by Sande Waybill

Created on: October 09, 2009

One of the main traditions associated with Diwali is that of buying and giving gifts to family and friends. In fact, without the sharing of presents, Diwali would appear to be incomplete and bland. The giving and receiving of gifts at Diwali is one of the main activities that can be shared and enjoyed with many.

The tradition of shopping for and giving gifts stems from the connection of Diwali to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Many customs prevalent in the festival of lights are based of the Goddess's generosity and favors given at this time of year. It is when people celebrate wealth and prosperity, whether they have some already or expect to gain it during Diwali. Many offices now provide a bonus to workers especially for the purpose of Diwali shopping.

For those shopping for overseas Hindu relatives or friends, there are now multiple websites offering special Diwali gifts that can be purchased online. However, the majority of celebrants prefer to attend the brightly lit malls and imbibe the atmosphere. However, the shopping arcades may become somewhat overwhelming and hectic; therefore, many people now prefer to buy most of their gifts online in advance. They can then enjoy the aura of the shopping mall whilst buying just a few treats and without having to rush.

Many special offers, discounts, and bargains abound. It is reported that some clothing fabric stores make half of their annual income at the Diwali sales time. Many of the shops fail to observe the practice of closing on days when they generally would at this time of year, eager to gain their fair share of the wealth provided by Goddess Lakshmi.

The hardest part about Diwali shopping might easily be deciding what to buy for each person on your list. There are numerous options possible, so when trying to determine which gifts suit which people it can become confusing. Traditionally, new clothing, sweets, jewelry, diyas, candles, puja trays, and crackers are all popular options. These days many more choices are available, including watches, dried fruits, photo frames, chocolates, and household items.

Greetings cards for Diwali are another popular shopping item that can be purchased a little in advance. They are a great way to make an annual connection to friends and family who live a long way away or who have lost touch throughout the year. Sending a greetings card shows that you still care and wish them well. If you are a little short of money, Diwali greetings cards can portray a picture of the gift that you would like to have given.

URLs used for research:
http://www.diwali-gifts.com/diwalishopping.html
http://www.come2india.org/diwali-shopping.html
http://eshop.webindia123.com/shop/category/diwali_gi fts_to_india

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