As GiftstoIndia24x7 marks 25 years of connecting families across borders, the company is looking back at how Rakhi gifting among NRIs has transformed—from handwritten letters and postal deliveries to same-day and express delivery options in eligible locations, personalized presents, and curated hampers. Raksha Bandhan is one of the festivities that cannot be missed, and for many centuries it has been celebrated by families, even when they had to overcome distance. Our gifting platform has been one of those that has been a part of their celebration. We can proudly say that we have been part of the evolution of online gifting platforms. Witnessing the way NRIs send love home across miles has changed dramatically, and we are glad we were there as their gifting partner. It has been 25 years, and ever since then, we have seen a dramatic change in preferences and a thoughtful shift in selecting Rakhi and gifts. Celebrating Raksha Bandhan and sending surprises today can be done within a few clicks. But it was not always like this; the process that is smooth and convenient today took years to develop and become what it is.

Then Vs. Now: A Journey of keeping the traditions alive

The journey of the process of online gifting had its challenges, and things apart from the services and conveniences have changed drastically. The biggest challenge that the NRIs faced back then was to send their love via Rakhi and a letter that had challenges of its own. International deliveries often took weeks for the courier to reach the destination. The process of selecting and sending Rakhi through the courier service was difficult, as it only provided delivery services for Rakhi and other items one would send. Now Rakhis have evolved and are also considered fashion accessories that have modern, contemporary designs. It has become universal to cherish siblings, not just the brother. Over the years, the celebration itself has become more inclusive, with many families embracing traditions such as tying Rakhi to sisters and sisters-in-law. It is a tradition in many regions to tie a Rakhi to the sister-in-law, and now it has been widely adopted. It has become a universal way to celebrate the fraternity that siblings have, cherish the bond with love, care, Rakhis, and gifts.

The Changing Trends

Handcrafted materials were the most cherished Rakhis, and traditional Rakhis were the most loved. The trends changed, and now there is more variety in Rakhis than ever. Rakhi has increasingly become a symbol of sibling relationships and family bonds. Sending Rakhi was mostly important because of the process, but now things have become easier, and sending Rakhi along with Rakhi hampers is the standard. Sweets have always been a tradition to send as gifts, but it was difficult back in the day. Now sweets along with a touch of health are sent at home. Health hampers filled with dryfruits and organic snacks are a popular choice of gifts.

Courier deliveries would take weeks to reach, whereas now it reaches its destination within a few days. Delivery services like same-day delivery and express delivery are also some amazing delivery options that are popular now, making sending gifts easy. While sending cash as gifts was one option, now personalized gifts are something that delights the person, making them feel special in a way that monetary gifts couldn’t.

Changes in NRIs' buying behaviour

We at GiftstoIndia24x7 have been on the landscape of online gifting platforms and have evolved alongside the changing trends. Catching up and devise services and many more things, making it easier for NRIs to use online services and send Rakhi and many more gifts, making international gifting significantly more convenient. The biggest changes in NRIs' purchasing have been:

Personalized gifts over generic or basic gifts reflect a desire for more meaningful gifts.
Customer interactions have proven that customers opt for premium gifts for a better and more thoughtful experience.
Sustainable choices matter more now than ever.
Premium or personalized gift hampers complete the gifting experience.
Gift cards as experience gifts offer flexibility.

Consumer preferences have shifted toward more thoughtful and personalized gifting experiences and have found a way to express the love they hold for their siblings. Throughout the years, the trends have shaped how the festivities unfold.

What has Stayed the Same?

Throughout the years, many things, services, and trends have changed; what remains unchanged is the essence of the festivities. Whether the gifts are grand or budget-friendly, the emotion behind the celebration and the effort to make siblings feel special remain the same no matter the time, year, or trend.

Over 25 years, GiftstoIndia24x7 has adapted alongside changing consumer preferences and technological advances in gifting. What we see is the essence, and no matter the trend, one thing is clear: people bridge the gap, express love, and celebrate auspicious days. As our CEO, Amit Desai, says, "Over the last 25 years, we've seen Rakhi gifting evolve from a simple exchange of tradition into an expression of personalization, convenience, and shared experiences. While technology has transformed how gifts are delivered, the emotional purpose behind Raksha Bandhan has remained unchanged."


About GiftstoIndia24x7.com
GiftstoIndia24x7.com has been enabling Indians around the world to send gifts to India. Celebrate Rakhi 2026 with our premium collection of rakhis & rakhi gifts. We have a delivery network spanning 6000+ cities, enabling you to send rakhis & rakhi gifts to India.

Media Contact:

Sridatri Kar
[email protected]
Head of Public Relations
Shaant Infosystems Pvt. Ltd.