Every year, the first Sunday of August is celebrated as Friendship Day. On August 4, 2024, people will be organising gatherings with their friends, posting on social media, and reminiscing about the good old days. Of all 365 days in a year, this day marks the celebration of a second family that people find in their best buds.
While you might not be living across the hall from your friend, such was the beauty and premise of the 90s sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S, you can still shower them with love by choosing a thoughtful gift for them. Getting their favourite spirit, cookie, snack, or tea delivered to their doorstep, you can showcase how much your buddy means to you and how much you know them without contesting and betting on your apartments (courtesy season 4 and episode 12 of F.R.I.E.N.D.S). Here are some ideas for you.
Gourmet Delicacies
Some friends are sophisticated like Monica and others are Phoebe who get impressed with a gesture. If you have a Monica in your group, you can surprise them with Bateel’s exquisite collection of dates, chocolates, dips, vinegar, and olive oil. You can create a hamper and send it across to your friend.
Price: Pastel Collection - Rs 1740, Mosaic Collection - Rs 5990, & Noor Collection - Rs 1440
Whisky
If your buddy likes to collect whiskey, thinks of themselves as an expert of the spirit, and makes amazing cocktails, you can present them with Diageo’s Black & White boasting sharp notes of oak, honey, and vanilla. Their Johnnie Walker Blonde is a smooth scotch with fruity flavours, and Black Dog Tripple Gold Reserve flaunts hints of vanilla while offering a one-of-a-kind experience. You can also consider The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve boasting rich caramel coffee notes and fruity flavours or Chivas XV which is a 15-year-old blended scotch whisky featuring French oak cask finish and sophisticated taste. Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition is another pick if you friend likes their spirit with chocolate finish or
Price: Black & White - Rs 2600 onwards, Johnnie Walker Blonde - Rs 2930 onwards, and Black Dog Tripple Gold Reserve - Rs 2500 onwards, The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve - Rs 5750, Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition - Rs 3000 onwards Chivas XV - Rs 3500 onwards
Healthy Snacks
Is your friend the one who is constantly reading labels and telling you what is healthy and what is not? To show them that you value their opinion, give them a hamper of carefully picked delightful snacks by To Be Honest (TBH). They are perfect for midnight munching, mid-meal snacking, and serving as accompaniments with your meals. These are available in gluten-free and vegan options with a promise of no MSG or artificial colours.
Price: Pack of 6 - Rs 622
Non-Alcoholic Beer
If your friend feels left out when they are at a party because they don’t like to drink, non-alcoholic beer is the perfect beverage for them. You present them with a pack of these, and they will realise that you see them amid the chaos. Coolberg’s pack of six comes with distinct flavours - cranberry, malt, mint, ginger, and more. These refreshing beverages are the perfect picks for your buddy.
Price: Pack of 6 - Rs 534
Tequila & Whisky
For a pal who does not know how to party without alcohol, you should get them quality spirits that they can enjoy. Monica Alcobev’s range of tequila is exquisite. Their 1800 Tequila Aneja has a velvety texture and spice notes while 1800 Tequila Cristalino is aged in oak barrels and is perfect for mixing cocktails. You can also consider their Lucifer’s Gold Whisky with fruity and charred oak notes.
Price: 1800 Tequila Aneja - Rs 8750, 1800 Tequila Cristalino - Rs 1500 Lucifer’s Gold Whisky - Rs 1994
Tea
There is no better gift for a chai lover than an assorted pack of different kinds of tea. The 1869 Dawn package by Tata Tea includes masala chai, cream of Assam, apple cranberry, paan cardamom, achari chai, and Kolkata street chai in separate compartments. You can go for Sonnets by Tata Tea in which you get the best chai mixes in portable tea bags.
Price: Dawn pack - Rs 1750, Assorted pour bags - Rs 250
Gin & Coffee Liquor
Apart from whisky, beer, and tequila, people are also fans of gin. If your friend is one of them and would not stop talking about the spirit, you should consider gifting them craft gins from Indian brands. This Friendship Day, consider Kumaon & I and Bandarful from the collection of Himmaleh Spirits. While Kumaon & I boasts a blend of black turmeric, Timur berry, and galgal, Bandarful is a coffee liquor with a unique taste. You can also consider Jin JIJI Darjeeling by Peak Spirits. It combines the flavours of cardamom, angelica, coriander seeds, tulsi, Darjeeling tea, and more. Beefeater Dry Gin is also worth a shot if your friend likes the spirit with citrus notes, crisp flavour, and smooth finish.
Price: Jin JIJI Darjeeling - Rs 1540 onwards, Bandarful - Rs 1850 onwards, and Kumaon & I - Rs 2700 onwards, Beefeater Dry Gin - Rs 2500 onwards
Ready-To-Cook Packs
Does your friend always complain about cooking and hate ordering food? This friendship day, you can give them the gift of food by sending ready-to-cook packs of rajma, chhole, butter masala, and Punjabi tadka from the house of CURRYiT. Within 15 minutes, they will be able to prepare a delicious meal for themselves and thank you later.
Price: Pack of four - Rs 749
Vegan Delights
If most people in your friend circle prefer non-vegetarian food, but one of your friends feels out of place because they are vegan or vegetarian, you should get the kebab platter bundle by Plantaway. It comprises delicious chicken and mutton kebabs created with plant-based alternatives. Serve people with non-vegetarian food preferences, and they will not notice the difference.
Price: Kebab Platter Bundle - Rs 1285
Rum
Is your friend a rum enthusiast? This Friendship Day, surprise them with a bottle of dark rum by Pitbull Rum. Its fierce flavours will leave their taste buds tantalised. It boasts notes of sugarcane, vanilla, fig, banana, anise, cinnamon, and candied orange. It is perfect for crafting delicious cocktails for a gathering.
Price: Rs 800 for 750ml
Desserts
Present your BFF with the gift of desserts to make your bond sweeter with them this Friendship Day. Cravesy's pancakes, cupcakes, and oats-based snacks are perfect for such occasions. Your buddy will love to indulge in their double chocolate and chocolate chip cupcakes.
Price: Hamper of snacks - Rs 699
Chocolates
If your buddy loves chocolates, you can explore a wide range of hampers by SMOOR. From a hot chocolate hamper to assorted chocolate boxes, you can surprise your friend with sinful treats. Not only will they be impressed by your choice, but they will also acknowledge how much you love them.
Price: Self-Love hamper - Rs 2500