by Aisha Hassan updated on October 28th, 2021
Who are the women in your life? They could be your family members, such as your mother and sister(s,) or perhaps they’re the girlfriends and confidants within your social circle. These people often play an important or significant role in your life, and the love you have for them lasts eternally. This is one of the reasons why you should think about giving something special to the women that you love.
There seems nothing better than something memorable, unique, and made with love. We think amazing handmade gifts or accessories make great presents that show your care and appreciation for the wonder women you cherish.
Regardless of whether they are looking to revamp their living space or expand their collection of accessories, here are seven handmade gift ideas from Southeast Asian designers that we think they will love.
Convenient handmade gift ideas for the woman on the go
Tote bags are indispensable because they withstand a lot of weight, especially when going grocery shopping or on long days out. The Chitose’s spacious interior will fit practically anything, from essentials to sunglasses and a book. Handmade from upcycled brocade fabrics, the slouchy silhouette adds a laid-back feel to the luxurious textures on each piece. Choose from four different colors and turn them inside out to suit your outfit.
Practical handmade gift ideas for the organized superstar
Keep countertops tidy with this beautiful, handwoven rattan basket, which can be used to store anything from keys and other small belongings, to lemons or onions. It takes 5 hours for one female artisan to make this basket by hand. Handmade gift ideas like these will bring a smile to your mother’s or sister’s face.
Quirky handmade gifts for the bold one
There’s nothing quite like a leather fan in the likeness of a monstera leaf to add flair and comfort on a hot summer’s day. This exquisite accessory from Pubumésu was fully handcrafted and hand-painted by shadow puppet artisans in Central Java. This petite leather accessory was created in collaboration with the iconic Potatohead Bali.
Elegant handmade gifts for the interior decor junkie
We like cushions that encompass the three Cs: comfy, colorful, and consciously made. Our selection of bright lumbar cushion covers are made of handwoven silk ikat and come in a variety of patterns, which makes great gift ideas. From a multi-colored leaf motif to a classic pattern of undulating grey waves, you can mix and match these cushion covers to create your ideal combination.
Classic handmade gifts for the style lover
These handmade earrings are an unusual shape but their color palette, which comprises of white and blue, are reminiscent of tranquil skies and neutral enough to match most outfits. They’re well suited to any woman who likes to experiment with style while keeping it classic. The earrings are also named after the word “heart” (“hati”) in Malay, and are inspired by our love for home. It feels apt to give something made with love to your sister or your mother.
Sustainable handmade gift ideas for the eco-friendly warrior
This Batik chiffon scarf is handmade from scratch, using the traditional batik making method. Malaysian artisans painstakingly painted the scarf using the canting method, where wax is applied to the cloth and colour is gently applied using soft brush strokes. It is a simple accessory which can be used to jazz up a simple plain white T-shirt. It is also an ideal shawl for an evening dress. For those who appreciate the beauty behind the process of making quality artisanal scarfs, this is one of the most splendid handmade gift ideas.
Floral handmade gift ideas for the nature lover
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aisha Hassan is a writer, journalist, and co-founder of Dia. Previously, Aisha worked for Quartz in New York and Harper’s Bazaar in Malaysia. Her fiction has been published in international literary magazines. She has a bachelor’s degree in English Language & Literature from the University of Oxford, and a master’s degree from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism.
