This week in lifestyle, India’s festive season shaped how people host, cook and decorate. Diwali celebrations got more personal, and restaurants rolled out fresh menus. Meanwhile, book lovers and craft shoppers found plenty to plan for later this month. Here is what stood out and why it matters for everyday life at home.
Why this week in lifestyle is about stories
Across food, gifts, books and crafts, one idea ran through the week. People want things that carry a story and feel personal. That is easy to act on at any budget. A themed table, a handmade gift or a book from a local festival all make a day feel more thoughtful.
Diwali gets more personal
Business Standard’s Indulgence section looked at how hosts now plan Diwali. Planners describe parties built around stories, with separate zones for music, games and dining. Decor leans on projection mapping, floating diyas and rich textiles. You do not need a large budget to borrow the idea. Instead, think of one theme, one colour and one memorable detail, and let the rest stay simple.
Gifts lean towards the handmade
The same report says handwoven textiles, fragrances and narrative art are in demand as gifts. In other words, people want presents with a story, not a brand name. That is a useful signal for any shopper. A handloom scarf or a small piece of local art often says more than a boxed set. For pantry gifts, our guide to the Agmark label on honey and ghee helps you choose with more confidence.
New menus bring winter to the table
Restaurants in several cities launched limited menus, according to the Local Eats Edit. Burma Burma has an “Across Borders” menu that runs from 1 November to 15 December. Yauatcha’s “One Night in Kowloon” menu runs in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata over the same dates. Manam Chocolate starts a winter menu on 15 November. Hangyo also added a Belagavi Kunda ice cream flavour. Meanwhile, Chef Aanal Kotak represents India at the World Tapas Championship in Spain from 9 to 11 November. Because the menus are time limited, a midweek visit is a calm way to try them.
Book festivals line up the cold months
Time Out India has a list of literature festivals worth bookmarking. The Shillong Literary Festival runs from 12 to 14 November. Then the Dehradun Literature Festival follows from 27 to 29 November, and the Jaipur Literature Festival arrives in January. If you plan to go, our page on the Dehradun Literature Festival has the dates and venue. Festivals like these are a gentle way to find your next read. They also bring writers and readers into the same room, which a screen rarely does.
IITF opens the doors to Indian crafts
The India International Trade Fair runs from 13 to 27 November at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. OneIndia reported the dates too. Business visitors enter from 14 to 18 November, and the public can visit from 19 November. More than 3,500 exhibitors are expected, from states and ministries to artisans and start-ups. This year’s theme is “Vikas aur Virasat”, which pairs progress with heritage. For home shoppers, it is a good place to see textiles, crafts and regional food in one visit. Our IITF 2026 guide lists the dates and the nearest Metro.
The one to watch
Watch how the handmade and the local keep winning attention in homes and gifts. People now want things with a story. So craft fairs and small makers are likely to benefit as the wedding and winter season begins. That makes the IITF public days from 19 November the one to watch. Also, as the weather cools, our guide on how to wash a woollen sweater at home is a handy read.