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SPECIAL | Blending Customs with the Mohans

How different are the festivities going to be this year? What is your OOTD or OOTN going to be? The lockdown has effected the celebrations a little, as Since Hyderabad is a perfect amalgamation of urban this year it’s going be a small intimate gathering, but the progressiveness and traditional values, I have decided rejoicing spirit is the same. From video calls to parcelling to represent that in my outfit as well. I’m blending the sweets to relatives in different cities, it’s all about celebrating Pochampally Ikhat woven designs with the intricately the oneness of the family. designed Charminar and Falaknuma Palace show that. This Any special dish or dessert you look forward to preparing? I’m pairing with the timeless Nizami Satlada of pearls. Our city’s flag and state bird, Pala Pitta is also on the outfit as a symbol of good luck.Along with the traditional sweets, I can’t wait to enjoy some delicious Baked Shahi Tukda.

| SPECIAL Hearty Celebrations At the Reddys

How different are the festivities going to be this year? The lockdown has taught us never take the small simple pleasures for granted. Although the festivities may look different this year, we will still have our immediate family for lunch and festivities. Like every year, we will have the Lakshmi pooja in the morning and prepare various traditional sweets for the occasion.

Any special dish or dessert you look forward to preparing? The family favourite is Shahi Tukda, so that is definitely going to be there. We will also make other traditional sweets like Sutarfeni and Bobbatlu.

What is your OOTD or OOTN going to be? My choice will always be Saree for the occasion. Handwoven fabric, handmade embroidery will always be unbeatable and unique.

SPECIAL | Sweet Traditions with the Pingles

How different are the festivities going to be this year? We have always been very private about our celebrations, so will continue to celebrate all our festivals as we used to. Festivals are a good opportunity to spend some quality time together as a family, so we will have a small gathering, dress up, indulge with great food and sweets, and make memories.

Any special dish or dessert you look forward to preparing? It’s always about home-made traditional food and desserts for us. It is that time of the year where we wait to indulge on those home-made goodies and sweets.

What is your OOTD or OOTN going to be? Something festive, traditional and comfortable.

| SPECIAL Homespun Festivities of the Suranas

How different are the festivities going to be this year? Diwali is all about family, and this year it’s not going to be any different. Our immediate family will get together, have a small Pooja, eat a nice home cooked meal and play cards. I guess the only difference is this year we won’t be going to our friends and relatives to visit.

Any special dish or dessert you look forward to preparing We are going to have the traditional sweets this year like Motichoor Laddu, Kaju Katli, Ras malaai and Kalakhand.

What is your OOTD or OOTN going to be? A. Definitely colourful sarees for the ladies and Kurta Pyjamas for the men.

Warm Celebrations with the Virks

How different are the festivities going to be this year? Since I’m sending this Diwali back at home in Delhi, it’s going to be a precious time to look forward to. We’ve always had intimate gatherings with friends and family, so this time around it’s going to be the same, except with masks on!

Any special dish or dessert you look forward to preparing? A. Being a North Indian I love bingeing on Gulab Jamuns and Dodha, but I look forward to making chocolate cake this year for the celebrations.

What is your OOTD or OOTN going to be? My OOTD is going to be a beautiful Saree as my son loves me in them, and I feel it’s the most elegant attire for the festivities.

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Handcrafted Happiness Delivered!

The celebrations this year around might be a little different, but that will not dampen our festive spirits! Though we cannot visit a lot of our relatives and friends to greet and gift on Diwali this year, we can still make sure that our love and good wishes reach them. And hampers are a good way to do so. Many establishments are crafting special Diwali hampers for us to gift our loved ones, and these bundles of joy include a lot of goodies! To make your choice easier, we give you a sneak peek of the best ones to get your hands on this year. Here’s what in store for you.

COFFEE SCIENTISTS

A treat for the coffee lovers! Coffee Scientists make one of a kind coffee pastes in nine delicious flavours, each made freshly every day. Each jar makes 4 cups of café style coffee at the comfort of your home. They also have a DIY option which lets you combine flavours and pick a sweetner of your choice. The pastes make an instant froth while preparing, making it even more magical. What we loved about these aromatic coffee pastes, is that they taste like the coffee we drink at our favourite cafés. The jars make for a perfect treat to pamper yourself in winter mornings and a great gift for the upcoming festive season! Instagram: @coffee.scientists ; Contact: +91 8523031011

THE BAKING CULTURE

You can never go wrong with baked goodies! The Baking Culture offers a big range of gifting options this season. They have the perfect combination of classic, most loved desserts and festive fusion flavours. From Gulam Jamun Cheesecake Jar, GulkhandMacroons, Brookies and even Cookie Dough Balls, the flavours will surely leave you in awe! Some of the hampers also include hand-painted diyas and muchies as well. We are all of the fusion desserts, a little fun mixed with tradition is all we need this season! Instagram: @the_baking_culture Contact: +91 6381918677

CHAT COMPANY

Chai Pani’s homegrown brand, Chat Company is introducing some very traditional gifting options. Made to suit the Indian palate perfectly, the hampers are sure to bring delight and nostalgia to anyone who savours them. From crunchy Namak Para to spicy Crispy Bites, they have it all! From Dry Fruits to Diyas, their hampers tend to every detail. We really really love the pretty diyas they add in their hamper, and that this is a very budget friendly gifting option. Instagram: @chaipanihyd Contact: +91 9863636303

BARS OF BLISS

Calling all Chocoholics! Bars of Bliss customize chocolates that have a “never before”, fresh taste. If you want to go for something healthy, then they blend in chocolates with your favourite nuts and fruits as well. They make the chocolates in different shapes and sizes according to the occasion, which looks totally adorable! If you want to try something different from the traditional gifting options, then these hampers are an apt choice. We love how they incorporate the occasion into their products. For example, on the occasion of Diwali they have moulded their chocolates into firecrackers and have used elegant pinewood trays for the packaging! Instagram: @barsofbliss47 Contact: +91 7093501516

NavyaTibrewal, started this venture in June 2020, out of passion to infuse traditional flavours into sweet, delectable cupcakes. The hamper includes a wide range of products, from their best-selling cupcakes to special Mawa tea cakes. They also include breadsticks, homemade spreads and adorable cheesecake jars. Definitely something to try during this festive season! We love how the fusion of flavours is perfectly balanced. Not one flavour overpowers the other, and melt in our mouths in perfect harmony! Instagram: @thebatterbar_ Contact: +91 8897168201

A SWEET WHISK

Fusion desserts are the pick of the season. Sweet Whisks offer a unique range of popular desserts like Gulab jamun and Jalebi cupcakes that is definitely our favourite. Besides these delectable sweets, the hamper also includes jars of spicy roasted Fox nuts, Praline candies, Espresso almond clusters and dried cranberry granola. They also offer marble loaf, brownie cups and Cheese sticks! What we love the most about all these goodies is that they offer a unique mix of flavours and textures of global cuisine, yet are very Desi at heart! Instagram: @asweetwhisk Contact: +91 9100491711

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MISS BAKERS OVEN We really admire the how Miss Baker’s Oven made sure that every one can be indulgent this festive season with sugar-free and eggless desserts. They have a big range of healthy desserts that taste the same as any other of their delicious sweets. They have for you a variety of Cakes, Cookies, Brownies, Cupcakes, Shortbreads, Tres Leche’s dessert cake, Tea Cakes and a lot more to choose from. The baked goods are rich, flavourful with no compromise on quality. These goodies for anyone with a sweet-tooth and love for sweet treats! Instagram: @missbakersoven Contact: +91 9703889708

NAQSH

When in Hyderabad, do like the Hyderabadis! If you wish to gift something authentic this year then Naqsh is here to offer you the royal taste of the 120 years old recipe. Handcrafted, delectable, home-made, Naqsh is famous for it’s Badam and Kaju kiJaali, Boat ka Halwa and Mask keLouz. All of this, to make your Diwali sweeter! It’s a perfect gift if you want to savour the flavours of Hyderabad or to introduce someone to authentic Hyderabadi sweets. We love the rich, luscious flavours. They absolutely do not compromise on their quality, and it shows in their final product. Instagram: @naqsh_hyderabad Contact: +91 8688450186

THE BODY SHOP

The atmosphere is bustling with joy, togetherness, lights and of course, Gifts. If you wish to do something unique this year, Body Shop has it all covered for you. They have thoughtfully designed, body-nourishing gift hampers. Their hampers include body essentials, top class skin care products and body washes, made with trusted, quality products. You could select from the pre-made hampers or have a go at the Create Your Own Gift, for that personal touch. We appreciate and applaud The Body Shop’s initiative to partner with Plastic for Change (PFC) to set up N.A.R.I. (NutritionAbility-Retraining-Inclusion) to raise funds for the Women Waste Pickers of our country. For every voluntary consumer donation, the Body Shop will donate an equivalent amount for the cause. Instagram: @thebodyshopindia Contact: +01244 171444

GOOD GIRL GONE LAB

Test tubes are synonymous with experimenting, right? Well, try out this Good Girl’s self-care products and you will think of fun and fragrance next time you see a test tube! Good Girl Gone Lab brew bath salts, exotic teas and healthy treats that will have you hooked instantly. The packaging is done cute little test tubes, that gives it the extra oomph, we keep searching for! They also recently launched hand sanitizer, made with natural ingredients like essential oils and aloe vera. We cannot wait to try out their Dark Chocolate Granola and Salted Caramel Seed Mix! Instagram: @goodgirlgonelab Contact: 9840925588

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Essentials for a Bling-ful Diwali

One of the best things about Diwali has to be, Dressing Up! Who doesn’t love to some ‘SolahSringar’ on a festive occasion? Those who have not yet decided what out and jewelry to wear, we have here for you some elegant and trendy suggestions. Those who have already decided, you might want to take a look at these!

SAJKE SajKe is a clothing brand that not only wants to make people look beautiful, but also feel beautiful. They present to you perfect blend of authentic with a modern twist. They have options of Ajrakh, Bandhani and Kalamkaari. They also have collection of home décor, something you don’t want to miss! They’re products are eco-friendly and they function on a zerowaste policy. So if you wish to go for sustainable fashion, then SajKe is for you. Instagram: @sajke.in Contact: +91 9558708430

T3’S JEWELS AND GEMS Accessorizing is the most important part of any outfit. And here is some dazzling, intricately handcrafted jewelry for you to complete your look with. From Jhumkas to Chand baalis, and from anklets to necklaces, they have a whole collection for you to choose from. Instagram: @t3sjewelsgems

Dfor Diwali, for Décor! Diwali is on its way, which means a lots of fun and decorations! Revamp your home, welcome happiness and prosperity in style. Decorate house with aesthetic art, cutlery, mystical candle-holders this year to uplift the festive spirit. And if you are confused between a sea of choices, then here we have few of our favourite ideas to up the game this year. - By Masooma Fatima