First Lohri after marriage: gifts for the newlyweds, from the bride's family and from guestsFirst Lohri after marriage: gifts for the newlyweds, from the bride's family and from guests

Pehli Lohri: who gives what

A couple's first Lohri after marriage is one of the biggest Lohris a Punjabi family celebrates. The groom's family usually hosts: a large bonfire, relatives and neighbours, dhol, and the couple going round the fire together. Customs differ from family to family, but the gifts often fall into two groups.

From the bride's family (her maike). Traditionally they send gifts to her sasural: clothes for the bride and groom, often jewellery for the bride, and rewri, gajak, peanuts, dry fruits and mithai. Some families send clothes for the in-laws as well. This is a family custom, and the elders on both sides usually decide what is sent.

From guests, friends and relatives. You are giving to the couple. The best gifts here are things for the two of them and their new life together, not a sweet box they will receive twenty of.

That second group is where our candles fit. Raajkosh makes hand-poured soy wax candles in Jalandhar, and our pairs are made for a couple:

• Floral Candle Duo, Rs 649: two peony-shaped candles, one deep rose pink and one ivory with pink-tipped petals.
• Urli Candles, Rs 699 for a pair: flower-shaped urli bowls with a gold rim, gold-flecked wax and a yellow sunflower on top.
• Heart Rope Candles, Rs 999 for a set of 4: hearts with a rope-weave rim, in taupe, butter yellow, sage green and dusty pink.

Matching the gift to how close you are

The urli pair is the most "family" of these: gold rims and a sunflower look festive in a pooja corner, and they suit a home that has just welcomed a bahu. The floral duo is the most romantic, so it suits friends of the couple more than elders.

Making it a first-Lohri gift, not just a candle

• Pair it with the food. A small box of rewri or gajak from a good halwai next to the candle makes it clearly a Lohri gift.
• Write a note with their names. "For your first Lohri together" on the gift note does more than any wrapping. You can add gift packaging and a note on our product page.
• Ask for their names on the candle. Our custom orders page takes enquiries for custom colours, fragrance and names. Tell us the idea and the date, and we tell you what we can make. Custom pieces cannot be returned unless they arrive damaged or wrong, and you should ask well before Lohri.

If it is a baby's first Lohri instead

A baby's first Lohri is the other big one. A candle is not a gift for a baby. If you want to give one, give it to the parents for the evening's decor, and keep the baby's gift to clothes, a silver item or something for the nursery.

What else people give the newlyweds

• Clothes and jewellery, mostly from close family, as above.
• Dry fruit and sweet boxes, the safe default from any guest.
• Something for the new home: a dinner set, bedsheets, a photo frame with a wedding picture.
• Cash in an envelope (shagun), still the most common gift from elders.
• A dinner or a short trip for the two of them, if a group of friends pools money.

Ordering in time for 13 January 2027

• Dispatch in 24 to 48 hours, then 2 to 7 days for delivery anywhere in India. Order in late December and check the delivery estimate for your pincode on the product page.
• Free shipping from Rs 999; Rs 79 below that.
• Prepaid only, by UPI, card, net banking or wallet through Razorpay. No cash on delivery.
• Report damage within 24 hours of delivery and we replace or refund it.

A safety note for a busy house

On a night with a bonfire and a full house, light the candles indoors only, away from dupattas and children. Never leave them burning unattended, trim the wick to about 5 mm and keep each burn to 3 to 4 hours.