25 Return Gifts Under ₹100 Kids Actually Use (2026 Guide)
Quick answer: The best return gifts for kids in India are useful, colourful and plastic-light – crayons, colour pencils, sketch pens, fancy erasers, clay packs, washi tape and mini stationery kits. Most parents spend about ₹100–150 per child, and stationery gives you the most "wow" for that budget. Here are 25 ideas under ₹100, plus a 2026 gifting calendar.
Key takeaways
- Party retailers suggest ₹100–150 per child as a reasonable return-gift budget.
- India's single-use plastic ban (1 July 2022) covers many party items, from plastic cutlery to thermocol décor.
- Families spend on average ₹2,002 per student a year on textbooks and stationery (NSS 2025).
- Big 2026 gifting dates: Kanjak (19 Oct), Diwali (8 Nov) and Children's Day (14 Nov).
Why stationery makes the smartest return gift
A plastic toy is forgotten by Monday; a set of colour pencils gets used every week. Stationery is useful for every age, fits every budget, is easy to pack in bulk and pleases parents as much as kids. With India's school stationery market worth about US$2.7 billion in 2026 (IMARC estimate), it's clear families value it.
25 return gift ideas under ₹100
For toddlers and pre-schoolers (2–5 years)
- DOMS 10-shade wax crayons
- Chunky plastic crayons
- Tempera colour set (6 shades)
- Air-dry bouncing clay
- Clay star modelling pack
- A small drawing book + crayon combo
- Glitter foam sheets for sticker art
For 5–8 year olds
- 12-shade colour pencils
- 12-shade water colour pens
- Fine sketch pens
- Extra-long crayons (16+1 shades)
- Fancy erasers and a sharpener
- Camouflage-print pencils
- Origami sheets with a folding guide
- 2.0 mm mechanical pencils in fun colours
For 8–12 year olds
- Glitter pen set
- Washi tape box for journaling
- Liquid roller pens with cute packaging
- A mini geometry box
- Fabric glue cone + craft sheets for DIY
- A pocket notebook + gel pen pair
For any age – custom touches
- Name-printed pencil pouches
- Personalised name stickers and tags
- A "thank you for coming" printed card with a colour set
- A mini hamper mixing 3–4 of the above
How to make ₹100 look like ₹300
- Theme it: match colours to the party theme – dinosaurs, space, unicorns.
- Personalise: a printed name tag instantly makes a gift feel special.
- Pack smart: kraft paper, jute thread and a strip of washi tape beat shiny plastic.
- Buy in packs: ordering 10 or 12 of the same item keeps gifts fair and costs down – every SoulWavee product comes in packs of 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 or 12.
Keep it plastic-light
Since 1 July 2022, India has banned single-use plastic items such as plastic cups, plates, cutlery and straws, plastic balloon sticks, thermocol for decoration and plastic film on sweet boxes and invitation cards. Stationery-based return gifts in paper packaging are an easy way to celebrate without the plastic.
Your 2026 gifting calendar
| Occasion | Date | Gift idea |
|---|---|---|
| Kanya Pujan (Kanjak) | Mon, 19 October | Kanjak hampers from ₹40 |
| Dhanteras | Fri, 6 November | Corporate and staff gifting |
| Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Sun, 8 November | Festive stationery hampers |
| Bhai Dooj | Tue, 10 November | Gifts for younger siblings |
| Children's Day | Sat, 14 November | Class-wide colour sets and prize kits |
Children's Day has been celebrated in India on 14 November – Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday – since 1964. Regional panchangs can differ by a day for festivals, so check yours.
FAQs
What is a good budget for return gifts in India?
Retailer guides suggest about ₹100–150 per child as a reasonable minimum, with deluxe kits going up to ₹300–400.
What are good eco-friendly return gifts?
Crayons, colour pencils, clay, origami sheets and craft kits packed in paper instead of plastic.
When is Diwali in 2026?
The main day, Lakshmi Puja, is Sunday, 8 November 2026. The festival runs from Dhanteras (6 November) to Bhai Dooj (10 November).
Why is Children's Day celebrated on 14 November?
It's Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday. India has marked the day since his death in 1964.
Planning a party? DM us on Instagram @soulwaveein or WhatsApp with your theme and headcount – we'll suggest a return-gift combo. Browse return gifts & hamper fillers and custom hampers.
