What would you like as a gift from India?

[DiwaliQueen]

Im going back to the motherland for a holiday and I would like to buy a gift for a dear English friend I have made. She is the sweetest friend ever.

She is very stylish and elegant- think country chic, in her 50's, would it be too much to get her a sari?!

Maybe some jewellery or a shawl? I dont know! What would you like?

Tunic with wide legged pyjama/ trouser ... so versatile to wear in the west and so elegant

My SIL is Indian and her family bring back all sorts of goodies. Sweeties, clothes, jewellery. My son is pretty spoilt by them considering he's not blood related to them 😂

I'd suggest maybe a pashmina for your friend and some bracelets?

Yes to Fab India! Loved it when I was there. Does it still exist?

My lovely friend brought me back a large, rectangular embroidered shawl , in a fine wool. I have used it for years now, I am also in my fifties and I wear it as a wrap, as a shawl over an evening dress, or I use it as a throw over my bed.
Other things I would love would be a block printed quilt (heavy though!) or bedspread, embroidered ribbon to use to trim things (does she sew?), fabric. Printed pillowcases. A shirt or nightdress in cotton.

Silk shawl for sure.

I got scarves, spices and lots of tea for my English friends from India. I also got some hand carved trinket boxes for those who don't like tea or spices. They were all well received. Definitely look for handmade small dealers. I feel like supporting them was an added bonus. Which part of india are you going to?

I would LOVE to get a beautiful bedspread!

A lovely bronze tadka pan. I have a Green Heirloom one and it is beautiful and practical. Tadka

Yes, it does. And you can buy online from them as well.

I also brought back scarves, spices, tea and coffee.

Let's say you're looking for a dress. When you go into a shop, do you just walk up to the first item and say, "That'll do!"?

Probably not. You might not like the style, fabric, colour, or pattern.

The same goes for home furnishings.

I usually raid Anokhi and Fab India for gifts (for myself as well as for other people). I'm a sucker for a block print bedspread and they always have lovely jewellery too. If you're in Delhi there are also quite a lot of other lovely homeware shops in Khan Market.

@LylaLee we get it! You dont want a bedspread! 😅