Haldi Kumkum Gifting Ideas

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Makar Sankranti is known to us Indians. How many of us know about ‘Haldi Kumkum’?

For married ladies, Haldi Kumkum is not just a social occasion, but a special one. It is a gathering in India in which married women exchange two things – haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion powder). Kumkum as you know is made from saffron or dry turmeric powder mixed with lemon. While haldi is yellow in color, kumkum has a red color and is a sign of respect in Indian cultures.

So why do married women use haldi kumkum? It is a symbol of their married status and wishing for their husbands’ long lives.

Is that all about haldi kumkum?

No. The beauty of this occasion also lies in haldi kumkum gift ideas. There is so much fun-n-tradition involved in makar sankranti haldi kumkum gift ideas, haldi kumkum return gift ideas, haldi kumkum packing ideas, haldi kumkum box etc. that it is a day reserved for married ladies (in much the same way as Karva Chauth).

The Haldi Kumkum Ceremony

You must be curious to know – is haldi kumkum a national festival?

Well, the haldi kumkum ceremony is extremely popular in the following states – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa. Married ladies invite their friends and relatives over. The hostess (married lady, of course) distributes sweets, bangles, flowers, betel leaves, nuts, coconuts and small novelties. Whoa! So many things to receive.

What is ‘BLACK’ doing in haldi kumkum?

Wearing black is a tradition during makar sankranti. So a black saree is an integral part of haldi kumkum.

Team the black saree with temple jewlery and you will look gorgeous. That’s not all. Apply henna on hands, wear green bangles (also known as chuda), and nath (the maharashtrian nose ring). All these make the haldi kumkum ceremony complete in every way (besides adding the customary religious angle to it).

Use Of ‘Pots’ In Haldi Kumkum

Heard of small mud pots called ‘sugad’ (in Marathi language)?

Turmeric powder and vermilion is applied on the pots and a thread is tied around them. Then these pots are filled with carrots, sesame seeds with jaggery, jujube fruits, sugarcane pieces, pods, cotton, chickpeas, vermilion, turmeric etc. Five pots are made to rest on a wooden seat. After which, rangoli is drawn around the seat and worshipped. Out of these five pots, three are gifted to married women, one is offered to the Tulsi plant and one is reserved.

Use Of ‘SESAME’ In Haldi Kumkum

Just like haldi and kumkum make the makar sankranti haldi kumkum gift ideas complete, so does the sesame.

During the makar sankranti festival, maximum use of sesame seeds is made.

Gift Ideas For Haldi Kumkum

It goes without saying that haldi and kumkum are the first two things you need in makar sankranti haldi kumkum gift ideas.

The other things that you need are as follows –

• A blouse piece of a sari. If you don’t have it, then choose a simple necklace, or pendant or an idol.

• Fruits (Apples, bananas, and coconuts).

• A leaf called ‘vettal’.

• Simple gift bags.

• Snacks (ladoos, moong dal fritters, and sweets).

• And a haldi-kumkum bouquet

Make a gift bag for each guest. In each bag, put a coconut, the blouse piece or gift, a fruit and two leaves.

As for the HALDI-KUMKUM BOUQUET and haldi kumkum gift ideas, this is how you can go about it.

Materials Needed:

• Turmeric

• Vermillion

• Aluminium Foil

• Plastic sheets (transparent)

• Packing tape

• Green paper (it should not be very soft)

• Pencil

• Scissors

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Procedure:

1. Cut the plastic wrap sheets into small squares. They should be good enough to accommodate 1 tbsp haldi or kumkum in the center. Then fold it along neatly.

2. Take half of haldi and place it in the center of the fresh wrap square. Fold the square in such a way that the haldi takes the bouquet shape.

3. Pack it tight using the packing tape.

4. Repeat the same step for kumkum as well.

5. For leaves, take Green paper. Cut it on the sides and draw the shape of a leaf.

6. Make a bunch of haldi, kumkum and 2 leaves.

7. Firm it up with a tape.

8. Cut a small square of aluminium foil and fold it to make a cone.

9. Put the haldi, kumkum and leaves in the cone forming a bouquet.

10. Your haldi-kumkum bouquet is ready to be given as haldi kumkum gifts for ladies.

Preparing For Haldi Kumkum Ceremony

Here we go:

1. In two small silver bowls, put the haldi and kumkum respectively. Add few drops of water in each, to turn them into a paste.

2. Put these bowls in a tray and keep them ready for your guests.

3. Before the ceremony starts, offer haldi and kumkum to a deity.

4. As guests walk in, offer them the haldi-kumkum plate so that they can apply the kumkum on their head and the haldi on their throat.

5. Ask them to be seated.

6. Once everyone has arrived, lay out the snacks for the guests.

7. Before your guests leave, have them face the north side. Put the gifts on the tray and present it to them. The haldi-kumkum ceremony is now over.

Hope you found this blog on haldi kumkum and haldi kumkum gift ideas interesting and exciting. Do share it with your friends and family members. And let us know of more inputs on haldi kumkum (if any) in the comments below.