Celebrate December in Dhaka with handmade, local gift ideas

Christmas in Dhaka, I'm afraid, is a little lacklustre; there are no streetlights, no shop window decorations, and no jingle bells.

However, there is that mistletoe kind of love in the air, for which, there is no dearth of excitement among the people. 

December in Dhaka is full-on wedding season, which means biye bari'r kachchi, dancing to trending songs, late-night ice cream treats, and unlimited fun. 

That, my dear readers, is as close to Christmas as we can get. 

The streets are lit with fairy lights for the weddings, and the ambiance created is that of Tinker Bell, showering gold dust on the Dhaka sky. It is obvious to be all mushy and dreamy, especially for the ones tying the knot, but their wedding bells and magic, in an oblivious way, compensate for the lack of festive spirit in Dhaka. 

Dhaka cannot be a Scrooge when it comes to festival celebrations; its motto remains as solid as ever, "dhormo jar jar utshob shobar" (religion is individual; celebration is universal).
Now to the business of finding meaningful gifts, where do you go shopping this festival season? 

For me, it has been "Deshi First Deshi Always," and I know of a few outlets that bring you the perfect local gift items.

'Source,' a vibrant fair trade gift shop, is nestled in the heart of Mohammadpur, promoting ethical shopping and local craftsmanship. Source has a variety of Christmas decor trinkets, which are great for your tree, home, and even for your table spread. 

The best item they carry is a kantha, which is a light blanket made from upcycled sarees. Mismatched, this patchwork sort of soft blanket is a long-lost craft of Dhaka. Now, the market is flooded with Naskhi kantha or heavy indigo kantha stitch comforters. These, too, are great gifts, but are more on the pricy side of things. 

MiAA (Mishael Aziz Ahmad) is a luxury Bangladeshi craft brand, specialising in high-end artisanal clothing and home goods, naturally dyed in local indigo from Rangpur.

The brand's heavy quilt blankets and comforters are most sought after, and among its other chic and edgy crafts are its silk scarves, pocket squares, sarees, and bomber jackets, which are all to die for.

Photo: Star

While on the indigo topic, I must mention a unique gift item that would be the perfect surprise for enthusiastic or obsessive plantaholics: a natural and chemical‑free soil enhancer called Neel Pata Organic Fertilizer from Indigo Fields. Neel Pata Organic Fertilizer is enriched with essential natural nutrients to improve soil structure, enhance microbial activity, and promote long‑term soil fertility without compromising environmental safety.

Talking about plants reminded me of Dhaka Jungle. You can find aesthetically crafted plants in stylistically unique forms, textures, and colours that are considered living art pieces at Dhaka Jungle, an initiative of Graam Cha.

Dhaka Jungle adds to the natural sculptural form of the plants, like bird's nest kokedama or hanging earth, terrariums, bonsai, and assortments of local plants that blend well into modern interiors. These plants have a standout visual rustic charm and make a thoughtful Christmas or wedding gift.

These are a few mindful gift items found all around Dhaka and social media platforms, but if you want to stick to regular items, then Kumudini, a craft store, is a must-visit. The store maintains a low profile, but is full of beautiful gift items. Their block and hand-stitched cotton sarees are hard to beat, just like their exclusive jamdanis and one-of-a-kind panjabi selection.

Photo: Star

Another beautiful store is Chondon, which has recently concentrated on its ready-to-wear signature blouses in Benarosi patchwork, satin embroidered, elegant cuts, and styles. This is an expensive gift but a very considerate one, though. You can pair the bespoke blouses with as many combinations as you want, making it a versatile ensemble that is worth its price tag.

This festive season, celebrate Dhaka's true spirit by gifting deshi and exploring its hidden, cute little craft stores.