Navratri / Golu Gift Ideas

Coming to the gift part, first and foremost thing I would like to stress is 'Gift' is not important for a celebration. The boosting of spirit & sweet memories are the best gifts you can give your guests as a wonderful Host.

Still sharing some ideas if you desire to gift. 

Few points before you buy a gift:-

• Plan it as per your budget.
• Prepare a list of Guest whom you expect will attend the golu so that accordingly you can decide on the suitable gift for them
• Seasonal gifts

Image courtesy : Google Search

SPIRITUAL GIFTS :-

1. Idols of deities
2. Mythological / Spiritual stories
3. Decorative items for deities (for those who conduct poojas)viz.,  garlands, vagamalai, throne, seat, Umbrella, Thombai, etc (you can google to see the pictures to get an idea on what they are) - Crochet Toran, Crochet Garland  for deities 
4. Small dresses & jewelleries for small idol of gods etc
5. Brass items viz., urulis, etc. 

Thombai : ,    Umbrella :
Vagamalai : ,  small Urulis : 

FANCY / DECOR ITEMS :-

1. A stone studded kum kum chests  
2. Tamboolam set or Aarati Plates  [plate, kum kum, haldi, lamp (fixed) ] This will help the receiver to use for their poojas.
3. Wooden covered agarbathi stand cum box (it will be nice to see the smoke coming out of the holes, the ash falls into the box thus helps for easy cleaning)
4. Imitation jewellery sets, pendants
5. Fancy Bangles
6. If the guest also keeps golu, find some unique dolls & gift them or festoons for decorations
7. Fancy house decor items viz., vase, fengsui dolls etc
8.  Thorans / door hangings
9. Fruit Basket / bread Basket
10. Table place mats, coasters
11. Doilies
12. Indoor Plants which comes in small pots
13. Cosmetics
14. Antique look alike pieces

SEASONAL GIFTS  :-

1. Fancy Diya sets (lamps) -will be put to use for the oncoming deepavali festival  
2. Christmas tree ornaments
3. Books - story, good housekeeping, tips n tricks, etc.
4. Home made chocolates in personalised wraps
5. Kolam books
6. Rangoli Powders
7. Art & craft kits

 OTHERS:-

1. Stationery items for kids
2. Recipe books (you can make your own & gift too)
3. Fancy Cloth / jute bags (as a part of go green measure to help them shop)
4. Your personalised art & craft gifts

I will keep updating various things as and when they come to my mind. In the meantime, you may also check the following posts on navratri / golu.

Navratri Chundal varities (Sundal)

Sweet Puttu

Navratri / Golu


Navratri Golu Ideas


Navratri Preparation

Park - tips & suggestions

Happy Navratri

Jai mata di

Navratri Golu Ideas

• There are variety of themes available from traditional to modern world viz., on saints / devotees, Temples, village life, Mythological stories, Pilgrimage, Festivals, On specific deities, Go Green, Good Thoughts, Mountains, Rivers, Clay works, Wood Works, Art & Craft etc

• You can use idols, pictures or drawings / paintings by you or by your kids or a mixture of it to display the themes

• Use a light shaded background on steps etc so that it gives clarity to your display. White or off white is the best colour for this purpose.

• Instead of going for electric illumination go for Oil Lamps or Candles to give a classic effect

• You can hang a nice saree or netted shiney duppatta material available for decoration to decorate the centre background wall going to the two sides of the golu steps.

• You can let your kids make paper butterfly and stick it here n there. Involve them in decorative works as it will also keep them engaged and let them knowledge of the tradition & golue arrangement - a helping hand for you. 

• You can make kolams in thermacol or plastic plates for each day and keep on display.  Also discuss some topics on different types of kolams (dry flour, wet flour, spirals, dotted, geometrical, various types of rangoli etc).

• Flowers floating in water along with some candles also bring a beauty to your arrangement

• If you or your children has talents like singing, dancing, story telling etc you as a colony of people can come together and arrange functions by 8 pm to bring out their talents, award each kid. Light refreshments can be distributed between various families for each day thus bring equal participation & involvement.

• If you or your children know art & craft works. Let them teach it to those who are interested to learn (elders & kids). This will make the celebration more interesting.

• Play some light classical instrumentals in the background to lit up the ambience.

• Make sure you have one senior citizen from your neighbouhood (you can bring them together and plan for it) to be present everyday evening to tell mythological stories.

• Make yourself available or your kids to give a warm welcome to the guests. A smile & welcome makes the occasion inviting.

• Offering sacred things like chandan, kum kum be given to kids.

• Plan a evening celebration exclusively for :- (never forget to invite the those living in single in all the below celebration)

1. senior citizens
2. Kids
3. Wives
4. Husbands
5. Family get together

• Make sure every night after the traditional golu poojas & visiting hours you along with neighbours or your building / colony people come together & spend some quality time together. It strengthen the relationships. Moreover such celebrations will help you get introduced to any new comers in your colony / building. 

• If celebration happens as a community, together then expenses can be shared & joy increases. Binds the relationship & cultivate good habits & tradition to the young generation. 

Do check some more navratri / golu suggestions :-
 
Navratri / Golu


Navratri Preparation

Navratri Golu Ideas

 

Park - tips & suggestions

Wish you all a happy navratri.

Jai mata di