GIVE A LITTLE MORE
This festive season, look beyond the ordinary and choose gifts that grow, inspire and give back. From living greens and story-filled hampers to thoughtfully crafted corporate essentials, discover ideas that add lend every celebration more meaning
WORDS by PUNGOLU RUHO & ABHAY SOLOMAN
The gesture of gifting is evolving. It is no longer simply about finding something beautiful to unwrap, but about choosing what is personal, purposeful, and worth remembering. A plant that grows alongside a friendship, a hamper that reveals a story, or an everyday essential crafted with conscious materials— today’s gifts carry more thought. This festive season, we bring you five ways to gift differently, proving that the best presents are the ones that leave something meaningful behind.
CHOOSING BETTER
This festive season, corporate gifting can move beyond the usual boxes and hampers. Clan Earth brings together everyday things that are useful, well-made and made with more thoughtful materials. The EcoThrive Kit, for instance, brings together a grow kit, coconut-shell candle and bamboo bottle, while the Travel Kit is designed for those always on the move. There’s also a natural cotton canvas backpack, handcrafted by artisans in Kolkata, a lightweight cork wallet, and a bamboo toothbrush made from biodegradable, BPA-free and
vegan bamboo.
What makes these gifts interesting is that sustainability is no add-on, but a part of how the products are made and what they are made from. Moreover, they find a place in everyday life, rather than being tucked away after the gifting is done.
GIFT THAT GROWS
Gifting has now become more personal, with people increasingly drawn to things that feel useful, lasting and meaningful. Plants fit beautifully into this shift as they bring a touch of nature into a home while giving the receiver something to nurture and watch grow over time.
Whether it’s a birthday, housewarming or any festive celebration, a plant can be a lovely way to mark the moment. Ugaoo founder Siddhant Bhalinge suggests his favourites: Peace Lily for a sense of positivity, Snake Plant for anyone who prefers fuss-free greens,and Monstera for a bold touch in a new space. There’s also the Terrarium – a tiny world in glass that blends nature and design, and is a great pick for décor lovers or first-time gardeners.
What makes these gifts special is that they grow, settle into their new home and become something to look after. And years later, that little plant might still be there, bringing back memories of where it all began.
UNFURL A STORY
Forget the predictable festive hamper. Loopify makes gifting feel like opening a little storybook. Each collection has a world of its own, inviting you to discover something new.
The collection, Incredible Indians, turns the spotlight on everyday people doing extraordinary things, making their stories part of the gift and giving them the recognition they deserve. The same idea runs through every collection, whether it is celebrating India’s wildlife and landscapes, uncovering lesser-known stories and traditions, or bringing attention to endangered species. It is a lovely way of using products to tell a story, spark curiosity and celebrate something worth knowing.
Sometimes, the most memorable part of a gift isn’t what you find inside the box, but the story discovered along the way and carried long after.
WRAPPED WITH INTENT
Brought to Hyderabad by the founders of Desi Favors, The Timeless Edit creates its high-end hampers with intentionality and is known for crafting exclusive, personalized gifts, with no detail left to chance, making their presentations authentic and memorable.
Baby shower hampers are arranged with tender care, birthday boxes conjure joy, corporate gifts tune to a refined register, and wedding trousseaus are warm and deeply personal.
The pieces are as much about impeccable presentation as they are about emotional connection. The ‘Crafted With Care’ philosophy forms the underlying sentiment of
every milestone.
THREADS OF TRADITION
Brought to life by the Estontec Group under the leadership of Levis Wilson, Kottanz reflects the vibrant looms of rural communities and supports authentic Indian artisans, in particular women artisans.
Bespoke gifts are coaxed from natural fibers like palm leaves and jute. Their signature Thamboolam sets conjure the warmth of traditional South Indian hospitality, intricately woven jute baskets have an earthy register, and handcrafted metal artifacts and vibrant handloom textiles carry heritage with purpose.
Their ‘Eco-Luxe’ philosophy seeks to preserve the intricate language of traditional Indian celebration while supporting sustainable practices.
The natural fiber return gifts suit the mindful mood of modern ceremonies, while the brightly painted Meenakari boxes and premium brocade collections carry the vibrancy of Indian weddings and grand festivals.