We don’t need a reason to show our love to our loved ones. But we surely do need a reason to give them a gift. With Rakhshabandhan around the corner, you must be getting down to business selecting the perfect gift for your (im)perfect siblings.
Whether bhai or behen, everyone deserves extra love on this day and hence we have curated a short list of homegrown brands for you to consider. It is good to boost a small business by showing them some love and buying from them, and that is what we encourage you to do this Rakhi.
1. World’s first zero-waste, eco-friendly, sustainable chocolate bar!
Image credit: Kocoatrait
We all love chocolate, but the exploitation of land, labour, and machinery to get to the level of mass production has exhausted this industry. Yet, chocolate remains our all-time favourite sweet. So why not choose an Indian brand which has made its mark as the world’s first zero-waste, eco/planet-friendly (AKA plastic and paper-free), sustainable, and vegan Bean-to-Bar chocolate?
Kocoatrait’s motto is simple – We are trying to save the planet, one chocolate bar at a time. In 2019 alone, Kocoatrait has helped prevent 50 Kgs of single-use chocolate wrappers from polluting landfills. Their wrappings are made from up-cycled cocoa husks.
Image credit: Kocoatrait
Choose from a variety of 12 chocolates for your siblings and give them a meaningful gift to remember this Rakhi – from Irish Coffee to Jaggery and Lavender, you will be spoiled for choice.
Buy here.
2. A plantable Rakhi
Image credit: 21Fools
Gifting a plant is more than just a present. It is about giving the other person responsibility for the growth of a seed that will give them more than they can give to it. A company called 21Fools makes sustainable products from materials like seed paper, reclaimed wood, handspun cotton yarn, and cork cloth. This company is selling the best alternative to your fancy rakhis – plantable Rakhis!
They have made almost 4 million various sustainable products from their workshop in Sanganer, Jaipur. In fact, for the festival of Rakshabandhan, they have collaborated with farmers and artisans from Paradsinga, Sausar Tehsil of Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, and Roopbas, Sanganer, Rajasthan to make Rakhis that grow into a plant.
Image credit: 21Fools
The collection has been named Rohi which means ‘seed’ in Sanskrit. There are three kinds of Rakhi boxes available, which are plantable rakhis made from naturally dyed, hand spun, organic cotton yarn and embedded with seeds, plantable rakhis made from seed paper, and plantable rakhis + handcrafted cotton masks.
Buy here.
3. Desi coffee for desi coffee lovers
Image credit: Sleepy Owl
Starbucks is great but have you ever had coffee made and sold solely in India? Well, there is one and it is slowly gaining popularity across the country – Sleepy Owl Coffee.
Don’t we all love a classic story about people ditching their regular jobs to find their passion and this exactly how Sleepy Owl came to be. The brand uses Grade-A awarded 100% Arabica Coffee that only a top few beans are able to achieve. Grown above 5300 ft in the southern part of India, and sourced directly from farms, their plantation coffee is some of the best around.
Image credit: Sleepy Owl
Gift your caffeine-loving sibling a touch of local goodness with the wide range of goodies available; from their sustainable packs to cold and hot brews, and brew boxes and ready-to-go bottles.
Buy here.
4. A simple saree can do wonders
Image credit: Suta
Suta sarees are synonymous with comfort and everyday wear. Started by Sujata and Taniya (Su and Ta), the brand aims to spread love and joy through apparel. Their sarees and blouse designs are soothing and fashionable at the same time.
A simple gift of a mulmul saree this year will not only be a mature choice but one which your sibling will remember and thank you for till Rakhi comes again next year.
Image credit: Suta
Choose from their various designs and promote this female-run, Indian brand for it to reach the heights it deserves.
Buy here.
5. Nutrition and well-being through hemp
Image credit: BOHECO Life
If you’re a believer and not someone who sees things through the lens of black and white, then this brand is going to be of help. BOHECO Life brings to fife Himalayan Hemp Nutrition, and CannaReleaf. The brand makes the most of Hemp Hearts, Hemp Seed Oil, and Hemp Protein Powder, bringing them into everyday use.
The brand is popular for pain relief oils and serums for arthritis and joint pain, hemp seed oil, soap bars, shampoos, beard oil, powders – all containing cannabinoids.
Image credit: BOHECO Life
If you tie a Rakhi to your doggos then they have a gift for them as well: hemp seed oil sprays for dogs (and cats) and hemp healing balm.
Buy here.
6. Homegrown beauty brand for the win
Image credit: FAE Beauty
FAE Beauty is slowly but steadily making its mark in the Indian market as an inclusive and equal beauty brand for all.
Their marketing is simple; there are no gender stereotypes, no focusing on one single skin tone and other social constructs. FAE aims to offer quality makeup products that are paraben-free, hypoallergenic, vegan, food-grade, and cruelty-free.
Image credit: FAE Beauty
FAE lipsticks are taking social media by storm for their buildability and your sibling is going to love this super popular and thoughtful gift this Rakhi.
Buy here.
Lead Image credit: Kai Po Che
