JUL 31 -
The first Sunday of August marks the day for the beautiful bond of friendship. First introduced in 1930s in the States, Friendship Day has slowly gained popularity internationally and has also permeated our part of the world; it has basically captivated urban youth.
Yellow roses and colourful wristbands have already flooded gift outlets with the start of August; it is a new-found urban culture of exchanging gifts on special occasions. “Friendship bands mean a lot,” says Sunaina Shrestha while getting hold of attractive bands at Archies Gallery in New Baneshwor, along with her friend Keshara Pun. Another shopper, Jayanti Limbu also emphasised the importance of this day, “No matter what you give-small or big, it is still precious; so I will give bands to my best friends.”
Vendors agree with the girls. “Friendship bands are more popular because of the affordability; cards and gifts cost much and since you have lots of friends you cannot buy gifts for everyone,” says Rajesh Agrawal from Hallmark store at New Baneshwor.
Bands ranging from Rs.10 to Rs. 100 are available at stores. Apart from bands, yellow roses and cards, Hallmark flaunts some exclusive wrist-wares which can cost upto Rs. 250 and a new item-friendship rings that cost Rs. 25. Archies Gallery, on the other hand has a good collection of gifts for friendship day: special mugs, stuffed bears, mirrors, etc.
Although some boys can be spotted at these stores, girls seem more interested. “I will just greet my friends, or just text them; save paper,” says Pranesh Basnet who came to buy a friendship band for his best friend Susana. It is easier to keep in touch via electronic media, thus, e-cards and friendship SMSes have become cheaper alternatives for cards and bands.
However, the charm of these fancy bands-whether stone studded, beads or simple wristbands, have not yet evaporated. Arun Shahi from Archies Gallery mentioned that there are still people who purchase bands in large quantities, sometimes even up to 10 to 12 bands. But he complains that the sales are not as satisfactory as last year. “The stores were flooded with people last year because there were a lot of events marking the day and the media as well had highlighted the day,” says Shahi.
Celebrations like these are just excuses to separate out some time from our daily schedules to express how much we value such relations in our lives. Just spare some time to celebrate the special bond with your close friends in your own way-meet at a good restaurant, go out together, or just hit the nearest gift outlets and gift your special friends with flowers, bands, or anything that you can get hold of.
The first Sunday of August marks the day for the beautiful bond of friendship. First introduced in 1930s in the States, Friendship Day has slowly gained popularity internationally and has also permeated our part of the world; it has basically captivated urban youth.
Yellow roses and colourful wristbands have already flooded gift outlets with the start of August; it is a new-found urban culture of exchanging gifts on special occasions. “Friendship bands mean a lot,” says Sunaina Shrestha while getting hold of attractive bands at Archies Gallery in New Baneshwor, along with her friend Keshara Pun. Another shopper, Jayanti Limbu also emphasised the importance of this day, “No matter what you give-small or big, it is still precious; so I will give bands to my best friends.”
Vendors agree with the girls. “Friendship bands are more popular because of the affordability; cards and gifts cost much and since you have lots of friends you cannot buy gifts for everyone,” says Rajesh Agrawal from Hallmark store at New Baneshwor.
Bands ranging from Rs.10 to Rs. 100 are available at stores. Apart from bands, yellow roses and cards, Hallmark flaunts some exclusive wrist-wares which can cost upto Rs. 250 and a new item-friendship rings that cost Rs. 25. Archies Gallery, on the other hand has a good collection of gifts for friendship day: special mugs, stuffed bears, mirrors, etc.
Although some boys can be spotted at these stores, girls seem more interested. “I will just greet my friends, or just text them; save paper,” says Pranesh Basnet who came to buy a friendship band for his best friend Susana. It is easier to keep in touch via electronic media, thus, e-cards and friendship SMSes have become cheaper alternatives for cards and bands.
However, the charm of these fancy bands-whether stone studded, beads or simple wristbands, have not yet evaporated. Arun Shahi from Archies Gallery mentioned that there are still people who purchase bands in large quantities, sometimes even up to 10 to 12 bands. But he complains that the sales are not as satisfactory as last year. “The stores were flooded with people last year because there were a lot of events marking the day and the media as well had highlighted the day,” says Shahi.
Celebrations like these are just excuses to separate out some time from our daily schedules to express how much we value such relations in our lives. Just spare some time to celebrate the special bond with your close friends in your own way-meet at a good restaurant, go out together, or just hit the nearest gift outlets and gift your special friends with flowers, bands, or anything that you can get hold of.
No comments:
Post a Comment