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4 ways to luxuriate rakhi this year

From alcohol-infused laddoos to rakhis made from precious stones, The Daily Guardian lists incredible gifts you can give to your sibling.

Rakhi is that one festival that brings families together, ensuring that the sister races across town, tying rakhi to all her brothers. However, in 2020, this festival too promises to be celebrated long distance. Making it even more imperative for siblings to make their gifts special, well thought out and unique. Not to forget luxurious. The Daily Guardian lists four incredible gifts to give your sibling. From alcohol-infused laddoos, to a pair of matched up pocket squares and cufflinks; from vegan rakhis to those made from precious stones, here’s your list of indulgences this rakhi. Not to forget elegant trinkets that a brother must gift his lil sis.

Tvisha: Trinket tales

Tvisha Jewlz, a brand born in Jaipur and retailed in Mumbai, as well as online, presents trinket tales—a collection of fantabulous, elegant ear studs made from the finest stones. Says designer Himanshu Khunteta, “In these pandemic times women are buying understated, elegant trinkets that they can wear with their mask. Or when they are chatting with their office online.” For them he has created a collection of sharp ear rings, studs and danglers in the finest Columbian emeralds, marquis diamonds, Burmese rubies and syndicated polkis. “So many brothers who can’t even meet their sisters are trying to compensate by buying them something special.” Are all the brothers listening?

Nihira: Luxurious sweets

Most Indians plead guilty of having a sweet tooth. Even the bard from Bengal, Sir Rabindranath Tagore, was accounted to have a weakness for sponge rossogullas in ‘Antaranga Rabindranath’. And sweets are integral to rakhi, not just to make the occasion more auspicious, but also to give a gift to brother dear. Fanning this indulgence and taking the craft of ‘mithai making’ to the level of art is Nihira, steered by the mother-daughter duo, Subha and Arshya Aggarwal. They make traditional mithai meet a patisserie experience. But what they are best known for are their alcohol-infused mithais! For Rakhi they propose sisters to gift their brothers the iconic motichoor laddoos that get kneaded in whiskey, champagne or red wine. The heady mix of luscious bourbon and grainy motichoor is rarest of rare. As is the arrival of the bubbly and the red wine in the realm of sweet making. Or their barfi that has a shot of campari added to it. What emerges out of the Nihira rakhi festive box this season are sweets and savouries, Indian in origin and global in their flavours and finish. The sweet toothed can discover panjiris packed with whole nuts and blueberries; barfis that combine khoya with the most flamboyant notes and rich flavours like cheese cake, blueberry, tiramisu and irreverent ingredients like bubble gum and tulsi.

Accessories from House of Badnore

Near ethereal collectibles, fashion knickknacks, travel jewels and art objects, House of Badnore presents a capsule collection of matching accessories to gift to the brother. While the inspiration is one, the interpretations are many: From buttons embellished with precious stones, to embroidered stoles with falcon motifs, photo frames polished with silver, silk kerchiefs matched with hand painted cufflinks, each of these ‘one of gifts’ are made for those with taste. “These are perfect gifts for the brother. Something he will actually enjoy and cherish,” says Archana Kumari, the creator of the brand. Last but not the least, how about tying a rakhi made from precious stones or even one that is strung with vegan leather. What can sound more uber luxe?

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