Support South Asian with these Five Unique Gift Ideas
Posted on December 7, 2021 | by Aqleema Anwar
Gift-giving is easy to do -- finding unique gifts to give, now that’s more of a challenge. It may feel simpler to walk into a major retailer and pick out a generic present, or fill your online cart with a few clicks and call it a day. But we challenge you to get adventurous with your gift-giving this year!
Here’s a list of 5 South Asian retailers who offer interesting gift ideas (many under $50) and who you can feel good about supporting. Also, do you know who isn’t dealing with a supply chain issue? Local small businesses. Show your support and snag some great deals too.
1) HYFN – this clothing and accessories brand first gained popularity with its uniquely styled reversible puffer jacket. They also offer adult and child t-shirts with their slogan “BROWN KIDS WITH BIG IMAGINATIONS”.
Or you might want to pick up a halal/haram winter beanie. A cheeky take on the traditional naughty or nice.
2) PYARFUL- This website offers South Asian-inspired cards, stationery, and candles. A great source for even the pickiest on your list. But this popular line of products doesn’t last long so be sure to do your shopping early to have a bigger selection to choose from.
Our pick? The Masala Chai and Mithai Candle duo.
3) BANGLEZ - This Toronto-based jewelry house is run by Malinda and Hardip Chohan and their designs are as beautiful as their love story which started as them being high school sweethearts. Their collection ranges from necklaces to earrings to a selection for men. This budget-friendly line offers intricate styles with colourful jewels, guaranteed to delight whoever opens this box up on Christmas morning. We love the delicate simplicity of the Achai Headpiece.
4) THE CHAI BOX –
Who doesn’t love tea? And we’ve definitely come a long way from the orange pekoe and English breakfast teabags our parents used to drink (definitely nothing wrong with either of those) but it’s time to branch out! The chai box offers one of the widest selections of desi-style teas you may ever see in one place. Honestly, we recommend just scrolling through the website as a way to destress. But once you’re done that, definitely place an order for your tea-loving friends or even someone who’s hesitant to put their coffee down for a hot minute. A gift like this may just convert them.
In our cart: The Chai + Biscuits Gift Set because well, chai AND biscuits.
5) AMMARAH COLLECTIVE –
If you still can’t decide and need some help, Vancouver-based Ammarah Collective is a great resource of thoughtfully curated, slow fashion, designer-supported products. Here you will find a range of items from clothing to accessories to ornate bookmarks all artisan handcrafted. And you can buy confidently knowing that their mission to support the makers is never compromised. As their website says, “We strive to be more inclusive not only of the people wearing our clothes but also of the people making our clothes.” We would definitely recommend checking out the ornate bookmarks for the avid reader on your list.
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