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Continue shopping10 Dussehra Gift Ideas to Surprise Your Family and Friends
There's a reason so many families wait for Dussehra to start something. A new scooter comes home with a marigold garland on its handle. A child writes their first letters in a plate of rice. Someone finally signs up for the thing they've been talking about all year.
Vijayadashami is considered one of the most auspicious days of the year to begin something. And a beginning is a lovely thing to be part of.
So here are ten Dussehra gift ideas for the people in your life who are starting something new. Each one is a small push in the right direction, given on the best possible day to give it.
1. For the little one writing their first letters
The beginning: In many homes in Kerala, Vijayadashami is the day a child traces their very first letters in a plate of rice, with the whole family gathered around. Wherever you are, it's a good day to give a little one something that makes learning feel like play.
A gift for it: An art set with enough colours to fill every wall they can reach. A learning laptop, a talking alphabet playmat or a wooden easel board. A small keyboard with a microphone for the child who sings before they spell. And for older kids, a rocking horse that turns into a study table when they're ready to sit still.
A gift for it: An art set with enough colours to fill every wall they can reach. A learning laptop, a talking alphabet playmat or a wooden easel board. A small keyboard with a microphone for the child who sings before they spell. And for older kids, a rocking horse that turns into a study table when they're ready to sit still.
2. For the one who drove home a new car
The beginning: Dussehra is one of the busiest days of the year at car showrooms, and for good reason. Bringing a vehicle home on this day is considered a very good start. If someone close to you is doing exactly that, help them make the car feel like theirs.
A gift for it: A wireless CarPlay or Android Auto adapter so their music and maps connect the moment they start the car. A portable car air purifier with an aroma tray. A memory foam seat and lumbar cushion set for long drives, a digital tyre pressure gauge, and a big power bank for road trips. For the family that loves long drives, an inflatable car bed is a fun extra.
A gift for it: A wireless CarPlay or Android Auto adapter so their music and maps connect the moment they start the car. A portable car air purifier with an aroma tray. A memory foam seat and lumbar cushion set for long drives, a digital tyre pressure gauge, and a big power bank for road trips. For the family that loves long drives, an inflatable car bed is a fun extra.
3. For the one who's starting their fitness journey
The beginning: Every year, someone says "from Monday". Dussehra is a much better day to start than Monday. If someone in your family has been talking about getting active, make the first step easier by bringing the gym home.
A gift for it: A foldable walking pad that slides under the sofa when it's not in use. An exercise bike or a spin bike for the one who'd rather sit and pedal. Adjustable dumbbells and a foldable gym bench for strength training. And for the one just easing in, a yoga combo set or a push up board with resistance bands.
A gift for it: A foldable walking pad that slides under the sofa when it's not in use. An exercise bike or a spin bike for the one who'd rather sit and pedal. Adjustable dumbbells and a foldable gym bench for strength training. And for the one just easing in, a yoga combo set or a push up board with resistance bands.
4. For the one starting their first job
The beginning: First salary, first ID card, first awkward team lunch. Starting a new job is exciting and slightly terrifying, and it deserves to be marked.
A gift for it: Practical things for the workday they're still figuring out. A lap desk pillow for the days they work from home. A laptop power bank and a fast charger for the days they don't. An electric lunch box so a home cooked meal still tastes like one at 1 p.m. An insulated tumbler, an under desk pedal exerciser, and an extension board for a desk that never has enough plug points.
A gift for it: Practical things for the workday they're still figuring out. A lap desk pillow for the days they work from home. A laptop power bank and a fast charger for the days they don't. An electric lunch box so a home cooked meal still tastes like one at 1 p.m. An insulated tumbler, an under desk pedal exerciser, and an extension board for a desk that never has enough plug points.
5. For the home cook ready to try something new
The beginning: They've perfected the dal. They can make rajma with their eyes closed. Now they want to try baking, or crispy snacks without the kadhai of oil, or a proper espresso at home.
A gift for it: An air fryer or an oven toaster griller to open up a whole new section of recipes. An automatic dosa maker for the one who loves the idea of dosa but not the tawa. An espresso machine for the coffee lover, a nutri blender for smoothies, and an enamel cast iron Dutch oven for slow cooking.
A gift for it: An air fryer or an oven toaster griller to open up a whole new section of recipes. An automatic dosa maker for the one who loves the idea of dosa but not the tawa. An espresso machine for the coffee lover, a nutri blender for smoothies, and an enamel cast iron Dutch oven for slow cooking.
6. For parents starting a slower chapter
The beginning: The first Dussehra after retirement is a strange and lovely thing. No office tomorrow. No alarm. Just a lot of time, and finally the chance to enjoy it.
A gift for it: Comfort for all the unhurried days ahead. An electric foot spa or an air bag foot massager for the evenings. A full back massager with heat or a cordless neck massager for their favourite chair. An electric under blanket for winter nights and an adjustable wedge pillow for reading in bed.
A gift for it: Comfort for all the unhurried days ahead. An electric foot spa or an air bag foot massager for the evenings. A full back massager with heat or a cordless neck massager for their favourite chair. An electric under blanket for winter nights and an adjustable wedge pillow for reading in bed.
7. For the kid who's ready for their first ride
The beginning: The training wheels come off. The first wobbly push down the lane. A parent running behind, holding the seat, then quietly letting go. Some beginnings stay with a child forever.
A gift for it: A kids cycle with training wheels, sized for their age. A balance bike for the littlest ones, and inline skates or a kick scooter for the ones who already think they're experts. Add a helmet, because every first ride deserves one.
A gift for it: A kids cycle with training wheels, sized for their age. A balance bike for the littlest ones, and inline skates or a kick scooter for the ones who already think they're experts. Add a helmet, because every first ride deserves one.
8. For the friend who just picked up a new sport
The beginning: Everyone seems to be playing pickleball now. Or badminton in the society courtyard at 7 a.m. Or cricket with the office team on Sundays. If someone you love has just found their sport, help them look like they've been playing for years.
A gift for it: A pickleball paddle set with balls, a portable badminton net, a good racquet, or a Kashmir willow cricket bat. For the one who'd rather glide than run, a pair of inline skates.
A gift for it: A pickleball paddle set with balls, a portable badminton net, a good racquet, or a Kashmir willow cricket bat. For the one who'd rather glide than run, a pair of inline skates.
Begin on a good day
Some gifts mark an occasion. The best ones mark a beginning, and stay with the person long after the day itself.
This Dussehra, find someone who's starting something new, and give them a reason to keep going.
Shubh aarambh, and a very happy Dussehra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Dussehra gift for a housewarming?
Lots of families move into a new home around Dussehra. A cookware set, a juicer mixer grinder, a steam iron or a set of storage organisers helps them settle in.
What should I take when visiting someone's home on Dussehra?
Pair a box of sweets with something small and useful, like an insulated flask, a steel canister set or a copper water bottle.
Are kitchen appliances a good Dussehra gift?
They are one of the most popular choices. The festive season means more cooking at home, so an air fryer, a mixer grinder or an electric kettle is put to work right away.
What are good Dussehra gifts for the office?
Something every desk can use. Steel bottles, insulated tumblers, power banks and lunch boxes work for teams of any size and budget.
When should I order Dussehra gifts online?
About a week before the festival is a good idea, so your gifts arrive in time for the celebrations.