I Hate Pink...

My latest floral craft project involved nine sets of engagement ‘hantaran’ gifts arrangement in pink and silver for the daughter of Auntie M, a good friend of my Mom. Pink is a pretty color, but it is not a favourite of mine (I actually hate the color, don't ask me why) but Auntie M’s daughter wanted pink as the theme-color for her ‘hantaran’ gifts. I used silver-colored boxes to arrange the gift presentation and set it off with pink wired- ribbons and nylon flowers with faux pink and cream pearls.

'Hantaran’ gifts in the Malay society are ceremonial pre-nuptial gifts exchanged between the groom and the bride-to-be. The gifts will be beautifully decorated with handmade flowers and ribbons crafted from the finest materials and arranged on a brass or silver tray to be presented during a formal engagement ceremony, or just before the wedding ceremony commences. The tray will be lined with velvet, satin or tulle decorated with intricate beadworks, gold-thread embroidery or fine lace. This custom of gift-giving is a deep-rooted value shared by most Asian as a way to honor and respect each other’s family.

Jewelries, accessories, designer footwear and bags, expensive perfume and toiletries set, branded cosmetics, fruits, cakes, sweetmeats, candies and chocolates, potpourri and fine clothing are all normal gift items. But, some even added gadgets like a mobile phone, iPod, a laptop, PDA and some even went further to add a car or a house to the list. The gifts from the groom usually include some dowry ‘money’ for the bride. I would like to note here that the gift of sweetmeats is an art into itself. These delectable morsels came in the form of ‘halwa’ or candied fruits carved into flowers and leaves, marzipans and jellies shaped into tiny fruits or vegetables, sweet dough made to resemble roses and nougats shaped into thin petals….

However, for the contemporary Malays, it is normal to exchange the ‘hantaran’ gifts twice, once during the engagement ceremony and again before the wedding ceremony. But, the dowry money is given only once. Well, who wouldn’t want the gifts twice? They are lovely to look at and some of the gifts can be quite expensive. Perhaps, for some couple this is maybe the only moment in their married lifetime they'll ever receive such lavish and artfully presented gifts from their spouses.