Wedding gifts — while some refuse, there are a few who believe it to be much beyond just objects

Call it a formality or a token of blessing; varied and precious, they are special because they are gifts. And when it comes to weddings, gifts have not only been a part of the rituals but a trend as well. But with the changing mindsets and rituals, people perceive this gesture of gifting in different ways. And while some still think it's an important element of the wedding ritual, some prefer a no to such gifts.

Recently married, Vidya Jain, who didn't accept gifts from the guests who attended her wedding says gifting gets one into a lot of formality. "My maiden family has adopted this trend of not accepting gifts in any form- be it cash or any item. Besides, the intention of blessings should not be measured on the cost of gifts," says Jain. Putting forth a practical approach, the Patel family also feels it’s better not to accept gifts rather than taking them just for the sake of it when you don't really use them. "During weddings, people generally give crockery or clothes. Most of the time, the gifts tend to become repetitive or are already there in our homes. So it makes no sense taking any kind of gift from the guests. It unnecessarily proves to be an additional expenditure for the guests as well," says Kinjal Patel, who will be marrying next year.

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