|
|
Tradition of Diwali Gifts
Diwali is the most celebrated and largest gift giving and shopping festival in India. The tradition of exchanging gifts and shopping is quite prominent because Diwali is associated with prosperity. People go out of their way to splurge themselves and their loved ones as they celebrate Diwali. This tradition of shopping and exchanging gifts has been harnessed by marketers in recent times. Manufacturers launch their products or announce attractive schemes to lure the people who are very much eager to spend money at the time of Diwali. No wonder, corporate India sees a boom time as the nation goes on a shopping and gifting spree at the time of the festival.
Social Significance of Exchanging Gifts on Diwali
The motive behind the tradition of exchanging Diwali Gifts is to accentuate the feeling of love and brotherhood in the society. Through gifts people convey their respect, good wishes, blessings, love and appreciation for a person and his family. As Diwali is a religious festival, sending Diwali Gifts also reflects one's prayers to the almighty for the prosperity and good health of the recipient. For this reason religious gift like Lakshmi Ganesh coins, idols, puja thalis etc are quite popular on Diwali.
Early Tradition of Exchanging Diwali Gifts
Tradition of exchanging gifts on Diwali is not a recent phenomenon. It has perhaps been there ever since Diwali celebrations began. Earlier people used to exchange homemade sweets, farm produce or decoratives prepared at home. Such gifts were considered a token of love and good wishes and little importance was attached to the item that was gifted. Of course those were simple times and today people attach considerable importance to the price value of the gift.
Diwali Gifts Tradition in Present Times
The culture of exchanging Diwali Gifts has grown to new heights in present times. Today, it is considered socially mandatory to exchange Diwali Gifts will all near and dear ones. This includes friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues and business associates. Great significance is laid on gift itself in this materialistic age unlike earlier times when feelings behind gifts were far more important.
Also what has changed is the kind of gifts exchanged in present times. Today people exchange electronic gadgets, artifacts, jewelry, wrist watches etc. Even the traditionally accepted Diwali Gifts like sweets, dry fruits, chocolates, decoratives have undergone a transformation in present times. They come in stylish hampers and fancy Diwali packing. Please click here for more Diwali Gift ideas.
|