Brightly decorated fruits are cheaper and also the healthier gift option this diwali.
Taking to heart the saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, Amdavadis are using the fruit or rather fruits to keep something else at bay as well. Many are turning to fresh fruits as a gifting option to ensure minimum consumption of sweets. It is also turning out to be the ‘in’ thing in gifts for the diet conscious.
Meanwhile, fruit- sellers and florists in the city are cashing in on the trend in which an assortment of fruits is presented in attractive packaging with innovative decorations. Anjani Sultania, a florist who makes customised gift baskets, said that fruits add to the wow factor. “Given their colour, fruits give a rich look to the whole package. And once decorated they make it extremely attractive,” said Sultania.
The gift package also contains flowers, dry fruits and fire crackers as well. Imported fruits like kiwi, pear, plums, sweet tamarind, strawberry and custard apple are used to accentuate the fruit basket. The gift wrapped fruit basket range costs anywhere from Rs300 to Rs2,000 depending on the fruits and the packaging.
Kamal Murjani, a fruit vendor at the Kalupur Fruit market said there has been a 30% to 40% demand this season. “We also wrap fresh juice bottles, which also get a decent number of buyers,” said Murjani.
Needless to say both economics and health are playing an important role in the new trend.
Priyanka Oza, who has bought a gift package of fruits said, “I chose it for my friend who is a diabetic. She was not only overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture but also loved the way it was decorated.” Many also see it as an effort to be different from others. Pankaj Rawat, a store managers at a retail supermarket in the city said, “More than the health factor, I think many look at it as a status symbol,” said Rawat. Shopkeepers say fruits also turn out to be a cheaper option when compared to sweets.
Dr Banshi Saboo, a diabetologist, said that gifting fruits can actually turn out to be a boon. “Why gift it to diabetics alone. Overall there has been a drop in consumption of fruits in our daily diet. Fruits as gifts will ensure that we eat them in adequate quantity and also help people away from sweets, which are anyday more harmful,” said Dr Saboo.
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