With Raksha Bandhan just a couple of days away, siblings are busy checking the best deals and offers both online and offline to impress one another with surprise treats.
While several makeshift stalls have come up to meet the demand, online portals such as Ferns n Petals and Rakhi Bazaar have come up with combo packs to pep up the festival mood.
Along with ornately designed rakhis , the combo packs include potli-wrapped Ganesh idol, a box of chocolates, a small pack of roli-chawal (sindoor-rice grains), Lumba rakhi sets, a coffee mug, an attractive container brimming with assorted dry fruits and sweet packets.
For those who want to convey a special message to their beloved siblings, online retailer Amazon offers thoughtfully crafted scroll greeting cards. With many hard pressed for time, the online options come in handy for the working women. “Apart from saving time, online retailers offer myriad choices to pick up one’s favourite stuff. All I need to do is spend a few minutes to place the order. This year, I ordered for a combo pack comprising a coffee mug, a lovely greeting card and chocolates. These goodies along with a perfume bottle are sure enough to bring a smile on my brother’s face who is very special to me,” says V. Manju Latha, who works in a private organisation.
Proprietor of Chocolate Kraft Club N.B. Devi says there is a growing demand for personalised gift-wrapping for the occasion as many are keen on presenting goodies in an innovative way.
Department of Posts launched specially-designed envelopes for Rakhi last month. “The response for these covers is very encouraging as quick delivery was ensured. Within a short span of time, over 970 covers have been sold in various post offices across the city,” says M. Hari Prasad Sarma, Senior Superintendent of Post Office, Visakhapatnam.
Catering to the customised needs of the customers, home-based entrepreneurs have come up with varied formats of rakhis . “Other than the traditional rakhis , there is a huge demand for lumba bracelets this season. These accessories are popular among Marwari community as they are gifted to bhabhis (sisters-in-law) during Raksha Bandhan,” says M. Yegna Priya of Gnapika Arts and Crafts.
