Every Diwali, somewhere in India, a perfectly nice scented candle goes straight into a cupboard and stays there until next Diwali. Nobody meant any harm. The giver simply ran out of time and picked whatever was on the shelf near the billing counter.

If you are making a list of women’s fashion accessories gift ideas this year, here is a small test worth running before you buy anything. Ask yourself whether she will still be using it in February. Diwali sweets will be gone in a week and the diya set will be packed away by Kartik Purnima, so the gift that lasts is the one that fits into her normal Tuesday.

Why a bag beats most accessories as a Diwali gift for women

Jewellery needs you to know her taste in metal, length and occasion. Watches need you to know her wrist. Scarves and stoles depend heavily on colour, and colour is personal.

A good bag is far more forgiving. She will carry it to work, to college, to the sabzi market and to her cousin’s engagement, which means one gift gets seen a hundred times. It also does a job, and gifts that do a job rarely end up forgotten.

That is the thinking behind most of the Trishii range. These are bags made for women who are building careers and chasing plans, so they are made to hold a water bottle, a diary and the small chaos of a full day.

Five gift ideas, sorted by the woman you are buying for

For the friend who has opinions. A Speak Series tote with a line printed big and bold. “Carry Your Era,” “Built Different” and “Ambition Looks Good On You” read like small pep talks she gets to wear on her shoulder. These are also the most budget friendly pick in the range, so they work well when you are buying for a whole friend group.

For the sister who reads her horoscope before breakfast. The zodiac designs in the Core Carry range, with Aries, Leo, Libra and Taurus already live. It feels personal without you having to guess her favourite colour.

For the colleague you want to thank properly. The Core Carry tote is a roughly square bag, around 14 by 14 inches, which means it handles files, a charger and lunch without complaint. Pick a calm design like Abstract or Mumbai City Club so it sits well with office wear.

For the woman who already owns everything. A Signature Drops bag. These are limited designs with one strong idea each, like Monochrome Muse or Sage Theory, and they look like something she chose herself.

For anyone you want to surprise. A custom tote with her name, a private joke or a photo printed on one side. More on this below, because it is the gift people talk about at the next family function.