Thinking out of the angbao box

While it's convenient to simply go for wedding packages that include everything from wedding cards to the angbao box, sometimes it's fun (and cheaper!) to add a personal touch to your wedding. 

After all, if you think about it, every wedding is almost the same. There are hardly any themes to speak of and they all seemed to be made from the same template. Add a little of your and your husband's personality to your wedding so it'll be more memorable for your guests! =3

The angbao box is a good place to start so I've included some sites and DIY ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

Birdcage

Angbao boxes are usually used to collect the ang baos from guests but they don't have to be boring. In fact, you can decorate it using materials you can buy from places like Spotlight and Art Friend. Or you can use an alternative container such as a birdcage! I'm personally quite taken by the idea myself so I went to google for it and here are some lovely examples:

• Antique style (you can also find it here)
• Rectangle style
• Gazebo style

If you want to buy local, you can source for it at places like Arab Street, Chinatown, Raffles City, pet shops at Serangoon North, florist shops at the top floor of The Verge (formerly known as Tekka Mall) or check out online sites like Love Droplets.To rent, check out Golden Happiness for their rather impressive range of birdcages. Renting is a good idea because you won't be stuck with something you might not want after the ceremony. LOL. Taobao is also a good place to source for the affordable birdcages.

If you think the birdcage is too, well, revolutionary for you, they also have the normal type of angbao boxes.

DIY

Have a creative bone in your body and wanna try doing your own angbao box? Like I mentioned above, you can source for art materials from different places. In fact, here's a tip for you if you want to know where to look for certain materials. Check out the cosplay forums like SGcafe. They are full of valuable tips and advice you can check out for your own reference because some cosplayers make their own costumes and therefore need all the lobangs they can get. =3

Boxes are usually available from your own office so if there are any empty ones lying around, ask if you can grab them for your angbao box. Paper, stationary and art materials can be bought from stores like Popular, Art Friend, Golden Dragon, Spotlight. No boxes to help yourself to? Go to Daiso where they sell really cheap boxes and decorations for a few bucks. What's more, you don't have to stick to the idea of a single tier box! You can do a three-tier angbao box like this:

Picture by Sarah Tay

Or you can use a fishbowl like those used to collect namecards at events and decorate it with flowers or ribbons to give it an extra dash. If that fishbowl is not big enough to hold all your guests' angbaos, get a big glass jar (the ones that they use to contain biscuits at those snack shops) and surround it the decorations you love! =3

For more ideas, visit these sites to get inspired:

• Jus & Yvn's Love World
• Shirley's site
• Singapore Brides thread on DIY ang bao boxes
• Wedding Knots

There are more, just google "DIY Angbao boxes" to get your fill. =3

Too lazy or not so creative to make one of your own? Check out the following sites for ready-made angbao boxes:

• SG Wedding Favours
• Lovely Lacey 
• Wedding Gifts Singapore

Boggled by the endless possibilities out there on the internet? Well, wedding planning doesn't have to be boring. =3 Have fun with your personal touch!

If you have interesting ideas on how to convert your angbao box into a piece of memorable art, do email me or send me the pictures of your creation! I'll be happy to feature them here if they're interesting enough. =3

Love,
Lilian