On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, as siblings come together to celebrate their bond, gifting is taking a more personal turn this year. Instead of simply picking up another present, many are looking for gifts that create memories — from curated hampers and hobby kits to meals, workshops and activities planned together. For Bengaluru siblings, the thought behind the gift is becoming as important as the gift itself. Shruti Sharma, who is celebrating Rakhi with her brother today, says, “We have grown up sharing almost everything, so I feel the best gifts are the ones that create another memory for us. It could be a dinner, a short outing or even something connected to an interest we both enjoy. Years later, I may not remember what was in the gift box, but I will remember the day we spent together.”A hamper that says, ‘I know you’The traditional Rakhi hamper is also getting a makeover. Instead of being a box of chocolates and sweets, hampers are increasingly being put together around the personality and interests of the person receiving them. Personalised notes, photographs, favourite snacks, candles, perfumes, books and hobby-related products can turn a simple hamper into something more meaningful.Hamper curator Disha says, “People are not just looking for basic chocolates and sweets, they’re choosing more premium and thoughtfully curated products like branded perfumes, aesthetic candles, healthy snack bars, premium-segment fruits and gourmet treats. The trend is especially appealing to those who want to move beyond conventional Rakhi gifting. Wicker baskets are also a major trend this year.”The idea is to show that some thought has gone into choosing the gift. A brother who loves coffee could get a curated coffee set, while a sister who enjoys painting could receive an art workshop or a customised art hamper. Even childhood photographs, favourite snacks and a handwritten note can make a gift feel personal.Make time the giftFor siblings, an experience does not necessarily have to be elaborate or expensive. A meal at a favourite restaurant, a pottery or baking workshop, a concert, a movie date, a short drive or simply spending an afternoon together can become the gift. Kshitij Sharma feels the experience matters more than the price tag. “With siblings, you already have years of memories to work with. So, I think the best gift is something that connects to those memories. This Rakhi, instead of just handing over a present, I would rather take my sister out, do something she enjoys and spend a few hours without worrying about work or our usual schedules,” he shares.Sweets, with a twistWhile gifting is changing, sweets remain an important part of Rakhi celebrations. Traditional mithai is now finding space alongside contemporary desserts, customised cakes, gourmet chocolates and healthier options. “The concept of ‘mithai meets’ isn’t going anywhere. People love to blend sweets with gifts, and the perfect example is our dessert rose or cosmic cookies. And of course, there is always a demand for healthy options, so a lot of gluten-free, sugar-free or date-sweetened desserts do the rounds. We also have the matcha sets which are trending,” says Nupur T. Pandya, founder of a bespoke gifting design studio.
We have grown up sharing almost everything, so I feel the best gifts are the ones that create another memory for us
Shruti Sharma, who is celebrating Rakhi with her brother
With siblings living in different cities, Rakhi has become one of the few ‘check-ins’ left, so they ensure to make it count. It is less about tying the thread, and more about sending meaningful gifts that matter. That instinct to make someone feel magical never gets old, it just gets more thoughtful about how it shows up
Nupur Todi Pandya, founder of a gifting studio
From unwrapping to doing something togetherFor siblings who already seem to have everything, an experience can also take the pressure out of choosing a gift. It could be a meal, a workshop, a concert or simply a day planned around something the sibling loves. “If personalised products are one part of the story, shared experiences are the other. Nobody wants a generic thread anymore — they want ‘proof’ that they actually know the person. A single perfect gift is stressful to pick. A hamper takes that pressure off. This year, the ask is for things you do together, not just unwrap. Distance has made siblings crave an excuse for a whole evening, not a five-minute exchange,” says Nupur.Price Box
- Rs 449 – Rs 699: Smaller rakhi hampers
- Rs 1,400 and upwards: Elaborate gourmet and premium hampers
- Rs 500 and Rs 3,500: Money typically spent on a hamper
Inputs by – Angela Jamindar and Yashaswi Kochar
