What are the best things to bring back from India?

npsmama

...in terms of money-saving not souvenirs!

I think I heard fabric was cheaper out there.

Does anyone know of anything else?

I'm into soapmaking, cosmetic making and cooking but apart from spices I don't know if cocabutter, shea butter etc are readily available/cheaper out there...

SusanCarter

Tea?

Personally I'd probably bring back loads of tea and fabric but don't know if it's be moneysaving.

Sallys_Savings

Fabric is cheaper in India if you shop local and not from the tourist shops.

Everything else would be souveniers..apart from the gorgeous spices

Have a fantastic trip

Dr.Lou

From reading a guidebook before a trip to India, apparently Jewellery and Gemstones are cheaper out there and high quality (but I remember reading to be careful not to be ripped off with fakes).

Fabrics are beautiful and cheaper than here. When I was there on a conference a lot of people went on special shopping trips just to buy silks.

I would also guess at spices too.

If I can remember some other things I will write back later.

Becles

Fabric - you can get beautiful sari material for next to nothing.

Made to measure posh clothes - my parents have come back with some lovely suits. Mam also has some beautiful dresses made from sari material in "western styles" such as a sun dress with matching wrap.

Glasses - much cheaper than the UK, so my parents get their eyes tested and buy specs on holiday!

Prescription drugs - can be bought over the counter cheaply.

Spices - best from markets, but keep an eye on hygeine.

angelavdavis

I went to Goa a couple of years ago, here is my 2 penn'th:

Handcrafted blankets - I bought a couple of double bedsized, beautiful beaded blankets (watch out they can be heavy). I bought them for £15 for the two and sold them for £20 each on ebay.
Beaded evenings bags - I purchased these for £2 each and sold on eBay for £8 each.
Shoes - beaded indian style shoes - I purchased them for £3 a pair - shop around, you might even get them cheaper
Silver - I bought some beautiful silver pendants with jet, turquoise and moon stones for my silver collar.
Gold Jewellery - I bought a Marquise cut diamond solitaire 24ct ring for £1300 from a reputable jewellery shop. It has just been valued as £3500!!

If you have lost an earring, take it with you and go into a jewellers, they will make a replica for a snip of the price. I took a pair of silver hoop earrings that had a really good hinged clasp and had a pair made in gold. Ask for them to be made in European gold rather than Indian weight.

Oh, and I took a fabulous sunset shot and won a runner up prize!

Have a great time!

lynzpower

not particularly crafty but do look out for himalaya herbals lip balm. All natural, they cost pence my mum got me a job lot when they went to india and its the one of the best products Ive ever tried.

Failing that my mum said dental treatment adn plastic surgery is popular with the brits :rotfl:

Lillibet_2

Most of the tailors will have european catalogues like next, M & S, debenhams etc, you can just pick what you want & they will make it to order for you, also if you have any clothes you really like take them & have copies made for a couple of pounds.
Jewelly is fab value but do take advice on where to shop, if you are going with a tour company ask the rep.
Bedspreads & linen are excellent value & quality, go to markets. Even in the tourist markets these are still fab value, although much sheaper still (but plainer) in local shops.
Leather goods like shoes, handbags etc tend to be good & you can get them made to order, they are still much cheaper than here but not as cheap as other stuff comparitavely.
Most of their dentists are UK trained, operate to much higher than NHS standards and charge a fraction of the price, if I ever go back I'll have a check up before I go & get any work done out there!

Have a fab time;)

ChocClare

Contact lenses and glasses! Take your prescription with you - I was gutted that I didn't have mine as we were in Chennai (Madras) where all the best eye hospitals are and I could have got them for a fraction of the price they are here. I also bought yards and yards of silk; books (latest English titles available everywhere at half the price);shoes; handbags;linen clothes; silver and gold jewellery; CDs - you name it, it's cheaper. You are restricted on the value of the stuff you can bring back, however, so don't go too mad!!

weegie_2

My father in law is Indian and goes back a couple of times a year to see family. He usually gets his suits made while he is over there - they cost pennies compared to here and are gorgeous. He also brings back my mother in law gorgeous jewellery worth thousands - but costs a fraction over there. Also brings back frames for glasses for the family and we get lenses fitted. Much much cheaper.

angeldelite

I know i'll b repeatin some of the things already mentioned here but here goes.. definitely fabric as ure already thinkin... n i agree with some ppl here.... shoes, speshly the 'kusse' type which shops like Dolcis etc sell for bout £15 each wen u cud probly get em for £3 max, as well as goin out type shoes to match with outfits as places like india hav most of their styles in every color which i think is ace cos i luv matchin everythin.. oh which reminds me, bags, like any kind, u know hand bags-b it goin out type ones or everyday use ones. I agree with the drugs suggestion too, prescription or non also designer clothes, but beware of the fakes as is usual with every place u go to, actually not just designer, all clothes r cheap as weegie sez stuff like made to measure suits r well cheap

and all the the other suggestions i totally agree with jewellery, glasses, CD's DVD's... quote me if i'm wrong but i think 'most' stuff is cheaper there... obviously u dont just go buyin everythin cos mayb u hav diff tastes etc

apart from that - is it u thats goin?? if it is, hav a grt time!!