Shahi Chitthi Hampers in Delhi 2026: 12 Designs, Prices and Ideas for Wedding Invitations
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Looking for shahi chitthi hampers in Delhi? The short answer: send your first and most important wedding invitation, the shahi chitthi, in a showpiece hamper such as a doli, glass box, acrylic plaque or floral tray, filled with sweets and dry fruits, to your closest elders. Then send a smaller matching wedding invitation box to the rest of your guest list. Keep one colour theme across both, add the couple's names or monogram, and plan the hampers 6–8 weeks before the wedding. Below you'll find what a shahi chitthi is, 12 shahi chitthi and invitation hamper designs, what to put inside, colour themes, prices, a planning timeline and answers to common questions for families in Delhi, Gurgaon (Gurugram) and Noida.
What is a shahi chitthi?
In many Punjabi and North Indian families, the first wedding invitation is not posted or sent on WhatsApp. It is carried by hand to the family's closest elders and loved ones before any other card goes out. This first invitation is often called the shahi chitthi, the "royal letter", and it is never sent empty-handed. Traditionally it went with a box of mithai and dry fruits. Today many Delhi families present it in a decorated shahi chitthi hamper that holds the invitation alongside sweets, dry fruits and a keepsake.
Some families send the first shahi chitthi to the gurudwara or temple, then to the eldest relatives, and then to the wider family. Others take the first card to the family deity or place it at home before distributing the rest. Customs vary from family to family, so follow what your elders prefer.
12 shahi chitthi and wedding invitation hamper designs
These designs come from hampers we have made for Delhi weddings. Each can be customised in your colours, with your card and the couple's names.
Showpiece shahi chitthi hampers for elders
- Red and gold doli hamper: a doli on an embroidered base carrying golden potlis of sweets or dry fruits, with the invitation in an ornate gold frame, fresh roses and pearl strings. The most traditional and the most photographed choice.
- Acrylic invitation plaque hamper: the invitation printed on an acrylic plaque finished with pearls and the couple's monogram, set among fresh flowers. Elegant and modern.
- Floral tray with the couple's photo: the card with a framed photo of the couple, fresh roses and carnations, and an embroidered potli. Very personal for grandparents.
- Gold-framed glass box: a glass box with a fluted silver bowl, potlis and florals, finished with satin ribbon. Families keep it on display long after the wedding.
- Lavender floral arch tray: a pastel tray with a floral arch over the card, for a soft, modern look.
- Rose-pink silk box on a silver tray: a silk-wrapped box with a gold palm accent, pearls and an evil-eye charm for blessings, surrounded by fresh roses and carnations.
- Green shagun tray with potlis and fruit bowls: an embroidered box, zari-trimmed potlis and a footed bowl of fresh fruit on a gold-edged mirror tray. Ideal for very traditional families.
See photos of these in our shahi chitthi hampers gallery.
Wedding invitation boxes for the wider guest list
- Monogram invitation box: the couple's initials on the lid, the card on top and treats inside.
- Drawer-style invitation box: the card on top and sweets or cookies in a drawer below.
- Gold elephant tray: a small traditional tray with the card and a few sweets.
- Leather-handle invitation box: a carry box that guests can reuse.
- Ivory or black-and-gold boxes in bulk: one clean design for 100 to 1,000 guests.
Browse the full range in our wedding invitation hampers. For more invite box ideas for friends, colleagues and the wider guest list, read our guide to wedding invites hampers for guests.
What to put in a shahi chitthi hamper
- The invitation: paper card, acrylic plaque, scroll or framed card.
- Something sweet: mithai, freshly baked cookies, chocolates or dry fruit treats.
- Dry fruits: almonds, cashews, pistachios or a mix, the most traditional shagun item.
- A blessing touch: fresh flowers, a potli, an evil-eye charm or a small idol.
- A keepsake: the doli, box or tray itself, chosen so the family will want to keep it.
- Optional: a framed photo of the couple, a shagun envelope or a small diya.
For elders with dietary needs, ask for less-sweet or sugar-free options in a few hampers.
Popular colour themes
| Theme | Feel | Works well with |
|---|---|---|
| Red and gold | Traditional, festive | Doli hampers, potlis, gold frames |
| Ivory and gold | Elegant, timeless | Acrylic plaques, glass boxes, pearls |
| Pastel pink or lavender | Soft, modern | Floral trays and arches |
| Emerald or sage green | Rich, traditional | Shagun trays, zari potlis |
| Royal or powder blue | Fresh, regal | Glass boxes, silver bowls |
Shahi chitthi hamper prices: who gets which hamper
| Guest | Hamper | Suggested budget |
|---|---|---|
| Eldest family, gurudwara or temple | Showpiece shahi chitthi: doli, glass box, acrylic or floral hamper | ₹5,000 and above |
| Close relatives | Medium invitation tray or box with sweets and dry fruits | ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 |
| Family friends and colleagues | Small monogram or drawer box with the card and treats | ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 |
These are planning guides only. The final price depends on the design, contents and personalisation, so share your guest count and budget and we'll suggest what fits.
How many shahi chitthi hampers do you need?
- Showpiece hampers: usually 5–15, for grandparents, the eldest uncles and aunts, and the gurudwara or temple.
- Close family trays: one per close relative's household.
- Invitation boxes: one per household on the wider guest list, plus about 10% spare.
Planning timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 8–10 weeks before the wedding | Finalise the card design and colour theme; count hampers by guest group |
| 6–8 weeks before | Approve the hamper design and a sample; share names for tags or monograms |
| 5–6 weeks before | Shahi chitthi hampers ready; first invitations go to elders |
| 4–5 weeks before | Invitation boxes for the wider list delivered and distributed |
During the November to February wedding season, popular dates fill up fast, so start early if your wedding falls in peak muhurat weeks.
Tips for a beautiful shahi chitthi
- Match the hamper to the card: share your card design so colours and fonts on tags match.
- Keep the card protected: a sleeve or frame stops it getting crushed in transit.
- Hand-deliver to elders yourself, and use delivery for the wider list.
- Take photos of the shahi chitthi hampers before they go out; they become part of your wedding album.
Delivering shahi chitthi hampers across Delhi NCR
Most Delhi families have relatives spread across Rohini, Pitampura, Punjabi Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Janakpuri, South Delhi, Dwarka, Gurgaon and Noida. Make one address list with each guest's name, address and hamper type, then group deliveries by area, for example North and West Delhi on one day and Gurgaon or Noida on another.
Shahi chitthi hampers from Demould
Demould is a bakery and gifting studio in Delhi. Our shahi chitthi and invitation hampers pair your card with treats freshly baked in our own kitchen, dry fruits and keepsake packaging, finished by hand in our gifting studio. Every hamper can be customised: the doli, box or tray, the colours, the contents, name tags and the couple's monogram. We make single showpiece hampers for elders as well as matching invitation boxes in bulk, and deliver across Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida.
See our shahi chitthi hampers and wedding invitation hampers, or tell us exactly what you want on our Customise Gifting page. Sending sweets to relatives too? Read our guide to wedding bhaji boxes. For the rest of the wedding, see our guides to roka hampers, ring ceremony hampers and the best wedding hampers in Delhi NCR.
Plan your shahi chitthi hampers with us
Online ordering isn't active on our website, so the quickest way to plan is to talk to us directly. Send us your wedding date, card design, number of hampers for each guest group and your budget on WhatsApp (+91 84479 25050), or fill in the form on our Customise Gifting page. We'll come back with designs that match your card and colours.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shahi chitthi?
A shahi chitthi is the first wedding invitation, carried by hand to the family's closest elders, the gurudwara or temple, usually with sweets and dry fruits. It is common in Punjabi and many North Indian families.
What is sent with a shahi chitthi?
Traditionally sweets and dry fruits. Today many families send it in a decorated hamper such as a doli, glass box or floral tray, with the invitation, mithai or baked treats, dry fruits and a keepsake.
Who receives the shahi chitthi first?
Usually the gurudwara or temple and the eldest members of the family, followed by close relatives. Customs vary, so follow what your elders prefer.
When should the shahi chitthi be sent?
Most families send it about 5–6 weeks before the wedding, before the other cards go out.
How much does a shahi chitthi hamper cost in Delhi?
Showpiece shahi chitthi hampers usually cost ₹5,000 and above, close-family trays ₹2,500 to ₹3,500, and invitation boxes for guests ₹1,500 to ₹2,500, depending on the design and contents.
Can I add the couple's photo or names to the hamper?
Yes. We can add a framed photo of the couple, their names or monogram, and match the hamper to your card design and colours.
How many shahi chitthi hampers do I need?
Most families need 5–15 showpiece hampers for elders, one tray per close relative's household, and one invitation box per household on the wider list.
Do you deliver shahi chitthi hampers in Gurgaon and Noida?
Yes. We deliver across Delhi NCR, including Delhi, Gurgaon (Gurugram) and Noida. Share your address list on WhatsApp and we'll plan delivery by area.