Hosting gift for Gujarati couple
November 19, 2014 2:27 PM

What sort of "hosting" gift should I bring to an Indian (Gujarati) couple who have invited my husband and me for lunch in their new home?

I live in Western Canada and work with a man who's been in Canada for about 5 years but is originally from Gujarat, as is his wife, who has been here for just one year. They are quite traditional and devout Hindus.They recently bought their first home, coincidentally very close to our neighbourhood and have asked my husband and me to join them for lunch in their home this Sunday. I'd like to bring a small gift; I was thinking in the $20-$25 range. Is this an approporiate price range, and what sort of gift might be appreciated? I know my colleague doesn't drink alcohol as a matter of choice, I think, rather than religious observance. Apart from that, they are in their 30s, professional, and well-educated.
posted by angiep to Society & Culture (8 answers total)
Every newly occupied home needs a good healthy indoor/outdoor plant. It implies future goodness in any culture I would think.
posted by Freedomboy at 3:02 PM on November 19, 2014


I would just bring them whatever you would normally bring in this situation, but probably not alcohol or anything alcohol-adjacent (like brandy-soaked chocolates or something).

Flowers?

Chocolates?

Especially nice fruit/seasonal food item?

Dessert to share?

Some cute little home object everyone can always use lots of, like dish towels or something?
posted by Sara C. at 3:03 PM on November 19, 2014


A really nice fruit bowl, one that can look decorative on a table if it's not filled with fruit. You could also put fruit in it - in India there's a traditional ceremony when someone moves into a house and sharing fruit is part of it, so this would be both a nice gift and also show some acknowledgement of your friends' culture.
posted by essexjan at 3:11 PM on November 19, 2014


Get them something sweet. It is tradition in India to share sweet things on occasions. Dont get cake as that will have eggs (if they are vegetarian) but anything else like Pie would be good.
posted by jellyjam at 4:47 PM on November 19, 2014


Chocolates, or those Danish cookies that come in those little compartments.
posted by zutalors! at 6:19 PM on November 19, 2014


A bottle of maple syrup?
posted by mearls at 6:57 PM on November 19, 2014


Dates are always nice.
posted by oceanjesse at 7:39 PM on November 19, 2014


I'm Gujerati. Concur with jellyjam to get something sweet, but not something that needs to be consumed immediately - as they've probably already got dessert organized for the meal. Nice chocolates, fudge, chocolate covered fruit/nuts - anything like that will go down well.
posted by darsh at 1:05 PM on December 9, 2014


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