Struggling to think of unique gifts for rakhi? We have you sorted!
By The Masala Team
Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is upon us again. The time of year to celebrate strong sibling bonds and family ties (literally), we’ve become way too accustomed to gifting the same ol’ envelopes of cash, Ferrero Rocher chocolate boxes, and other sweet treats to our loved ones. So, to keep things interesting, we’ve put together a gift guide so you can really surprise your siblings this year!
CUSTOM GIFT BOXES
The trend of custom gift boxes have truly gained traction this year with more local options emerging. Instead of the run of the mill hamper you can pick up from your neighbourhood department store, custom gift boxes give you the option to personalise your message, what kind of goods are going into the box, and best of all, you can play around with your budget. Two examples from within the community include Wrap Me Up (@_wrapmeup) and JoyBox (@shopjoybox), both of which support local artisans in their gifting solutions!
PERSONALISED ART
If you’re looking for a personalised gift that your sibling or cousin will cherish forever, one idea is a custom illustration. Whether you’re looking for something in a more minimal-style or a fully detailed piece, there are several artists in our community that can put something special together for you. Ananya Pawa behind @thebucketeers specialises in colourful and fun illustrations that can be placed against fun backgrounds such as a Spotify play screen with your chosen song. Another option is Amrita Luthra who is behind @sketchastory.th, as she offers digital and framed illustrations with personalised messages, cards, props, and unique bloom balls that consist of a custom drawing placed amongst dried flowers!
LOCAL SWEET TREATS
An Indian occasion is incomplete without something ‘meetha’ (sweet) and with many homegrown dessert brands available, there are countless options to choose from including cupcakes, doughnuts, cakes, and more that you can order while supporting our community members! Check out Sweet Surprise (@sweetsurprise_bkk) that offer a variety of sweets such as their best-selling smashable cake; Mad Batter (@madbatter.bkk) who offer a wide-range of dessert and fresh baked bread; and Labouqake (@labouqake) that fuses together fresh flowers and cupcakes. A welcome diversion from traditional big-name chocolate brands, each of these dessert brands offer customisable options.
PARTY AT HOME
Not all gifts need to be tangible! One idea is to gather some décor items, favourite foods and drinks, and games such as Monopoly, Clue, or Scrabble, and host a special day at home for your sibling. There are plenty of ways to customise your setup, you can glam up your dinner table with flowers, classy glassware, and serve your loved one’s favourite dishes as there’s nothing more comforting than a homecooked meal. If you want to take it up a notch, bring out your artistic skills and decorate the thali with bright colours, chocolates, and flowers before tying the rakhi. You can also go through old photographs and recollect memories!
SWAP YOUR STRAPS
Beyond just the traditional string rakhi, you can also gift your loved one a leather band or strap that they can wear beyond just the one day. Some of the easiest places to find these bands include H&M and Zara that stock simple beaded bands, multi-strand leather bands, and three-pack bracelets in a variety of colour sets. If you want to shop local, check out brands like Harmenstone that offer bracelets made with semiprecious stone beads that possess different powers associated with nature, as well as options for personalisation.
A BOX OF FUN
Perfect for younger siblings or the parents of young children, you can now purchase boxes of fun activities that will allow kids to expand their knowledge while having fun. A thoughtful gift to give the littles ones in your family! One example of where to order from is Fun Kits (@funkits.bkk) that offer a monthly subscription of fun activities that are delivered directly to your doorstep, as well as a menu you can use to put together a one-time, customised fun kit (prices start at THB 699). Similarly, Play Box (@playboxthailand) is another option. Beyond just camp and group sessions you can book for your little ones, they have curated a selection of educational boxes with activities that will help develop creative skills, an understanding of science, motor skills, and much more!
