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All You Need to Know About Shagun Envelopes
Shagun envelopes are beautiful gift wrappers for cash gifts. These are very characteristic of Indian traditional ceremonies and functions - you will often find elderly ladies and men carrying a colourful paper envelope in their hands containing cash gifts for their relatives. This trend has been going on since long and today, shagun envelopes have seen quite a transformation in terms of design and decoration, but the essence and motive behind this small cover remains the same.
Significance
Normally given away during auspicious occasion in India, Shagun envelopes convey love and blessings in cash given by loving family members and friends during auspicious occasions. These are often given to married daughters who come to visit their relatives after their marriage. While some still believe in gifting useful items and sweets, others prefer giving cash believing that the recipient can buy whatever they want. Shagun envelopes are more common in Indian traditional functions and ceremonies because the one who gifts believes it is often easy and practical to give cash gifts rather than spending on something the recipient will not like. But you obviously cannot hand away cash to someone just like that! So a shagun envelope came into existence to hold the cash gift securely and act as gift wrappers.
Staple in Indian Weddings
A shagun envelope plays an important part in Indian weddings. Even when you insist of receiving ‘blessings only’ from your family members, most of them arrive with a shagun envelope in their hands, which they lovingly thrust into your hands. The cash amount differs from a personal perspective and one’s budget, but the motive behind it is to ‘begin a new life’. Right from the bride and groom’s parents to the attendees in the function, everyone gives cash gifts to the new couple to bless them.
Why Do Shagun Envelopes Carry a One Rupee Coin?
You might have noticed that often a shagun envelope carries a one rupee coin either inside or sometimes it is even stuck on the outside with a cello tape. You might be wondering what the significance of this one rupee coin is. The humble one rupee always shared a space with bigger cash values like 100, 500 or 1000. The cash gifts are often given in numbers of 51, 101, 201, 501 or 1001 and so on. There are various reasons and logic behind this practice:
- Indivisible: The reason behind this is that these amounts cannot be divided equally and the recipients can enjoy the amount on their own without having to share it with anyone.
- Hope for Continuity: Another logic behind number one is that if an amount ends in zero, it denotes the end of a transaction, but if it ends with another number it depicts continuity and hope for future transactions. In Indian customs, this can be translated with the sentiment of ‘continuing to give gifts’ to the recipient.
- Debt: Yet in another theory, the ‘lone’ rupee coin is a symbolic sign of debt to the receiver. He is expected to attend religious and traditional ceremonies of the one who gifts and return the shagun along with the outstanding ‘one rupee’ loan.
- Investment: Some other people believe that the logic behind this additional one rupee is to let the recipient know that while he or she can spend the shagun amount, the one rupee is meant for savings or wise investments. It could also be given to charities or to attract good karma.
- Meant to Stay: This reasoning makes the most sense of all. Any ‘dhatu’ or metal coming from the earth’s crust is meant to be forever. It is also considered a form of goddess Lakshmi. So while the paper currency may slip away or be used, the metal coin can be easily saved and preserved. It will never make you penniless.
You may pick any reason you like, but the tradition stays with many of us not even knowing the reason behind this practice, but just following it as our ancient custom.
9 Websites for Buying Shagun Envelopes Online in India
If you want to buy shagun envelopes online, then here is a list of some user-friendly websites, which deliver shagun envelopes to your doorstep.
1. Multi Coloured Envelopes
Buy this pack of 50 multicoloured shagun envelopes from Flipkart at Rs. 249 only. The pack contains pretty designer envelopes crafted from printed papers. These envelopes are perfect for cash gifts to be given at wedding parties, holy functions, birth ceremonies and house warming functions.
2. Floral Envelopes
Grab these elegantly designed floral envelopes from engrave.in at Rs. 250. Featuring pretty hand-drawn floral designs on a gold metallic finish paper, these shagun envelopes are quite impressive. These are further embellished with white stones to give them an ornate look. Engrave celebrates artists, craftsmen and designers of India, and if you want to give an impetus to Indian talent, then do buy these pretty shagun envelopes online from here.
3. Wedding Envelopes
Want to buy envelopes that are different from the usual designs? Lotus Card Studio brings you a lovely collection of shagun envelopes, which will definitely garner praises from your relatives and friends. This wedding envelope with a golden chandelier design printed on top is unique and extraordinary. It is made from ivory canvas paper and the gold chandelier shimmers with light. Priced at Rs. 32 each, the website offers free delivery across India. The metallic paper used is of 300 GSM and the dimensions are 17.9 cm x 8.8 cm. It comes with a self-sealing tape inside the envelope flap for easy closing and opening. You can also personalise this envelope by printing your name, best wishes, your company name and some other wordings. The website does printing in silk screen and hot foil and you can choose between the two. You can also personalise the envelope by choosing to print your symbol.
4. Metallic Coloured Envelopes
Grab this opulent metallic paper shagun envelope from amazon.in. Priced at Rs. 800 for a pack of 100, these feature dimensions of 8.5 cm x 19.5 cm. The multi coloured envelopes are crafted from metallic paper. These are an ideal accompaniment for your cash gifts.
5. Peacock Design Envelopes
These lovely shagun envelopes featuring a peacock design are available in a pack of 50 from snapdeal.com. Priced at Rs. 584, these envelopes are designed with a pretty gold border and a unique peacock design in gold. The cover features dimensions of 24 cm x 14 cm. The pack contains 10 pieces of red, purple, yellow, maroon and dark red colours. These are the perfect wedding envelopes as they are ornate and aesthetic. The bright colours sync with the Indian cultural traditions. These are crafted from handmade craft paper.
6. 3D Children Envelopes
Collect some cute 3D children envelopes for giving cash gifts to newborns or during birthday functions. You can also use it as motivational gifts for students and young artists. Ultra Gift Bazaar has some endearing children’s shagun envelopes in 3D prints. This cat image envelope is priced at Rs. 249 for a pack of 5. These envelopes give an illusion of depth and motion. You can tilt the 3D lenticular envelope up or down to see the beautiful 3D work. Made from quilling paper, this shagun envelope looks quite attractive, rich and colourful.
7. God Image Envelopes
God image envelopes are a favourite amongst Indians as they resonate with the Indian traditions and religious sentiments. Vedic Vani has some beautiful Ganesh-Lakshmi-Saraswati envelopes priced at Rs. 190 for a set of 2. These envelopes are perfect for giving monetary gifts to couples at wedding ceremonies. The envelopes feature dimensions of 3.5 inches x 7 inches. They have images of Gods and Goddesses plated in pure gold.
8. Printed Envelopes
Get these pretty envelopes from India Circus at a price of Rs. 336 for a set of 6. These feature an elegant design with floral patterns and a latticed screen. The pattern is done in light pastel shades with vibrant red and orange flowers. This one is an ideal envelope for giving monetary gifts on anniversaries, birthdays and weddings. The envelopes feature dimensions of 7.5 inches x 3.4 inches. The design is inspired by Mughal aesthetics.
9. Jute Envelopes
Shaadilogy brings you this unique collection of jute envelopes, which are perfect for giving monetary gifts during wedding functions. The pretty orange flap of the envelope is further enhanced with a golden gota detailing and colourful tassels. The envelope features dimensions of 8 inches x 4 inches. The orange flap is made from velvet fabric while the rest of the envelope is crafted from jute material.
Personalise Envelopes So You Never Run Out
While there are so many websites that sell pretty and colourful shagun envelopes, you cannot deny the speciality of a customised or personalised one. Many women in India take it as a hobby to design and create their own personalized envelopes.
There are innumerable advantages of making custom envelopes:
- You never run out of envelopes: While you may always keep stock of shagun envelopes at home, there are chances that you might run out of one at a time when you most need it. It is always good to know how to create one yourself as it will help you at the time of need.
- Take it as a fun hobby: Creating shagun envelopes is a lot of fun. You can sit with your children or young cousins and engage everyone in a crafts session of creating shagun envelopes. All you need are some coloured papers, stickers of God and Goddesses (You can even paint them if you want), some glue, scissors and glitter. You can leave your creativity shine as you make different and pretty shagun envelopes.
- Innumerable occasions when Shagun envelopes have to be given: Creating a customised envelope at home can be very easy on your pocket and yet very productive. There are innumerable occasions where you might have to gift shagun envelopes. Customising your own will save your precious bucks.
- Clear reminder of who gave it: When you customise and create your own shagun envelope, you ensure that you make a special piece of art. Your effort shows and the recipient will know that it is handmade. He or she will always remember this gesture and effort of yours and always remember your gift.
Customize Your Envelopes Online
There are a few websites, which let you customise your envelopes yourself. So if you do not have the time to make an envelope from scratch, you can at least choose from different colour combinations, texts and images.
1. Customized Shagun Envelope
Now you can personalise and customise your own shagun envelope online at carda.co.in. You need not make the envelope from scratch as they offer pretty printed envelopes. But you can definitely stamp your own label, logo or text to make it your very own. Priced at Rs. 6,500 per set of 50 pieces, this one is an ideal buy. The envelope features dimensions of 7.5 inches x 3.5 inches. You can choose to upload your name, symbol or other text on this envelope by uploading it on the website. You can also increase the pieces if you desire more.
2. Personalise Your Text on Shagun Envelope
These pretty lifafas or envelopes from amazon.in can also be personalised by uploading your own text or name. Grab this pack of 10 shagun envelopes for Rs. 300. Featuring dimensions of 3.5 inches x 7.5 inches, these pretty beige envelopes are made from craft paper and have pretty golden coloured printed floral motifs. These look definitely rich and elegant and after personalising these with your own text, you definitely create a mark and distinction with your monetary gifts. Everyone gifts shagun envelopes, but personalised ones will always be remembered and even preserved by the recipients forever.
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Choose Your Perfect Shagun Envelope
Shagun envelopes have been the tradition from hundreds and thousands of years. Gifting money in a shagun envelope only makes perfect sense if you're not able to decide on an amazing gift. Order online these beautiful envelopes or customise your envelopes and add a bit of personal touch by adding a personal note before gifting which would not only make you stand out but also make your receiver's heart melt.