Gifts set to make Friendship Day special

CHANDIGARH: The bonds of true friendship are impervious to time���s weathering effect and as unvarying as the Pole Star. The first Sunday of every August is the time to celebrate these bonds as that is the occasion of Friendship Day.
As it is a time for giving presents to friends, gift shops all over the city have stocked up. Friendship bands, greeting cards, stuffed toys and coffee mugs are among the gifts that are helping people express their appreciation for their friends.
Karan Gulati, owner of Archies Gallery, Sector 17, says, ���We have over 125 types of friendship bands here, priced between Rs 15 to Rs 200.They are made of real shells, crystals and leather along with a new range of magnets and key chains.���
The shop also has an extensive range of coffee mugs with catchy one-liners meant exclusively for the occasion.
Gulati adds that as these items are quite affordable, many people buy them. ���We also see older people purchasing these. It shows that such occasions have become important to us all,��� he said.
There is also a soft toy collection available at the shop. Toys featured in that cost between Rs 400 to Rs 1,500.
Haryana Store in Sector-8 is offering a collection of chocolates for the occasion, which come in shapes like medals and hearts and cost between Rs 12 to Rs 100.
���Our bestselling items are mementos and bands, as most of our customers are students,��� says the shop���s owner, Rishab.
Sector-15 resident Sushil Arora says, ���Friendship Day is a nice way to mark the special character of this bond. I get together with my friends from college and we chill out together on the occasion.���