 3000 INR ($35+ USD)!

Check for authentic Pashmina at the markets.

Cricket Jersey from India

Do you know a cricket fan back home that would appreciate an Indian cricket jersey? Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India. A team jersey makes an iconic (and unexpected if you aren’t into cricket) gift from India for a fan.

Tip: There are lots of cheap Indian cricket jerseys and Indian cricket-related items on sale in the markets in the larger cities.

Fabric and Textiles

Rajasthan is world famous for beautifully intricate, colourful and handstitched textiles.

Jaisalmer, to the far west of Rajasthan, our favourite place to shop for unique handmade souvenirs and gifts from India is the Desert Art Gallery inside Jaisalmer Fort. In this part of India and stretching historically along the Silk Road, textiles were part of trade and dowries in past times.

Today the textile culture is still a big part of Rajasthani culture and in Jaisalmer it is celebrated with the revival of handcrafted textile pieces made from the old fabrics and styled in the same regional ways.

Tip: Check Desert Art Gallery in Jaisalmer for beautiful handmade textiles that make a great gift from India!

There are endless beautiful colours and patterns of fabric and textiles.

Carpets and Rugs – Gifts from India

Kashmeri carpets are the most famous of Indian rugs and are known worldwide for their quality and intricate designs.

If you have room in your luggage to fit a Kashmeri rug or handloom carpet they do make a beautiful gift from India. Albeit a heavy one!

Tip: Dilli Haat Market in Delhi has several stalls selling bespoke Kashmeri rugs and carpets.

Beautifully handmade rugs from Kashmir for sale in Delhi.

Handcrafts – Gifts from India

Woodwork – Gifts from India

Hand-carved wooden artifacts from India are prized for their craftsmanship and beauty. India is home to a huge range and styles of woodwork and carved wooden items.

Several handicraft products like toys, jewellery boxes, bowls and plates are made with wood having intricate and detailed designs.

These wood carvings can be ideal gifts from India.

Tip: Uttar Pradesh is known for its intricate wood carvings and the many markets in Delhi have carved woodwork for souvenirs and gifts.

Marblework – Gifts from India

The Indian city of Agra and home to the grandly white marble Taj Mahal is famous for marble work in India.

For the best marble items, inlaid with semiprecious stones, a visit to Agra is a must. You will find everything (real and less-authentic) from replica Taj Mahal centre pieces to hand luggage-friendly coasters and elephant figurines.

Tip: If you aren’t looking for marblework as a gift from India while in Agra, be sure to tell your driver. You can be almost certain they will try to stop for shopping at a marble factory anyhow!

Leather Bags and Products – Gifts from India

India is known for its leather industry, and there are many places to buy handcrafted leather goods. Leather products from Rajasthan are known for their quality and craftsmanship and make beautiful souvenirs or gifts from India.

I personally love the amazing handbags with bulky stitching that you can absolutely see is hand done. The finished leather bags are stylish and durable making them practical items as gifts.

Where to find it: Rajasthan is particularly known for leatherwork with the largest concentration of leather goods stores we saw in Jaisalmer, below the fort.

Traditional footwear from India

India has a wide variety of traditional footwear across the different parts of the country. The footwear in India is not very expensive, since India is a major producer of leather, and it is all typically handmade and crafted right there in front of you.

There are different styles of traditional Indian shoes like Juttis (slippers historically made from camel leather) from Rajasthan, Kolhapuri chappals in Maharashtra, Padukas (a style of ancient sandals), and Mojaris from Punjab. Or there are plenty of modern imitation leather sandals that have been styled on western fashion and make the ideal, wearable souvenir or gift from India.

Where to find it: Check any of the main markets, and particularly the craft markets in Delhi.

Handmade leather shoes in all different styles.

Toys – Gifts from India

Some traditional toys in India are largely unchanged over the generations of craft. Puppets, for example, have been a major form of folk entertainment in India since way back and have been used in India as a form of traditional and cultural performances.

Today, puppets are sold for decoration purposes and can be a colourful souvenir or gift from India to take home and display.

Tip: Rajasthan is particularly famous for puppetry and there are stalls and markets with puppets and toys craft for tourists in Jaisalmer and Jaipur.

Brightly coloured and handmade puppets from Rajasthan make a unique gift to display back home.

Spiritual gifts from India

Brass Hindu Idols

This is a totally unique gift from India to bring back a little of India into someone’s home.

India is the birthplace for four of the world’s major religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Though most of the population in India is Hindu.

It is a complex notion as to how many gods and deities there actually are in Hinduism. Some Hindus believe there are more than 33 million Hindu gods! However, the main deities that are worshipped daily are displayed in statues, painting and trinkets in temples, homes and everywhere you turn in India.

The most famous is the elephant-headed Hindu god of Ganesha. Brass Ganesh idols are commonly sold as gifts in India as they symbolize stability and attract positive energy.

We got a brass Ganesha in Main Bazar, Paharganj as a gift from India for Gavin’s Mum.

A huge selection of brass idols and figurines at Dilli Haat Market in Delhi.

Buddhist Items

Buddhism is an important religion in India and especially prominent in the northern states. Many Buddhist items on sale in the markets have religious or spiritual sentiments are a nice souvenir or gift from India to take home with you.

The most popular Buddhist item by far is the singing bowl. This is a type of bell that comes with a mallet, and when played, the bowl produces vibrations and a deep ringing sound.

The Tibetan Bowls are used for meditation and stress relief.

Tip: There are lots of these for sale in the north of India (Darjeeling). Or you can find Buddhist stalls in the markets in Delhi.

Edible Gifts from India

Chai / Tea – Gifts from India

Chai! The Hindi word ‘Chai’ literally translates in English as ‘tea’. And chai, is a seriously massive part of everyday culture in India.

If you are looking to share what is going to be – or has been – a huge part of your trip and give someone back home a gift from India that literally shares a taste of all that, tea from India is the perfect choice.

You can find tea seats including the small cups suited to Indian chai. Or you can buy packaged loose tea leaves.

Where to find it: Teacups and tea sets are on sale all through the local markets as are kiosks and shops specialising in all kinds of Indian chai.

Spices

Spices are a popular souvenir gift from India. I’d go as far as saying no trip to India is complete without bringing home some of its famous spices. These spices once lured traders from across the world to Indian shores!

Khari Baoli is an epic street market and spice bazaar in Chandni Chowk in Delhi. It is known as Asia’s largest wholesale spice market selling a variety of spices, nuts, herbs and food products like rice and tea.

Where to find it: Spices are a regional specialty of India and are sold at local markets everywhere.

Snacks – Edible gifts from India

India’s culinary landscape is as diverse as its geography, offering a wealth of edible gifts from India that capture the essence of the country’s culinary culture.

Pickles and chutneys that have been bottled make a good edible treat to take home. Or try packaged traditional snacks like Pori (puffed rice) or Bikaneri Bhujia (savoury crunchy snack).

Where to find it: Haldirams is a popular family restaurant chain all over India that originated in Bikaner and sells traditional, packaged Indian snack foods.

This is the original Haldiram’s store in Bikaner most famous for Bhujia snacks.

Sweets

Historically in India, gifts were usually given in the form of traditional sweets or other food items. There are all sorts of sweets that vary from region to region and across the different states in India. Though typically they are usually made in Ghee, and many have a dairy base meaning they are so soft they melt in your mouth.

While there are endless street vendors selling fresh, hot sweets on the roadside, there are also packaged traditional sweets that will last longer until you get home. They are rich and delicious and make the ideal gift from India.

Tip: Check Haldiram’s in the city for packaged sweets to take home from India.

We bought boxes of the famous Jaisalmeri Ghouta as gifts from India.

Books about India

The most popular book about travel and India is ‘Shantaram’. If you haven’t read it yet you will spot this large novel in any second-hand book market or proudly displayed in bookshops in India.

The story describes India with such detail you can almost smell it! Shantaram would make a great gift from India for any India-lover who hasn’t yet made plans for travel and needs that last push of inspiration…

Tip: Check the generations old Jackson’s Bookshop in Main Bazar, Paharganj.

Incense and Essential Oils

Incense sticks are used everywhere across India as part of the daily prayer rituals and blessings.

Nag Champa is a type of incense that’s particularly popular. But there are countless options available. (We came home with a stack of Nag Champa incense bought from Pushkar!).

Attar is a type of natural, concentrated perfume with an intense fragrance, extracted from various flowers, herbs, spices, and barks, used extensively in India.

Tip: Nag Champa incense is a typically Indian scent and a light-to-carry and scented gift from India to take home.

There are endless scents of incense available in India.

Ayurveda Products – Gifts from India

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine which dates back to Iron Age India (1000 BC to 1 BC). But it is still practiced today as a form of complementary and alternative medicine.

There are a plenty of ayurvedic spa centres all over India where you can get the benefit of the ancient methods of Ayurveda. You can also buy a few ayurvedic products and medicines that make a thoughtful gift from India that is unique to the subcontinent.

More about travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.

Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
12GoAsia.com – Book tickets for trains in India through 12GoAsia.com.
Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. Make sure to add travel insurance to your packing list for India!
World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).