The best places for Christmas shopping in Dhaka

Jingle bells are about to ring and Christmas is knocking at the door. So, it is time to send gifts to our loved ones, decorate our homes with lights and indulge on yummy cakes to celebrate Christmas. But where can we find the best deals to get these things and celebrate the merry occasion?

The Business Standard has come up with a list to ease your troubles.

Handmade cards

Places to find: The Magenta Basket

Price: Tk120 to Tk250

To wish a loved one Merry Christmas, nothing can be more pleasant than wishing with a greeting card. 

Currently, greeting cards are not available due to the pandemic. Ideal and Azad products have not launched any Christmas cards this year. 

But there's nothing to worry about because handmade cards made with love can be another way to surprise the loved ones.

If you do not have enough time, you can buy handmade cards from different online shops such as The Magenta Basket. Prices start from Tk120 and can go up to Tk250. 

The finishing of these cards, however, is not as polished as printed cards. The owner of Magenta Basket shared that they keep it this way because it carries the warmth and care with which it has been made.

Christmas wall hang decor

Places to find: Crafty Decor, Christmas Decorations BD and Gulshan-1 DCC market

Price: Tk275 to Tk1,690

Decorating walls and doors with colourful hanging craft items help create a festive vibe at home. There might be a pile of things at home already, yet every year we all like to add something new to our list. 

Flashy Christmas banners, Santa hats, trees, drums and tinsels can be proper choices for vintage decoration. And these props are available in different designs, colours, sizes and quantities. 

Sadly, the pandemic is not over yet, so buying such decorations from online shops might be a wiser decision. 

Crafty Decor and Christmas Decorations BD are two places where a variety of things are available at bulk and at reasonable price. If you still prefer to buy things selectively and physically, visit Gulshan-1 DCC Market.

Different prop sets are accessible at these online shops at a budget friendly price point. Christmas garland, banner and wreath prices start from Tk400. Theme-based props are priced within Tk90 to Tk130. Mini Santa Christmas pack costs Tk275 and origami Christmas trees and glittery prop decorations can be purchased at Tk1,690. 

These decorative ornaments might look a bit pricey but you can use these for years.

Tree and tree ornaments

Places to find: Crafty Decor, Christmas Decorations BD, Prokritee and Gulshan 1 DCC market

Price: Tk250 to Tk2,450

Due to the pandemic, we might not be able to celebrate Christmas with everyone. So, we are going to be our own host this year. But that does not mean anything will be left behind. 

The centre of attraction is the Christmas tree, which needs extra attention in this case as decorating it with fairy lights, baubles and stars are common. 

You can also decorate the Christmas tree with tiny and unique ornaments such as metal alloy Christmas charms, Santa snowman pendants, hats, crochet dolls and Christmas angel and turn it into a winter wonderland.

All these items are available at different online shops such as Crafty Decor, Christmas Decorations BD and Source-Prokritee. As per the size of the Christmas tree, it can cost up to Tk2,450. 

The prices of these tree ornaments individually costs between Tk250 to Tk400. For purchasing these physically, you can visit the stores at Gulshan-1 DCC market.

Quick last-minute gift ideas

Places to find: Florus Aurum, Zest Candle CO and Tukitaki.xyz

Price: Tk595 to Tk2,500

We may not be able to meet our friends and relatives but our gifts certainly can. 

You can send your token of love safely to their places. How about sending them a jar of light or some sweet aroma this Christmas? Yes, this is very possible. 

Meaningful quotes written on wooden light boxes or glittering LED lights in a mason glass jar with splash resistant stickers of different characters and movies are available at various online shops. 

At Florus Aurum, these are available between Tk595 to Tk2,500. At Zest Candle CO, mesmerizing scented candles such as caramel, chocolate and cocoa butter are available at Tk900.

If you want to be generic, ordering from Tukitaki.xyz can be a better option. From plants, to paintings, to fashion accessories, to arts and crafts, and even books, are available at reasonable prices. Just a few clicks and your gift is ready to be sent to your loved ones.

What's Christmas without cakes, pies and cookies?

Places to find: Tk100 to Tk3,400

Price: Precious Pie, Kavazo, Sugar Rush Cupcakery and The Flourist

The merriest Christmas cannot be celebrated without a delicious cake. Till we see a decorated chocolate, salted caramel vanilla or chocolate cake on the table, it just does not feel like Christmas has begun.  

So, a cake or pie is a must item in our list. Little crunchy cookies, colourful macarons, mini cakes or cupcakes for our little ones will create a joyful ambience during Christmas.

If you are making cake or pies at home, then you already know how to do it. But if you are not willing to put up with baking, then there are a few shops who are delivering mouth-watering cakes, pies, macarons and cookies of different flavours. 

Bakeries such as Precious Pie, Kavazo, Sugar Rush Cupcakery and The Flourist are on top of that list.

The price of each macaron, cupcake, cookie and mini cake are respectively Tk100, Tk150 and Tk1,000. Assorted box of these little beauties is also available in shops. Different flavoured cakes or pies cost between Tk1,200 and Tk 3,400 per kg.