GIFTS TO BRING BACK FROM BANGALORE

So you live in India. And now you’re heading on a visit back home, or a place where you have family and friends and you want to bring some gifts from your NEW HOME. Something “Indian” and something meaningful, maybe something for kids but you also want to get people something that they won’t just toss. This question is asked a lot! So we’ve compiled a list of some of our go-to-gifts from pros expat gifters!

GIFTS FROM INCREDIBLE INDIA

• White carved stone figurines (elephants, buildings, etc.)

• Wooden crafts, metal handicrafts

• Small oil lamps

• Madhubani wall hanging or art piece

• Silk (Pre-Stitched) Saree or Kurta (Soch, Mysore Saree Udyog, other places on Commercial Street)

• A Drishti Bommai (demon mask used to protect homes and vehicles)

• Small brass/bronze God idols

• Holi powder packs

• Decorated Diyas

• Indian games (Khadi Nation, Varnam)

• Starbucks India Mug

• T-Shirt from Hard Rock Cafe Bangalore

 STUFF FOR KIDS

• Toy rickshaws (get plastic ones for young children who may still throw, metal for older ones)

• Elephant key rings

• Blockprint canvas bags (for pool, bathing suits, school)

• Pajamas from Anokhi or Almirah (inside Cinnamon building)

• Baby Outfits/kurta style (especially baby girls) from Anokhi

• Notebooks, pencil cases, bags from Anokhi

• Indian Kelly doll (Barbie) (Toy shops, Hamley’s, Westside)

• Wooden Indian games  (Varnam, Kavade Toy Hive, Khadi Nation)

• Channapatna dolls from Varnam

• Personalized bags from Lotus Vibe

• Ayurveda lip balms (Kama and Forest Essentials)

• Little drums

• Block Print stamps

• Decorative elephant garland and wall hangings (Templetree)

CHEAP AND FUN

• Stationary such as blank cards or notebooks (Anokhi, Templetree)

• Pack of Bindis (Commercial Street or fancy store)

• Dibbi Box (decorated trinket boxes)

• Elephant key rings or figurines (wooden or stone)

• Stacks of Bangles (any fancy store)

• Fake nose rings (market, mall stands, or amazing selection from Benaazir)

• Incense sticks

• Decorated Diyas

• Magnets (Chumbak)

• Passport holders (Chumbak, Olie)

UNIQUE + MEANINGFUL

• Go to Commercial Street, find an antique shop and buy small brass Ganesha figurines. Then bring them to a temple and have them blessed for your friends and family

• Indian Coffee (order Blue Tokai online and personalized the pouch it comes in)

• Visit a block printing studio (Tharangini, Gaia Farm, Maa Fabric Galleria) and design your own block printed textiles for someone

• Plan ahead (at least one to two months) and design some custom-made cotton items to be made by the Kolkata Man (they can do names, monogram or a large selection of designs for bedding, table ware, children’s shams, wash bags) Tel: 99024 64369

INDIAN SNACKS + DRINKS

• Barfi

• Mysore Pak

• Fried moong dal

• Banana Chips

• Kukure Chips & Lays India Magic Masala flavor

• Cashew nuts

• Packages Masala Chai

• Himalayan Salt

• Spices! (Any grocery store, market, FabIndia)

• Candy they know from home in more local flavors; Nature Bars in mango or pineapple flavor, chips in Masala flavor

• Candy such as Gems, Perk bars

• Indian biscuits like Milk Bikis, Hide & Seek, 50/50, Krack Jack

• Indian Coffee (The Flying Squirrel, Third Wave, FabIndia or order Blue Tokai online and personalize the pouch it comes in)

• Teas (San-cha Tea Boutique have lovely gift boxes)

• Monk’s head shaped Old Monk Whiskey

• Amrut Whiskey

• Greater Than Gin (India’s first craft gin)

• Ooty Chocolates (recommended for shorter flights as they may melt on longer flights… i.e. to California)

JEWELRY

• Colorful bangles, jhumka earrings, fake noserings (Fancy stores, FabIndia, Commercial Street)

• Silver jewelry (everything from real silver, sterling silver or silver plated at the Sri Suryanarayan Art Jewellers)

• Unique pieces from Benaazir, Flames of the Forest, Pallavi Foley

• Modern brass or steel pieces from Tachi at Payalkhandwala (inside Cinnamon courtyard)

TEXTILES

• Napkins, runners, linens (FabIndia)

• Pashmina shawls or stoles (Mysore Saree Udyog on Commercial Street, FabIndia, other emporiums)

• Pocket squares

• Hand Block Printed textiles (Spring Rythm, Anokhi, FabIndia, Maa Fabric Galleria)

• Quilts (Anokhi, Nicobar, FabIndia, Rasa Jaipur)

• Makeup bag or small duffel bags from Anokhi

• Lightweight tote bags (Olie)

• Yoga clothing or mats from Indian brands (ProYog, Kosha, Juru, No Nasties)

• Silk and other fabrics

• Great men’s tops (FabIndia)

HOME ITEMS

• Candles (Either Orr)

• Soaps (FabIndia or Mysore Sandalwood Soap made in BLR available in all local grocery stores/corner stores/Amazon)

• Soaps from Kama Ayurveda (cute soap box sets)

• Wooden serving utensils

• Napkin rings, coasters

• Hand painted candle holders/pen holders

• Copper serve ware/ bowl sets/ Matka tea glasses (Yoghistaan, Homestop, City Market, emporiums)

• Coffee table book (Bangalorean Artist Paul Fernandes has a lovely one or Bangalore Moments)

• Mugs (Chumbak, FabIndia, Good Earth, Nicobar)

• Masala Dabba (the tray of smaller bowls filled with spices) (Amazon.in or any home store like home stop) + purchase a few packs of fresh spices for them to fill with

SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

• Mugs/Espresso set Good Earth or Nicobar

• An outfit from Nicobar

• Jewelry or shawl from Cinnamon The Store

• Ayurveda products from Kama Ayurveda and Forest Essentials Ayurveda (great gift sets)

• A cork yoga mat from Juru

• Knick knack from The Purple Turtles

WHERE TO BUY THEM

EMPORIUMS/ MARKETS

• Any tourist shop, or emporium but make sure you don’t get a total “tourist” price

• Commercial Street (check out the Kashmir shop across from KFC, next door to McDonald’s- bargain with owner Syed for great deals)

• Markets and petes: City Market, Cotton Pete, Avenue Road, art markets

• Cauvery Emporium (on the corner of Brigade and MG Road) is THE place to go for handicrafts, lots of laquerware, metal crafts (brass and copper, diyas, bowls, plates, etc.), sandalwood + rosewood, perfume oils, bronze idols, etc.

  45, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Tel: 93421 88080, www.cauveryhandicrafts.net

• Safina Plaza is full of different stalls and vendors, check out Jaipur Pink City Emporium upstairs on the second floor

  84/85, Infantry Road, Beside Prestige Building, Tasker Town, Shivaji Nagar, 560001, www.safinaplaza.com

• Foxy Lady Handicraft Centre has lots to choose from (silk sheets, shawls, pashminas, trinkets, silver jewelry, antiques) at inexpensive prices!

  Shrungar Shopping Centre, 80, MG Road, Haridevpur, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Tel: 80411 21605, Facebook Page

• Varnam Craft Collective is known for their Channapatna toys and games

  II Stage, 1332, Indiranagar Double Rd, Stage 3, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 80412 00189 AND 

  No. 46, 12th main, 3rd block, Jayanagar East, 560011. Behind Max lifestyle showroom. Near Cosmopolitan club. Tel: 80430 21862/ 802654 5544

  www.varnam.co.in

• Kavade Toy Hive is the place to get games; Indian board and canvas games, new and old plus a selection of toys

  #143, CKN Chambers, 1st Main Road, Seshadripuram, 560020, Tel: 99800 22820 

  www.kavade.org

• Tarang Arts for lots of metal, stone and wood crafts plus paintings

  Indiranagar, No. 1152, 12th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, 560008, Tel: 80416 63508, www.tarangarts.com

• Khadi Nation has leather accessories, silk garments and Khadi, handicrafts and other eco-friendly products

  No. 6, DVG Road, Gandhi Bazaar Basvangudi, 560004, Tel: 80266 70045 / 0046, www.khadination.shop

SHOPS

• Chumbak, this shop was created with Indian souvenirs in mind! Very colorful collection of bags, travel accessories, mugs, textiles, and so much more

  8 locations in Bangalore: CMH Road, Orion Mall, Phoenix Marketcity, Commercial Street, Forum Neighborhood Mall, Mantri Square, Vega Mall, Garuda Mall

  https://www.chumbak.com

• Lattice Lane for stationary, candles and home accessories

  551, 9th A Main Rd, Hoysala Nagar, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 80430 04555, Facebook Page

• FabIndia shops around the city for EVERYTHING

  https://www.fabindia.com

• Anokhi has beautiful handcrafted block print textiles in everything from notebooks, bags, clothing, and accessories, their kid’s clothing is lovely!

  Level B, The Leela Galleria, 23 Airport Road, Kodihalli, 560008, AND S.M.Towers 3/2 and 4/3/1, 11th Main Road, 3rd block, Jayanagar, 560011, AND “Raintree”, Opp. Windsor Manor, High Ground, 4, Sankey Rd, Lower Palace Orchards, Guttahalli, 560052

  www.anokhi.com, Facebook Page

• Good Earth offers tasteful Indian designs that everyone will love, home decor, wellness, and apparel, these make great gifts for almost anyone including yourself!

  No.4 Walton Road, Off Lavelle Road, 560001, Tel: 80409 20986, www.goodearth.in

• Nicobar for modern, simple and stylish things with a hint of Indian flare, but in the coolest way possible. Pick up amazing clothing, house and home, and travel items here

  No 4, Walton Rd, Above Goodearth, off, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, 560001

  Unit No. 125, First Floor, Forum Shantiniketan, Hoodi, Whitefield Main Road, Whitefield, 560066, Tel:  99164 77066, www.nicobar.com

• Cinnamon

  24, Gangadhar Chetty Road, 560042, Tel: 80416 34220, Facebook Page

ONLINE

• www.itokri.com
• www.chumbak.com
• www.fabindia.com
• Amazon.in
• Flipcart

Photo by maislam