Gifting Guide
Giving and receiving gifts is an important part of almost all Indian festivals. Take, for instance, the case of Rakshabandhan. Sisters tie a rakhi on their brother’s wrists and in exchange receive a token of their love in the form of a gift. The same goes true for Diwali, Christmas, Ramadan, and other festivals observed in India. After all, what’s a festival without gifts! And what better thing to gift during the festive season than a piece of jewellery!
While gifting gold is an integral part of many festivals, some others are celebrated just for that – to buy and gift gold. One such festival is Akshaya Tritiya. After all, Akshaya Tritiya is the day of prosperity and the day the God of wealth, Lord Kubera received his riches from Lord Shiva. Unlike Dhanteras, which is also an auspicious occasion to buy gold, Akshaya Tritiya is considered an ideal day for both buying and gifting gold. So, the question arises – how do you find the perfect gift for someone in your family? How do you pick the right Akshaya Tritiya gift for someone you love?
What matters the most is that your gift should be thoughtful. It should be something that the receiver will like and cherish. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you could gift your loved ones on this auspicious day.
Why Choose Gold Jewellery as a Gift?
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word gold? Jewellery made of gold, of course! Jewellery is the most coveted form of gold. Unlike a coin or bullion, gold jewellery scores high on usability as well as investment fronts. Another advantage of gifting gold ornaments is that you have a wide range of options to choose from. From earrings and pendants to necklaces and bangles, your choices are endless.
So how do you choose jewellery as a gift on Akshaya Tritiya?
A good way to start your search is to set a budget. This ensures that you do not overspend. Look for jewellery that matches the receiver’s nature and personal style. You don’t want to gift someone something they wouldn’t like to wear, would you? Also, keep their lifestyle in mind. If your niece is graduating soon, you could get her a delicate gold chain or pendant that she could wear once she starts working. Similarly, if your sister has just become a mother and cannot wear earrings for the fear of the baby pulling them, you could choose a nose pin or a bracelet for her. The jewellery you gift on Akshaya Tritiya doubles as investments, so it is better to choose something with high resale value, such as plain gold ornaments.
Choose Religious Pendants and Rings to Match the Festive Mood
Akshaya Tritiya is a religious festival and hence a pendant or a ring with religious motifs is the ideal gift. From the Om symbol to Krishna’s flute, there are a number of religious motifs that are used for making jewellery. Apart from pendants, most jewelers also offer a range of rings with religious motifs. These motifs not only suit the occasion but also act as reminders of one’s faith in difficult times. For many people, religious jewellery is also a source of strength. When you buy religious themed jewellery for someone else, do not buy jewellery designed around the god you worship the most. Think about the person who will be wearing it and the deity they worship.
For instance, are you looking for a gift for a devotee of Lord Ganesha? Go for gold rings and pendants that feature motifs associated with Ganesha. For a devotee of Lord Shiva, something that features trishool or damaru will be an ideal gift. Most online jewellers have exclusive collections of religious rings and pendants. You just need to browse through their collection and pick something that best fits the religious interests of the receiver.
How About Gold Coins?
If you want to buy a gift of equal value for all your family members, you could consider gold coins. Gold coins are available in a range of weights and suit any budget. Coins are symbolic of good luck and prosperity. They are also a great investment and can be gifted to men and women of all ages. They can even be gifted to a child and later turned into jewellery for her. These gifts are easily available with all leading jewelers and are usually embossed with the image of a deity on either side. The best part of buying gold coins as a gift on Akshaya Tritiya is that you don’t have to pay for making charges. What’s more? They score high on resale value too!
When In Doubt, Go for Gift Cards
There may be times when you are unsure of what to gift someone. For example, you may want to gift something precious to your sister-in-law but you are not sure of her taste in jewellery. Else, you may not be in the same city or country and may want to ensure that the jewellery you gift your mother is something she loves. In such cases, a gift card is a great option. This allows you to decide your budget and the receiver gets to pick the design and type of jewellery they want. A gift card can also contribute towards a more expensive piece of jewellery. For example, your budget may be INR 5000. If your sister likes a necklace that costs about Rs 15,000, she could use your gift card to lower the amount she would actually need to pay. Almost all reputed jewellers offer gift cards for a wide range of prices. Pick the one that suits your pocket and you are all set to surprise a loved one!
A Word of Caution
When it comes to Akshaya Tritiya, gold is always the best gift. However, you should avoid gifting gold jewellery studded with semi-precious stones. The stones themselves do not have much of a buy- back value and hence are not great investments. They also cause the making cost of jewellery and the overall price to go high. So, stick to solid gold jewellery made of 22k gold. If you must buy stones, go for a diamond-studded pendant or a pair of earrings with rubies or emeralds. In this case, you will also need to give the receiver the receipt for your jewellery as a safeguard for the stone’s value. The same goes true for platinum jewellery. Though platinum is rising in popularity these days, it doesn’t always make a great investment option. Loose diamonds or precious stones can be gifted, though!
This Akshaya Tritiya, experience the joy of gifting gold. The above-mentioned tips and guidelines will help you choose the perfect gift for your loved ones.
