Talking bout hantarans...

Starter's Wife on TV... cam inda siuk.. can't seem to get my eyes to really concentrate on it... So I might as well do a bit of nonsense blogging hehe.

Talking bout Hantarans. Most people tend to not talk so much about this but rather talk about their wedding attires - where they got it, pelamins and other stuff but in fact Hantarans plays a very important part of the package. Most newly weds are excited about the gift that they are getting. And getting gifts are big deals now that Hantarans are getting so much fancier than before.

Did you know that in the olden days, the women do not give Hantarans as Hantarans are gifts from the men. On the women side in return provides the men with delicious local delicacies from Yellow Rice, Fancy shaped agars agars to all sort of curries and a big fish hahaha! Big fish sounds funny but its true. The food that was given was not considered as Hantarans but rather Pembalasan.

Nowadays Weddings get more commercialised and very fanciful that the Men also wants to get gifts. I seen it grown from basics to Wowweee..

Some list of Hantarans to give. In the past must includes:

1. Pinang and the pinang box
2. Keris - maybe??
3. Kain pelikat
4. Set of Sewing Kit - What's the reason behind this though? So women can sew for their husbands maybe? You tell me I'd like to know.

Nowadays, only the few include this although very rare now. If you see this, you can tell one is very traditional in a good way, keeping the tradition alive is kinda cool. Some Hantaran norms gift now are as follows:

1. Shoes - which in the past they say one cannot place on the Gangsa. I keep asking why this is so. People always put Shoes in baskets so they can carry em easily since they cannot be placed on a Gangsa. I've had one reason explained was because in the past Gangsa was carried on their Heads that it is not wise to put or carry Shoes on your head! Bizarre but I guess it makes sense. If anyone can tell me a better reason I'd like to know. Very interesting.

2. Shoes and Bags for women. Dulu Bata now it's Jimmy Choos, LV, Prada, Lewry (this one lawa lawa for Hantarans), Diors, Gucci and so much more. You be suprised people really look at brands.

3. Watches ranges from Tag most popular, to Guess, Omega to the Best of the breed Rolex!

4. Kain for baju kurung - either already made into baju kurung with manics or just the colourful kain.

5. Matching scarfs, Pin and Brooches - Most popular is Ferragamo then again Di Brunei byk sudah the nice one. I do however have not seen a Hermes being sent (hehehe Ugly Betty punya pasal) There might be but I just would like to see one.

6. Oh Oh not forgetting toiletries for men and women - Men usually Clinique apa lagi tu ah.. For women it ranges from really branded to the most popular Marks and Spencer sets. Nowadays Evelyn & Crabtree is getting in the groove. L'occitane is also a good choice but not many yet.

7. Make Up Set for women is a must must! Mac is most popular choice. Mac is Big! Stila looks good on hantarans as well. I have yet to see people use Benefits. Cmon change to benefits its cool and funky.



8. Jewelries is another must must include Cincin Kawin. Bracelets, Necklace and Matching earrings but not often though.

9. Woops I forgot - Al Quran. This is not easy to find. people with connection always ask to buy from people who goes to Dubai. They like the fancy Beludu ones that comes in Boxes. Ada lagi I've seen the one shaped in Kaabah which is way cool. Who has photos send over!

10. Tikar sembahyang also now is evolving! Form basic beludu to hand made sewn colourful tikar sembahyang. Nowadays its the cushioned one! What you don't have the cushioned one! Aya aya you dont know what you're missing. You gotta get the cushioned one! No I'm serious. Package this with the Kayu Kokka Tasbih and maybe a Songkok.

11. The usual Belanja Serbaguna and Mas Kahwin comes in frames or no frames. Depends on different taste.

12. Almost forgot about the boring Towels hahaha not much to say bout this. Some people substitute this with night robe and bedroom slippers.

I got more to list not forgetting the Techy's - Very New Age Hantarans. Will list in my next post. Ngalih ku sudah.