Innovation is defining gifts this festive season. Plants, books and decoration pieces are the new gifts as traditional mithaai makes way for gifts marked by personal touches.

Mrigya, a banking executive, has zeroed in on plant saplings to gift to her friends this Diwali. “There is so much of talk about environment degradation. So to spread the message, I have decided to gift saplings to my friends. Unlike a box of sweets, it would be a token of remembrance for a long time to come too.”

“Plants convey the concept of a Green Diwali. I believe it is not only about saying no to crackers but planting trees as well,” shares Ashish, a Panjab University student. Saplings rose, money plant and the tulsi are the preferred choices.

Books are another new entrant in the Diwali gift section. Chocolates have been replaced by Thomas Hardys and Shakespeare classics. Self-help books are a big hit too. “Books are an all-season gift and though not many prefer to give them on occasions like these, it is a good gesture to encourage the habit of reading. The trend to gift books is slowly picking up though,” says Ajay Arora of Capital Book Store, Sector 17.

Symbols of prosperity like the laughing Buddha and bamboo plants are also flying off the shelves. Idols of Ganesh are another option. “These are very inexpensive and are in sync with the festival when we pray for wealth and affluence. Many offices have given bulk orders for these for their employees,” says a gift shop owner in Sector 11.

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