Keju by Carmen’s miniature Raya Kampung House opens to reveal five compartments filled with sweet and savoury snacks (Photo: Keju by Carmen)
This Raya, the streets may be quieter and the footfall in physical boutiques a little weaker. But a small token to our family and friends — no matter where they are — can bring some cheer and hope to our upheaved lives. Look through our compact list of gift sets that will either delight or give back to underserved communities that need our attention most.
Cocova
It can feel a little dull to give the people on your list yet another generic hamper basket just because we’re celebrating a festival. Include a kind action, be it for the community or the environment, when you select a gift for your loved ones this year. Cocova’s Salam Gift Box, which includes goodies such as chocolate cranberry cookies, dark chocolate buttons and dark chocolate coated hazelnuts, is wrapped in batik cloth that can be reused as a table runner. The set also comes with matching fabric coasters, all lovingly handsewn by Sham, a single mother with an autistic son.
Order here or call 010 285 5183. RM89. Enjoy 5% off when you pre-order before Apr 20.
Oh Cha Matcha
To conjure up the dream home this Raya, there’s one go-to shortcut that never seems to fail: a good scented candle. If you’d like your living room to smell like a bed of geranium roses when the family visits, Oh Cha Matcha’s Wellness Box comes with a hand-poured Matcha Latte Geranium Rose Candle made with soy wax and mind-soothing Geranium essential oil. Edible offerings include two Bunga Kantan, Rose & Matcha bottled drinks and a box of kurma dates coated with 70.5% Callebaut Belgian Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt. If you intend this as a gift for your loved ones, the attached handwritten greeting card lends a thoughtful and personal touch.
Message Oh Cha Matcha here or email [email protected] to purchase. Early bird price, RM145. Collection starts Apr 19.
Dignity
If you’re selecting something off someone’s wishlist or just giving out a gift card this year, surprise your recipient with a slew of meaningful items that benefit a social enterprise too. Together with Transformational Enterprises, Dignity is offering nasi kerabu family meals, cookie sets and sampul duit raya — handsewn by refugee mothers and young women — that also makes a style statement. The multi-purpose Classic Pandan Sampul Duit Raya (available in a set of five for RM45) can be also used as a purse or phone pouch.
Shop here. Family meal for 4-5 pax, RM130; gift a meal from RM75.
Keju by Carmen
Taking rumah terbuka quite literally, Keju by Carmen’s miniature Raya Kampung House (pictured) opens to reveal five compartments filled with sweet and savoury snacks. Start from the top by removing the panels on the roof. Inside, you will find a box of Turkish delight, cotton candy, a jar of basil pesto and two bottles of Tanamera hand sanitisers — all individually wrapped in reusable batik cloth. At the back of the house, pull out a drawer containing Keju’s signature cheese platter, which includes brie, an assortment of berries, kurma, brownies, pretzels and chocolates. Last but not least, don’t forget to make use of the Batu Seremban pieces on the porch and challenge your loved ones to a nostalgic game.
RM450. Delivery date from Apr 12-May 16. Whatsapp 012 605 5837 to order. See more here.
Batik Boutique
Thinking about sending a thoughtful gift to family and friends that are at a distance? Batik Boutique can ship their Cahaya Raya gift sets all across Malaysia and even worldwide. These gift sets have been curated in collaboration with The Skinny Bakers, a woman-run cookie company, Rhymba Hills, a local herbal infusion specialist and Daily Sparks, a company that does picnic set rentals. The boxes contain a variety of Raya items and snacks including batik table runners and coasters, crispy prawn rolls, pandan gula melaka cookies and an assortment of tea bags. Each box comes with complimentary duit raya packets and a picnic rental voucher from Daily Sparks. Best of all, proceeds go towards supporting local batik artisans and seamstresses from low-income communities.
3, Jalan 26/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, KL. RM189-279. Order here.
