The Hindu Metroplus , The gifts you bear
Deepavali,the festival of lights is celebrated with such joy and togetherness. It is a time of the year when families take time out of their daily routine to visit loved ones bearing special gifts.
Festival gifts can vary from traditional home made sweets to carefully chosen exotic delicacies. Let’s take a look at the many gifting options available in Coimbatore which are not just special but a tad bit more unusual.
1.Coco Tier
While managing her coconut farm at her ancestral village,Valavadi, Niranjani Ramanathan decided to try some value additions to her farm. Thus was born her brand Coco Tier (coconut tree in French) to signify the importance of the coconut tree which is life sustaining in all aspects.
She is passionate about safe guarding her inheritance while helping uplift the lives of her farm hands. She is committed to following sustainable agricultural practices and manufactures this natural sugar in accordance with stringent quality standards.Coco Tier manufactures the sugar by extracting the theluvu from the coconut blossoms and follows traditional methods with no additives or preservatives.
Their Diwali festive hamper comprises of a delectable range of products that can be mixed and matched to suit individual preferences. A 250 gms pack of coconut sugar , a bottle of sukku kaapi (spiced coffee mix) , a jar of vegan chocolate chip cookie mix and recipe for the same and a pack of ready to eat chocolate chip cookies. All of these products are blended only with coconut sugar. No refined sugar is used . All items are readily available to be packaged in a jute bag or in paper bags .The price range for the same is between Rs.400 – Rs.550 per hamper based on the items chosen.
Contact: cocotierfoods@gmail.com ,9943603577
Where: 12, BR Nagar, Trichy Road, (near Alvernia School),Coimbatore
2.Wild Wing Trust
Saravanan Chandrashekhar is a nature enthusiast and has been actively working with youth groups to safe guard the eco system,all through his growing up years.This led to him founding the Wild Wing Trust in 2009 with the main aim of conservation in all areas of the environment.
His plant nursery is home to many species of native breeds that will not only maintain an ecological balance but will also help to convert parched landforms into thriving spaces of biodiversity.
Of late he has included a number of medicinal plants to his growing list of saplings and is eager to educate those interested on how to reap the benefits of this wealth of green that is available at our disposal.
Since Diwali is all about wishing good health and prosperity to all, Wild Wing Trust has put together a hamper comprising of anywhere between 3- 5 medicinal plants that grow easily in all conditions and spaces. The list contains lemon grass, karpooravalli, thuthuvalai, adathodai and marudhani with information relating to their usage and health benefits.All of these not only keep illnesses at bay but are great for cooking as well.
The hamper starts at a cost of Rs.150 upwards based on additions like planter pot, coir pith,manure etc
Contact: wildwingtrust@gmail.com
Phone: 94888 50429
Where: 277/1A , Innovspace Building, Kalapatti,Coimbatore
3.Leisure Planter
Leisure Planter is a trading company operating out of scenic Coonoor, situated in The Nilgiris. Started by Sujeeth Mathew , Anand and Veena, their vision is to offer an experience to the consumer which not only deviates from the usual but also gives an idea into products sourced from different plantations,mostly in the hills.
Their Diwali hamper contains a selection of tea ,filter coffee, hand crafted chocolates, organic herbs that are shade dried to retain maximum flavour and strawberry conserve.The intention is to make available premium products which appeal to those wanting to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Those interested can choose from teas that vary from dark, herbal and hand blended to the best of quality white and green teas. The filter coffee has a unique blend of Robusta and Peaberry with a bit of added chicory.The finest of cacao beans along with cocoa butter is what is used to make their range of dark chocolates. The strawberries for the conserve are cultivated by them in a natural manner.
Leisure planter is open to customising Diwali orders according to consumer preferences. They do however have a minimum order requirement depending on the items chosen.The hampers start from Rs.200 upwards.
Price: ₹200 onwards
Where: Westbury Road, Ooty, The Nilgiris ;Baker’s Junction, Bedford, Coonoor.
Contact : 9047042975 ,9843196009
4.Vama
The name Vama meaning woman is also synonymous with ‘beautiful’. When Shanthini Choudhary started this store,it was mainly to nurture craft and use the part proceeds from it to educate those less fortunate not only in academics but to also teach women the finer nuances of craft.
She is adept at a variety of paper crafts comprising of quilling,folding, stamping and has successfully provided employment for several women in the process.While travelling within the country and abroad she has attended many workshops featuring a multitude of crafts using sustainable materials like jute, hand made paper and fabric. Along with her friend Revathi Kannan ,who keeps an eye on the day to day workings ,the duo have helped women find a sustainable source of income while working out of home.
They showcase vibrant sets that contain every day utilities like wallets, mobile phone pouches, coin purses and potlis.For Diwali,they have a wide collection of the same in different prints and bright colours to suit varied budgets. Wooden boxes with hand quilled paper flowers contain pretty candles which will add festive illumination to any home .Their prices start from Rs.350 upwards
Contact : vamagifts@gmail.com , 9894040571
Where: Jampala House, 1 Thirugnanasambandham Road, Race Course Road,Coimbatore
5.Monsoon Harvest
By introducing a selection of millet based muesli, Monsoon Harvest has brought about a delicious nutritional option for quick breakfasts.
Owners Shrivardhan and Uma are both fitness enthusiasts and advocate healthy eating habits.Their brand has gained popularity due to a growing clientele of satisfied customers who in turn have provided the right feedback that is necessary to add new flavours and products.
Along with introducing a new range of millets flavoured with figs, dark chocolate(sourced locally) and orange,they have also come out with a selection of buttermilk and millet crackers. Packaged in attractive re-usable tins that showcase prints of each type of ingredient used-these make for terrific food gifts.
For their Diwali hamper, they have chosen to package their wares in painted paper bags made by the children at Amaze Charitable Trust (centre for autism) during art therapy class.With every purchase of this hamper, each uniquely coloured bag will serve as a reminder of those special ones who have to face the challenge of being autistic.The hampers are priced at Rs.250 (1 pack toasted millet muesli and 1 tin of crackers) and Rs.500 (2 packs of toasted millet muesli and 2 tins of crackers)
Contact: 8220557700 or email : sathees@greenlightfoods.com
Where: 1605, Trichy Road,Coimbatore
6.The Upper Room
A textile designer by profession ,Sharon worked with export houses before starting her work as a freelancer. Her passion for fabrics, colours and textures led her to starting a retail outlet at home.Having started working out of a spare room on the first floor ,she thought it apt to name her space ’The Upper Room’
While working alongside patterns and weaves, her interests grew to include hand craft and she added crocheted coasters, lace trimmed linen,hand made fairy lights,quilted pot holders ,and many other knick knacks to her growing selection. She derives great satisfaction from stocking products made by talented home makers and crafts persons who find little leisure to sell out of their own homes.
This Diwali step into her store and be spoilt for choice at the colourful array of products she has on offer to create your own special festive hamper. Brightly patterned table runners with matching napkins, festive place mats woven with a bit of glitter, bread baskets with tea napkins, oven mitts ;the list goes on. Prices range from Rs.400 upwards
Contact: 9840996122
Where: No.19, New Damu Nagar, Pappanaickenpalayam,Coimbatore
7.Anjana Tatva
Anjana Pipada Malani introduces her new range of organic delicacies called Pancha Mahabuta. These sweets which are shaped like ladoos come in an array of colours due to the ingredients that are used which range from dried fruits and nuts to rose petals and cocoa.
These are available especially for the festive season in fine handwoven baskets and containers prettily decorated by Anjana.These sweets are made in accordance with the ayurvedic philosophy that talks about the different elements in food that contribute to overall health and well being.
The Pancha Mahabuta ladoos offer a taste experience that is very unique in terms of essence, texture,digestive properties and design appeal.They are made from secret combinations that include seed and leaf mixtures along with natural sweeteners like gulkand, honey, dates and figs. No refined sugar is used.
Anjana claims that these sweets can be classified as superfoods owing to the nature of the ingredients and the manner in which they have been especially combined.
They are available in packs of 250gms, 500gms and 1 kg and cost Rs.500, Rs.1000 and Rs.1800 respectively.
For orders Whatsapp only : 9487569433
Where: 7, Raja Nagar 2nd Street, Near Naveen Hospital, Sowripalayam,Coimbatore
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