Ishika Narang is a Multimedia Writer at the Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience in digital journalism, specialising in health, lifestyle, beauty, and consumer-focused reporting. Her primary coverage areas include evidence-based health journalism, preventive care, wellness trends, and affiliate-driven consumer guides tailored for digital audiences. She began her professional journey in digital media, where she developed expertise in multimedia storytelling and platform-optimised editorial strategies. Over the years, she has worked with reputed organisations such as Park+, Jagran, and Wavel.ai, steadily building credibility in health and consumer journalism. Her work reflects a strong progression in editorial responsibility, combining research-backed reporting with audience-focused content formats. At Hindustan Times, she produces in-depth health and lifestyle features, expert-led explainers, and data-informed consumer stories. She also focuses extensively on affiliate articles, creating well-researched buying guides, product comparisons, and recommendation-based content that balances commercial intent with editorial integrity. Alongside writing, she conceptualises and manages social media storytelling, ensuring content is informative, engaging, and optimised for platform-specific consumption. Her subject expertise includes preventive healthcare, nutrition, supplements, women’s health, beauty trends, consumer awareness, and affiliate commerce content. She integrates expert consultations, peer-reviewed research, verified product analysis, and transparent sourcing. Her strengths lie in evidence-based storytelling, simplifying complex information, and producing reader-first affiliate content that prioritises trust and value. Ishika holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Marketing from Guru Gobind Indraprastha University, which enhances her understanding of consumer behaviour, digital commerce, and audience engagement, skills that complement her specialisation in consumer and affiliate journalism. She is committed to ethical reporting, transparent affiliate disclosures, rigorous fact-checking, and maintaining editorial credibility, ensuring every story upholds reader trust and journalistic standards.
When it comes to festive gifting, options such as mithai boxes and fruit baskets are often the first things that come to mind. But if you are looking to try something different this Diwali, consider gifts that are both thoughtful and useful. For someone who enjoys hosting guests, cooking or setting up an elegant dining table, home and kitchen essentials can make interesting choices. From coffee makers and glassware to serving platters and snack bowl sets, there are several options worth exploring. These gifts bring together thoughtful design, craftsmanship and everyday convenience, making them more than just festive gestures. Here are some home-gifting ideas to consider, along with their prices, to help you find something the recipient can actually use rather than pass on, like the familiar box of soan papdi. Small table lamps can be placed on a console or side table, while candle holders can complement a dinner arrangement. Choose designs that suit the recipient’s existing interior so the gift remains useful beyond a single occasion. For lamps, check the size, power source, and lighting requirements. For candle holders, consider their stability and the type of candles they accommodate. I personally love adding candlelight while having dinner, and when hosting, doing this can further enhance the experience.
An electric kettle can be a useful gift for someone who frequently serves tea, coffee or other hot beverages. It makes boiling water convenient, particularly when several guests are visiting, and beverages need to be prepared quickly. Regular or basic electric kettles are suitable for everyday use, while options with temperature settings may appeal to people who enjoy different types of tea and coffee. Glass and stainless steel designs are among the options available. Check the kettle’s capacity, wattage, safety features, automatic shut-off function and ease of cleaning before purchasing one. A compact model may be more suitable for a smaller kitchen, while a larger capacity can be helpful for someone who regularly hosts parties. For someone who frequently hosts larger gatherings, a beverage dispenser can be a practical addition to their home. It allows guests to serve themselves, making it easier to arrange drinks without repeatedly attending to the serving area. Glass dispensers with taps are commonly used for serving lemonade, iced tea, fruit-infused water and other cold beverages. Some designs come with stands, while others can be placed directly on a counter or table. Before choosing one, check its capacity, tap quality, ease of cleaning and stability. A wide opening can also make it easier to add ice and fruit slices or clean the container after use. Serving platters and trays can make useful festive gifts for people who enjoy arranging food for guests. Whether they are serving snacks during a casual get-together or presenting appetisers at a dinner party, the right serving accessories can make the arrangement look more inviting. Ceramic platters work well for serving snacks, starters and desserts, while wooden boards can be used for presenting cheese, bread and other appetisers. Marble trays can also add an elegant touch to a serving arrangement. Consider gifting a set of serving platters in different shapes and sizes so the recipient can use them for different types of gatherings. Check the material and cleaning requirements before making a choice, especially if the product is intended for regular use, before selecting this as a gifting idea. A coffee maker can be a thoughtful gift for Diwali to someone who enjoys welcoming guests over for brunch, evening conversations or weekend gatherings. Instead of serving instant coffee, they can prepare freshly brewed beverages at home and offer guests different options. When choosing one, consider its capacity, ease of cleaning, brewing options and counter space requirements. If the recipient enjoys experimenting with coffee, a machine with additional brewing features may be a suitable choice.
