Gifting has become an integral part of our lives. The occasions may vary, and so do the people on these occasions. Though one thing that first comes to our mind when receiving the invitation for an event or occasion is what gifts to give. We have become active contributors to the thriving gifting industry without even realising it. The Indian gifting market is expanding like never before. The online gifting space is among the fastest growing segments in India and is estimated to touch $84 billion by 2024.

Interestingly, along with the volume and value of gifts that are growing exponentially, people are also evolving in their choice of gifts. With growing awareness about the challenges we face as a human race, people are becoming increasingly open to ideas such as sustainability, handcrafted, eco-friendly, cruelty-free and recyclability when choosing their gifts. As a result, responsible gifting of innovative products is expanding into all major domains including fabrics, ethnic wear, stationery, utensils & cookware, home décor, home accessories, perfumes and much more. With greater demand, the economics of gift products have also changed with manufacturers, making them more affordable for the commoner, and their greater availability in the market. Needless to say, eCommerce websites and mobile applications have empowered anybody and everybody to choose and order gifts online at the click of a button.

Be it any occasion, if there is one gift option that will always be relevant, it is stationery items. Stationery always makes thoughtful and useful gifts for a birthday, wedding, anniversary, festival or religious occasion. It helps to make a deeper connection with people, thus making it memorable and special. Over the last few years, sustainable stationery made from recyclable and biodegradable materials has captured people's imaginations, making handcrafted stationery items among the most preferred gift choices.

Here is a compilation of five stationery products that would make an excellent gift for your near and dear ones this festive season.

1. Eco-Friendly File Folder Set| Brown Spline

Uneako’s Eco-friendly Brown Spline File Folder is stylish, elegant and traditional that can be perfect for personal, corporate, academic and even casual occasions. The packet comes as a set of three stylish and convenient file folders with recyclable packaging, each with a dimension of 30x22 cm and a unique impacting message. Made from natural materials, this thoughtful stationery gift supports the cause of a climate-positive alternative to regular plastics.

1. Eco-Friendly Stationery Gift Box | 50 Plantable Seed Pencils

BioQ’s Eco-friendly Stationery Gift Box makes a great gift product for students, teachers, office colleagues, office events and even at birthday parties as return gifts. The charm of this gift is not just in the critical and relevant message of calling people to do their bit to save the environment, but going a step further and initiating them into real action. This gift box comprises 50 plantable seed pencils. These pencils and packaging are made from 100% recyclable paper and coloured using safe non-toxic colours. The planting instructions are mentioned on the packaging itself. The box comprises six eco-friendly plantable stationery sets that include colouring pens, colour ink pens, notepads with natural shade pages, seed pens & pencils and planting kits.

1. Pack of Eco-friendly Notebook with Banana Bark Cover | Set of 3

Elrhino’s Pack of Eco-friendly Notebooks has the twin advantage of being the coolest and a thoughtful gift. However, the feather in the product's cap is the banana bark cover that literally brings these 100% sustainable notebooks to life. Each eco-friendly notebook comprises 100 tree-free paper pages. It is handcrafted from natural waste, including elephant and rhino dung. So, scribble away worry-free, knowing you've made a sustainable choice. Be it your boss at work, your colleague, that someone special whom you want to impress or your children to whom you want to demonstrate the beauty of handcrafted stationery, this pack with three sets of eco-friendly notebooks with banana bark covers could be your perfect gift pack this festive season.