Art and craft: colours, clay and embroidery

A return gift every child uses. Camlin, Faber-Castell and Doms are all trusted brands in India.

Choose washable ink; it comes out of clothes.

Fold paper into animals, flowers and boats. Cheap, calming and good for the brain.

Make sure it comes with a picture-based step-by-step guide.

Clay diyas and paints: children decorate their own diyas and light them at Diwali. Great as a return gift too.

Choose a kit with water-based, non-toxic paints.

Make diyas, rangoli pieces and small models. No oven needed; it dries in the air.

Check that the box says "non-toxic".

A Camlin or Faber-Castell student set with a thick-paper sketch book. Thick paper stops watercolours from spreading.

Brushes in 3 sizes are enough.

String beads into bracelets, necklaces and keychains. Handmade jewellery also makes lovely gifts for friends.

Keep beads away from toddlers in the house.

Hoop, threads and a printed design: everything to learn a first embroidery in one box.

Choose a kids' kit with a blunt needle.

Crayons, colour pencils, oil pastels and sketch pens in one case. A treasure box for children who love drawing.

Very cheap sets have dull colours; choose a known brand.

Painting on real canvas that can hang on the wall. Makes older children feel like real artists.

Acrylic paint doesn't wash out of clothes; wear an old shirt.