Turn sibling rivalry into revelry this Raksha Bandhan!
This year, Rakhi falls on a Sunday (Aug 22, 2021)! If you’re frantically browsing Instagram for gifting ideas for your sister and still don’t know what to get, we at Man’s Life are here to help! From stationery, clothes and makeup to gadgets and jewellery—we’ve curated a gifting guide that has everything for everyone.
You may trouble each other to death, but the bond between a brother and sister is worth celebrating at every chance you get! After all, you want only the best for your sibling! Take your pick….
1. COOL STATIONERY
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Most women have a thing for notepads, soft boards and other cute stationery. Snaggletooth makes nature-inspired merchandise—with wildlife messages, animal drawings with puns, softboards and covers with bold, bright colours. The founder, Sejal Mehta, is a journalist who has spent almost two decades navigating forests, oceans, and cities: Writing about the wilderness around us! If you have a sister who loves to scribble or doodle or is big on her to-do lists; this is the ideal gift for her! Notepads, mugs, and softboards (custom sizes) are all up for grabs as Raksha Bandhan specials.
Available at: https://sejalmehta.stores.instamojo.com/
2. BEAUTY SHEET MASKS
Sheet masks are a big deal now. From IG influencers to stars, everyone can be seen using it with #SelfcareSunday! What if you could get your sister one designed by a beauty expert with over 20 years of experience? Simply Nam is a 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free brand founded by celebrity makeup expert Namrata Soni. The unisex Biocellulose Three Layer Sheet Mask is said to provide instant hydration and glow; rejuvenating the skin from within. This can be your Sunday bro-sis bonding routine! She’ll be nice to you for a few months or who knows, maybe, until next Rakhi?
Available at: www.simplynam.com and Sephora India
3. STYLISH SHADES
A pair of sunglasses can elevate even the most basic of outfits! If your sis is fashion-savvy, this will be the gift that can swing her vote in your favour for any future endeavours (wink, wink)! State Street, the latest from Ray-Ban is the cooler, updated version of a classic wayfarer. It’s chic and modern, and will earn you major brownie points! If your behen prefers a retro look, the trending cat-eye pair from Vogue Eyewear is pretty rad too!
Available at: Sunglass Huts across India and the respective online stores of the brands
4. STATEMENT SANDALS
Can sandals be stylish? Yes, if you know how to pick the right pair! If you have the money to spend, surprise your sister with BIRKENSTOCK sandals. Their latest capsule collection with the New York fashion brand, Proenza Schouler is nothing like your regular footwear. For this urban, unisex and utilitarian collection, the German Brand replaces their signature buckle—for hook-and-loop fastened straps—for on-the-move practicality and everyday style. Fashion and functionality are a winning combo, if you ask us!
Available at: www.birkenstock.in
5. SKIN-CARE DELIGHTS
This one’s a sure-shot winner! Brands like Forest Essentials have curated gift boxes for the occasion of Rakhi such as the Evening Ritual Box—which comes with six Ayurvedic skin-care must-haves—that purify, tone and refresh the skin, and prepare it to revitalise itself at bedtime! The exquisite Verbena range from L’OCCITANE will make for a great senorial treat as well! Sisters love being pampered, and a skin-care kit with essentials is perfect for doing just that! They have some great deals and complimentary gifts for the festive season too!
Available at: www.forestessentialsindia.com, www.in.loccitane.com or at their physical stores.
6. WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
If your sibling loves to dress up and serve lewks, a few timeless pieces for her wardrobe will be the ideal gift! Dresses, skirts, or tees—the choices are endless. Pleated skirts from UNIQLO are ideal for someone who likes to look effortlessly well-put together! A polka-dot printed, asymmetric dress from VERO MODA is a great option too. If you’re not too sure about her likes and dislikes, just get her a gift card or buy something that can be exchanged, just in case!
Available at: Online and offline stores
7. MAKEUP HAMPERS
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This is a little difficult to get right. Take your mom’s help to figure out what your sister likes in terms of makeup. From basic to elaborate—your options are infinite! Eyeshadow palettes and kohl/kajal are safe bets. M.A.C Cosmetics, Sephora India, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Colorbar, and Lakmé are a few brands you could check out!
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Available at: Online and offline stores of the respective brands
8. LOW-CAL TREATS
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If your sibling is a fitness freak, this is for them! Put together a hamper with a juice cleanse, healthy snacks like roasted makhana, ragi chips and low-calorie ice cream! Yes, you read right! Each tub of NOTO-Ice Cream That Loves You Back claims to have only 75-95 calories, 3 grams of fat, 75 per cent less sugar than regular ice creams—twice as much protein than regular ice creams, and a healthy helping of probiotic fibres that are good for your gut! Dessert binge-fest without guilt guaranteed!
9. SMARTWATCH
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For the sister who’s always counting steps or checking her notifications! A timepiece like the Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch or the Apple Watch will do these and more! You can choose colours or multiple straps as well.
Available at: Online and offline stores of the respective brands
10. JEWELLERY
Charm bracelets, personalised necklaces, earrings—if you have a trinket-loving sister, jewellery is a fantastic gift. From gold, platinum daily wear pieces from brands like Platinum Evara or fashion jewellery from Amrapali Tribe and so on—there are baubles to suit every kind of budget!
11. HAIRSTYLING TOOLS
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Why does your sister need hairstyling tools? To smoothen, curl or make waves! If you’ve been saving up to buy something super cool for your sister this Rakhi or for any other occasion for that matter—go for the Dyson AirWrap Styler. The best bet is that it does all the styling with air rather than heat, so your sibling will end up with great, styled hair sans damage! With six attachments, this is the ultimate styling tool for all her hair care needs! Don’t think twice on this one! You can even get one in easy, no-cost monthly instalments!
Available at: www.dyson.in; www.nykaa.com
12. GIFT TREES
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If your sister’s an eco-warrior and feels passionate about the environment and our home planet like Greta Thunberg, surprise by planting trees in her name. Platforms like Grow Trees, let you gift trees for celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, festivities or pretty much any special occasion—and give you certificates stating the same. You can even track their growth.
Available at: www.grow-trees.com
If you’re tired of gifting mithai, chocolates or cash each year, this list of thoughtful gifts is guaranteed to make you her favourite brother/sibling!
[Header Image Credit: Shutterstock]
Eva Pavithran
Vertical Head - Lifestyle