Illustrated Punjabi wedding card, Viah Diyaan Lakh Lakh Vadhaiyaan

Punjabi & Indian Wedding Gift Ideas in Canada: Cards, Shagun & Keepsakes

What should you give at a Punjabi or Indian wedding in Canada? Most guests give shagun, a cash gift in a card, and many add a small keepsake the couple can keep long after the reception. The best pairing is a card that actually reflects the wedding, plus a personalized gift with the couple's names and date. Here are our ideas, from cards under $10 to engraved keepsakes, all made to order in Brampton, Ontario.

Start with the card

At most Punjabi, Sikh, Gujarati and Muslim weddings in Canada, the card does real work: it holds the cash gift and carries your blessings. A generic card with a bow on it can feel like an afterthought next to everything the families have put into the day.

Punjabi wedding cards

Our Punjabi wedding cards are illustrated with the details that make the day: paggs, lehengas, dhol, juttis, kaleere and marigolds. The Viah Diyaan Lakh Lakh Vadhaiyaan card (from $8.97) is a warm, traditional choice for elders and family. For a cousin or friend with a sense of humour, You're the Chai to My Jalebi (from $8.97) is a little more playful. Both are 5x7 folded cards, blank inside for your own vadhaiyaan, with a cream envelope.

Gujarati wedding cards

For a Gujarati wedding, Kem Cho Married Cho (from $7.49) gets a smile from both sides of the family. There are several more Gujarati designs, including garba-themed ones.

Nikkah cards

For a nikkah, Nikkah Mubarak: From Dua to I Do (from $7.49) is a gentle, sweet option.

See every design in Wedding Cards: Punjabi, Gujarati & Nikkah.

A few words on shagun

Customs vary by family, so take these as general notes, not rules:

  • Odd amounts. Many families give amounts ending in 1, like $51, $101 or $501, because the extra one is seen as a blessing for the start of something new.
  • Who gives. Close family often gives more, sometimes at the milni or other ceremonies, while friends usually give at the reception.
  • Write something. A few lines of blessing in the card are often remembered longer than the amount.

If you're not sure what's expected, ask someone from the family. They'll appreciate that you checked.

Personalized keepsakes for the couple

A keepsake is a good choice when you're close to the couple, when you'd like to give something alongside shagun, or when you're sending a gift because you can't attend.

A wedding keepsake box

Indian weddings come with a lot of small things worth keeping: the invitation, kaleere charms, cards from elders, photos and mehndi-night mementos. The Personalized Wedding Keepsake Box (from $39.99) is a natural wood box with a hinged lid and metal clasp, its lid engraved with the couple's names and wedding date.

A cutting board for their first kitchen

The Wedding Cutting Board (from $39.99, bamboo) is engraved with their names and date. It's practical enough for everyday rotis and pretty enough to lean on the counter.

Coasters for the living room

The Mr and Mrs Personalized Coasters, Set of 6 with Holder (from $49.99) suit a couple setting up a new home, and they get used every time guests come over for chai.

Engraved glasses: a note on what the family drinks

Engraved glasses are a popular wedding gift, but think about the couple first. Some Sikh, Muslim and Hindu families don't drink alcohol, and a pair of wine glasses can land awkwardly. If you know the couple well and they'll enjoy them, these are lovely:

If you're unsure, a pair of engraved glass coffee mugs or any of the keepsakes above is a safer choice. Browse all engraved glassware.

Gifts from the couple to their guests

If you're the one getting married, thank-you cards are one thing you can take off your list early. Our Custom Wedding Thank You Cards (from $69.99 for 25) are illustrated from your wedding photo, and for bulk card packs we send you 5 different illustrated designs to choose from before anything is printed. For a larger celebration, browse the full wedding and anniversary collection.

How to choose

  • Acquaintance or colleague: a cultural card with shagun inside.
  • Friend or cousin: a card plus a keepsake box or cutting board.
  • Close family or sending from afar: a card and a larger keepsake, like coasters with a holder, shipped straight to the couple.

Everything is made to order with the names and date you type, so double-check spelling, especially for names that can be written more than one way in English.

FAQ

What is a good gift for a Punjabi wedding?

Shagun in a card is the most common gift. If you'd like to give something to keep, a personalized keepsake with the couple's names and wedding date, like an engraved box or cutting board, is a thoughtful addition.

Are your Punjabi wedding cards blank inside?

Yes. They're 5x7 folded cards, blank inside so you can write your own vadhaiyaan or blessings, and each comes with an envelope.

Can you ship a wedding gift directly to the couple?

Yes. Enter the couple's address at checkout and add a gift note in the cart. Shipping is free to Canada and the US.

How long do personalized wedding gifts take?

Orders ship in 1 business day, then take an estimated 3 to 5 business days to Toronto, Ottawa and Southwest Ontario, 4 to 8 to the rest of Ontario and Montreal, and 5 to 10 to most of the rest of Canada and the US.

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