New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- I came across a fascinating survey by The Ken recently: its annual deep-dive into India's gifting habits. Over 250 readers shared their philosophies, formulas and moral frameworks for what is, let's face it, one of the most fraught yet revealing human behaviours: the art of gifting.

Reading it felt a bit like glimpsing a collective Indian diary of sentiment and self-awareness, sprinkled with generosity and guilt in equal parts. It turns out we are a nation of philosophers when it comes to gifts.

Some respondents spoke movingly about choosing "something meaningful that the person wouldn't buy for themselves." Others emphasized "utility," "sustainability" or the goal of "creating happy memories."

And then, there wer...