Gift IdeasGift ideas for a married couple
For a couple, give something they will use together, or money in an envelope, which is the most common and most useful wedding gift in India.
A box of their favourite sweets
Find out the exact shop and the exact sweet. Precision is the gift.
A potted plant
Pick a hardy one that survives missed waterings: money plant, snake plant or jade.
A set of diyas or scented candles
Hand-painted clay diyas suit the season and support a local potter.
A tree or fruit sapling
For someone with a garden. Planted on the day, it marks the year.
A doormat, name plate or set of wind chimes
Small things that make a new house feel finished.
A pack of dry fruits
Keeps for weeks, suits every age, and nobody has to guess a size.
A board game for the whole family
Choose one that grandparents and children can play together.
A large printed family photograph
Get everyone into one picture, print it big and frame it.
A photo album you have filled yourself
Printed photos, with dates and names written underneath, in an album they can hold.
A set of bath towels
Thick, plain and in pairs.
A tea or coffee set
For a home that loves guests.
A wall clock or table lamp
Simple designs suit more homes. Note that some people consider a clock an unlucky gift.
A toolkit for the house
Every new home needs a hammer, a screwdriver set and a measuring tape.
Money in an envelope (shagun)
Welcome on almost every family occasion, and the giver never has to guess a size or a taste. By custom the amount ends in one.
A gift card for a shop they use
Less personal, never wasted. Good when you live far away.
A hamper of snacks and tea
Build it yourself in a reusable basket. Choose things the person actually eats.
A cooking spice box filled with fresh spices
A masala dabba for a new kitchen.
A set of storage jars
A new kitchen never has enough.
A silver coin
A traditional token of good fortune at Diwali, weddings and the birth of a child.
Dinner at the place they keep mentioning
Book the table, arrange the travel, and pay before the bill arrives.
A good pressure cooker, mixer or non-stick pan
Only if they have said they need one. Then buy the best you can.
A dinner set or a set of glasses
Plain white or clear glass fits any home.
Bed linen in plain colours
Check the bed size. Good cotton in a quiet colour is always used.
A brass or silver item for the puja room
A diya, a bell or a small plate. Only when you know the family's faith and practice.
A contribution to their honeymoon or new home
Ask a family member how the couple would like to receive it.
A piece of gold or silver jewellery
Small and classic, such as earrings, a chain or a ring, is worn more often than large and elaborate.
A weekend trip
Choose a place a few hours away. Two calm days are better than a rushed long journey.
A big family gift bought together
A television, a washing machine or a holiday, given by all the children or all the friends as one gift.
No idea matches these choices. Set one of the boxes back to "Any".
Your shortlist
How to choose for a married couple
- Ask a close family member whether the couple has a wish list or would prefer money.
- For a new home, choose things that match any decor: plain, good quality, in neutral colours.
- If you give money, put it in a proper envelope with your name and a line of blessing.
About the spending levels
This site does not quote prices, because prices change with the city, the shop and the year. Each idea is marked with one of four levels instead:
- Token: A small gesture: the cost of a snack or a few cups of tea.
- Modest: An everyday gift for friends and family.
- Generous: A special gift for someone close or a big occasion.
- Grand: A once-in-years gift, often given by a family together.
Questions people ask
What is a good gift for a married couple?
Start from what the person does every day and what they would not buy for themselves. On this page, "A box of their favourite sweets" and "A gift card for a shop they use" are two ideas that suit most people.
What if I have very little to spend?
Choose the Token level in the filter. Handmade and personal gifts, such as a tree or fruit sapling, cost little and are often the ones remembered.
Gifts for other people
Guides
- Shagun: giving moneyThe envelope, the extra rupee and how to decide the amount.
- Gifting etiquetteGiving, receiving, regifting and gifts to avoid.
- Return giftsIdeas for birthdays, weddings, pujas and housewarmings.
- Gift wrappingWrap a box neatly, or wrap without paper at all.
- Gift messagesShort lines to write on a tag or card, to copy.
- Secret Santa name drawerPair everyone for a gift exchange on one phone.