SHAI 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
Looking to shop more thoughtfully this holiday season? We've curated a list of SHAI-approved pieces that are sure to delight your loved ones. As always, our picks embody three major attributes: quality, beauty, and creativity.
1) The crowd pleaser
Our Inshadycompany Bandhani Caps are loved by all. The velcro strap allows for a secure, adjustable fit while the traditional tie-dye print adds fun, culture, and character. Choose from our 5 different color options.
Shop here: https://shaicollective.com/collections/hats
2) Self-care is sacred
We're all spending a lot of extra time indoors this season, so a gift that adds a bit of warmth and joy to the home will be appreciated. Forego the basic scents this season in favor of these out of the box finds that evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Scrumptious Wicks candles are made with vegan soy/coconut wax, and hand-poured in small batches. We're most intrigued by the Indian monsoon, a luscious dewy, green aroma that is interlaced with woody and musky undertones.
Shop here: https://scrumptious-wicks.myshopify.com/collections/year-round-scents/products/indian-monsoon
Kishmish aims to preserve the charms of South Asian culture by offering items that speak to the South Asian American community. We burned their Gulab candle at our first-ever pop up event back in March, and a friend loved it so much that we told her to take it home with her after the event! We can't explain it, but that South Asian rose scent just hits different. The candles are 100% soy wax, hand-poured in San Francisco.
Shop here: https://shopkishmish.com/collections/candles/products/gulabrosecandle
3) For the one who loves to cook
The Diaspora Co Masala Dabba is a luxurious spice storage solution that will last a lifetime. It's crafted from brass and hand-spun in Bangalore. You can even get it custom-engraved for a personalized touch! Note, these are available for pre-order only and because the craft processes takes time, these will not arrive in time for Christmas. Still worth it for a belayed holiday gift, in our opinion.
Shop here: https://www.diasporaco.com/products/masala-dabba
4) A hand-written card is always cherished
Elevate your holiday card-giving game with our gorgeous Paisley Reflection Kagzi Handmade Paper Cards. Not only are these utterly beautiful, but they also are incredibly meaningful as well; your purchase of these cards helps to preserve a centuries-old artisan technique, and the brand also donates a portion of the proceeds to education initiatives in Mumbai. Plus, the card set comes with envelope sticker seals that help educate your loved ones on the beautiful Kagzi craft.
5) The new normal
If you do have to leave the house, do it with style (and support a hand embroidery craft in the process)! Our Yoshita Couture Chikankari Face Masks come in a unique variety of colors and are embellished with Mukaish work, which gives them a festive sparkle. (*Note, currently sold out but restocking in just a few days).
Shop here: https://shaicollective.com/collections/face-masks
6) For the art lover in your life
Earlier this month, we introduced the very first interview in our SHAIcon series with Fiza Pirani, journalist, mental health advocate, and artist behind Doodles by Fiza. She paints gouche and watercolor - she sells her original works and prints, and also accepts custom requests which would make for a such a special gift! We're of course partial to her painting of our Green Inshadycompany Bandhani Cap, which is available to purchase in print form.
Shop here: https://doodlesbyfiza.com/collections/prints/products/bandhani-love
Reena is an oil painting artist that incorporates activism into her work. She has a really beautiful technique to painting metallics without necessarily using metallic paint, and we're in love with the way her paintings capture tradition and evoke emotion.
Shop here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/reenapaints/explore?page=1&sortOrder=recent
7) The gift that doubles as a housewarming present
Have a friend who recently moved into a new place, but haven't got around to sending that housewarming gift yet? We've got you covered with beautiful and meaningful statement pillows that will be sure to impress.
These Alamwar decorative pillows are hand-embroidered by Banjara tribal women using traditional techniques and embellishments. Not only are these strikingly gorgeous, but your purchase helps preserve important tribal traditions that are at risk of dying out.
Shop here: https://shaicollective.com/collections/pillows/products/banjara-mirrored-ina-square-pillow-1
Filling Spaces is a Home & Lifestyle brand run by sisters Deepali and Nanu. The brand highlights the beautiful art of block printing, featuring unique prints that are intricate, yet subtle and sophisticated. We fell in love with their poufs and dream of lounging on one with a good book and a strong mug of chai.
8) Stocking Stuffers
Our Lavender & Antique Gold Banarasi Brocade Scrunchies are the prettiest little budget-friendly giftables (they've been quite popular so far with our customers this holiday season). Crafted from a handwoven textile, they are lightweight, yet offer a rich look. To stitch these scrunchies, we partnered with Crafty Hands, a US-based organization that helps teach new skills to and employs women impacted by Covid-related job loss, so your purchase means that much more.
Shop here: https://shaicollective.com/collections/scrunchies
The recently opened, NYC-based cafe, Kolkata Chai Co, pivoted to offering shippable teas and giftables when the pandemic hit. Their loyal community rallied behind them, and we love to see it. Now talk about luxurious - they offer a special rose masala chai blend that can be brewed from the comfort of home. This is definitely on our own holiday wish list!
Shop here: https://kolkatachai.co/shop/diy-chai-kit-rose
Inspired by the palaces of India, our Pink City & Sheesh Mahal mirrored headbands were instantly loved. They feature beautiful contrast embroidery, mirrorwork, and beadwork, and are perfect for an elevated stocking stuffer for the headband fans in your life.
Shop here: https://shaicollective.com/collections/headbands
9) Something Sexy
Indian inspired lingerie. Yes, it exists. Yes, it's stunning. Sets are customizable and made to measure, and it takes about 1-2 weeks from the date of purchase for your set to be completed. TKC Designs Inc is a Vancouver-based brand and we love the creative risks the designer takes with texture and color.
Shop here: https://www.tkcdesigninc.com/product-page/soft-hydrangea-set
10) The splurge
Sometimes you just gotta treat yo'self. Life is short. Go big or go home (they say that like home is a bad thing...totally fine if you want to go home lol). If you do want to invest, invest in the best. We can't say enough great things about our Parekh Bugbee scarves, and the Red Silkhorse Signature Twill Silk Scarf is a complete show stopper, and an heirloom quality piece you can pass down to your grandchildren. This is literally wearable art, featuring innovative representations of horses from ancient Hindu scripture and also 19th & 20th century illustrations of horses from North America and Europe - the perfect blend of East and West. Not only that, but your purchase helps preserve hand silk screen printing, a disappearing craft from the textile world.
Shop here: https://shaicollective.com/collections/scarves/products/red-silkhorse-scarf
What's on your wish list? Share in the comments below because we could all use some inspiration this year!