Singing Bowl Gift Guide - Which Bowl for Which Person and Occasion
For most people, the best singing bowl gift is a small or medium hand-cast bowl with free engraving. For someone who already practises, choose a hand-hammered bowl, and for a birth or a wedding, choose a full moon bowl engraved with the date.
Key takeaways
- Choose by person: beginner, regular practitioner, couple or healer.
- Add engraving: a name, a date or a short message, and it is free.
- Nothing else to buy: a mallet and cushion come with every bowl.
- Order early: dispatch is 3-4 business days from Kathmandu, plus delivery.
Which singing bowl makes a good gift?
The one that fits the person. A first-time owner and a working healer need very different bowls.
What a bowl means as a gift is covered in the spiritual meaning of giving a singing bowl. This guide is about choosing the right one.
Which bowl for which person?
| The person | Give | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Has never owned a bowl | A hand-cast bowl from our beginner and gift singing bowls | Easy to play and costs less |
| Likes colour and design | Chakra painted hand-cast singing bowl | Painted by hand, in several sizes |
| Travels or works at a desk | Palm size singing bowl | Small and light, held on the palm |
| Meditates most days | A bowl from our meditation singing bowls | 5 to 12 inch, C note, chosen for sitting practice |
| Teaches yoga | A medium hand-hammered bowl with a brocade carry bag | A bowl for class, and a bag to carry it |
| Is a healer or serious student | A set of bowls, or a bowl designed for them | They will know the note and size they want |
For teachers, our post on singing bowls for yoga teachers explains how a bowl is used in class.
Which bowl for which occasion?
| Occasion | Give | What to engrave |
|---|---|---|
| Birthday | A hand-cast or palm size bowl | Their name |
| New baby | A full moon bowl with the birth moon date | The child's name and the date |
| Wedding or anniversary | A full moon bowl with the wedding moon date | Both names and the date |
| New home | A medium bowl for the main room | The family name or a short blessing |
| Thank you to a teacher | A hand-hammered bowl | A short message of thanks |
| In memory of someone | A full moon bowl with the date | Their name and a short line |
Dated gifts are made on the full moon date engraved singing bowl, from our full moon singing bowls. Our guide to choosing a full moon date for engraving shows which date fits each occasion.
Looking for an easy gift?
See our hand-cast beginner and gift bowls. A mallet and cushion come with every bowl, and engraving is free.
What comes with the gift?
Everything needed to play it. A mallet and a cushion come with every bowl, and engraving is free.
How do you make the gift personal?
- A name: the simplest engraving, and it never dates.
- A date: a birthday, a wedding day or a full moon.
- A mantra: a few words from the tradition the person follows.
- A short message: three to six words read well on a curved bowl.
To choose the size, finish and wording together, use the custom singing bowl page. You can also ask for a note there, and it is met by selection after your order arrives.
Do you need to know their note or chakra?
No. For a gift, choose by the person and the occasion, and leave the note open.
A hand-hammered bowl's note is discovered, not made. Sunita plays the bowls in your size after the order arrives and chooses one from her experience in practice.
When should you order?
Earlier than you think. Bowls are dispatched from Kathmandu in 3-4 business days by DHL Express, and delivery time comes on top of that.
For a wedding, a birthday or a festival, order well ahead so the gift is in your hands before the day.
What are the common mistakes when giving a singing bowl?
- Too big: giving a large, heavy bowl to someone with little space.
- Too advanced: giving a full set to someone who has never played one bowl.
- Too many words: engraving a long sentence that becomes small and hard to read.
- Too late: ordering a few days before the occasion.
- Promising results: telling the person what the bowl will do for them, when a bowl is simply a lovely thing to play.
What should you do next?
Pick the row that matches your person, then decide on the engraving. If they are new to bowls, our guide to a first singing bowl explains why a hand-cast bowl is a good start.
Frequently asked questions
Which singing bowl makes a good gift?
For most people, a small or medium hand-cast bowl with free engraving. It is easy to play, arrives with its mallet and cushion, and suits someone who has never owned a bowl.
What is a good singing bowl gift for a yoga teacher?
A hand-hammered bowl of a medium size that they can use in class. A carry bag is a useful extra for someone who travels to teach.
What can I engrave on a singing bowl gift?
A name, a date, a mantra or a short message. Engraving is free, and a few words read better than a long line on a curved bowl.
Is a singing bowl a good wedding gift?
Yes. A full moon bowl engraved with the full moon date nearest the wedding, and both names, is a gift made for one couple only.
Do I need to know the person's chakra or note?
No. For a gift, choose by the person and the occasion, and leave the note open so the bowl can be chosen for its sound.
How early should I order a singing bowl gift?
Order early. Bowls are dispatched from Kathmandu in 3-4 business days by DHL Express, and delivery time comes on top of that.
Does the gift come with a mallet and cushion?
Yes. A mallet and a cushion come with every bowl, so the person can play it the day it arrives.
Want a gift made for one person only?
Choose the size and finish, and add a name, a date or a short message. Engraving is free.
