10 gifts Malayalis are tired of receiving from the Gelf

In the life and times of Malayali boys and girls, receiving gifts from NRI uncles and aunties is a common place occurrence. However, what makes this ritual dreadful is the fact that they receive the same gifts every year. To be honest, every malayali has received these gifts at least five times in their lifetime and in the world of gift giving, this is way too much. Read on to know what household items have been gifted by slightly unimaginative relatives who visit Kerala every summer. 

Chocolates                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Too much chocolate never killed anyone but it definitely can bore some people. Especially cheap ones that are wrapped in shiny paper or  chocolate bars like Snickers and coconut filled Bounty. These do not please our taste buds anymore, relatives.

Souvenirs that always include camels                                                                                                                                                                                                    

From camel toys to crystal figures of the Burj Khalifa, these are some of the most common but dreaded gifts. After all, how much space can you make for these many miniatures?

Dates                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Though this may seem like a sweet idea, dry fruits like cashew nuts, raisins, pista and badam aren’t any different from the one’s sold in India.

Blankets                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Cheap quality blankets which may not even last till your next visit are always gifts for the seniors of the house.

Balms  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

With every person returning from Dubai, comes along a box full of balms, Tiger balms. Unless it is asked for in specific, Tiger balms shouldn’t be an item that you    gift someone.

Perfumes and Soaps     

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Yardley perfumes and Imperial soaps are two things that have been taking up way too much space in every Malayali’s house.

 

Talcum powders                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Cuticura talcum powder is always gifted with perfumes. In essence, every Malayali kid has been witness to the buy one get one free offer from a very young age.

Attars                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Attars have a very strong scent which may not be liked by many outside the Middle East. Smelling like a rose all the time wouldn’t be preferred by everyone.

Mobile Phones and TVs   

                                                                                                         

It may be cheaper in the Middle East, but using these electronic goods from outside the country can get complicated once the product requires repair. From getting parts replaced to getting softwares changed, most of which may not be available in India.

 

Tang 

                                                                                                                                 

This fruit flavoured juice powder comes in different flavours and clearly is the go-to gift for all Dubai returns. It has honestly been overdone and over used in every Malayali household, making it a done and dusted gift.