Diwali is over, the diyas are packed away, and the festival of brother and sister, Bhai Dooj, is right around the corner. You have the Tika thali ready, but what do you give your brother or sister this time? Sweets disappear in a day, and showpieces gather dust. A plant is a different and unique gift for this festival. Keep the plant on a desk, balcony, or window, and the...

Navratri is one of those festivals that changes the entire feel of a home. Diyas are lit every evening, the sound of dhol fills the air, and each day is dedicated to a different form of Maa Durga. But one thing that truly makes this festival special is the flowers for Navratri offered during the puja - they aren't just decoration; each flower carries a deep meaning connected to the...

Do you remember the last few weddings you attended? How many of the return gifts are still with you? The steel box, the decorative showpiece, the scented candle that never got lit? Most of us can't remember. Many of these gifts end up in a cupboard, get passed on to someone else, or get thrown out within a few months. That is why more couples are rethinking wedding return gifts....

Every year, as Diwali comes closer, the same question pops up in every office: what should we gift this time? Sweets get finished in two days. Dry fruit boxes look the same everywhere. Gift vouchers feel a bit cold. This is why more companies are now choosing plant gifts. This is the trend now because everyone loves the greenery. A small green plant on a desk stays for months, even...

Every year around November, I notice the same thing in my neighbourhood. Gardens that looked lush in the monsoon turn tired and brown, and people shrug and say, "Garden season is over." It isn't. Winter is the best time to grow flowers in most parts of India, because the cool mornings, mild afternoons, and soft sunlight suit a huge range of plants. Whether you have a big lawn, a few...

Once the mornings turn cool, most people put their gardening tools away and call it a day. But November is actually when a winter vegetable garden in India starts to shine. The weather is mild, pests are fewer, weeds grow slowly, and vegetables like spinach, meethi, and carrots taste sweeter in the cold. Cold weather is a gift the perfect time for vegetables if you want to grow your own...