Presenting gifts to friends and relatives is a popular practice during Diwali .
While earlier, people used to gift flowers and sweets but now the trend has changed and people are now gifting dry fruits and branded gift hampers of eatables from a wide range available in the market. Boxes of dry fruits are designed in various shapes and some of them also have Ganesh-lakshmi pictures on the box covers.
These boxes are catching public attention because of the colorful packing and shapes. These gift hampers are available in various quantities and price in the market. Sohan Singh of Janta Bakers on Rajpur Road said that they have more than 15 different types of gift hampers of dry fruits in the shop.
"The gift hampers are available in various quantities and price starting from 350 gram to 1.5 kg with 350 gram hamper costing Rs 400 and 1.5 kg hamper costing Rs 2,150. Most of the people are buying branded hampers because of their wide range and variety.
Gift hampers also made on order as per the requirements of the customers. Customers are also buying cookies as a gift for their relatives and friends," he added. Prashant Vishnoi, manager of Needs Super Market on Subhash Road said that the trend of gifting dry fruits is increasing among the people especially during Diwali.
"Gift hampers are made on order as different customers have different choices. Price of the hampers ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 1,300," he said. Vijay, owner of Chocolate Corner on Rajpur Road said that they have a wide range of branded dry fruits, but most of the people are going for branded gift hampers containing snacks.
Rashmi a local resident said that ready made gift hampers are the best gift for relatives and friends as they are easily available in the market at varied prices. Another local, Ravi said that dry fruits are the best choice during Diwali as most of the sweets contain artificial contents which may prove detrimental to the health of the consumer.