The festive season for actor Mahie Gill has begun. "My pet pug, Dona turned six months last weekend.

I love the period from October to December, there's so much festivity around, ` says Mahie as she celebrates Diwali with CS:

Welcoming in wealth
Yes, I do follow the usual tradition of Dhanteras and buy something in gold or silver. I bought myself a diamond ring this time round. I love rings. I am not too much of a jewellery person. It's only during festivals, weddings and events that I wear heavy jewellery in gold or kundan. I like anklets as well.


In prep mode
I am home after two months of non-stop shooting. My domestic help has been cleaning up the house since the past three days. The electrician had come to fix the lights over my windows. Over the weekend, I also shopped for diyas and candles.

I love gifting candles to friends and family. I will decorate my home with lots of lights on Diwali. I love rangolis, though I can't make them. One of my friends makes lovely rangolis, I hope she'll come early on Diwali day and make one.

Shop till you drop
Last year, I bought a home in Goa. This season I have been busy shopping for my place. I purchased a lot of cushions, accessories, cutlery and knick knacks. Though I shop all year round, I like shopping during Diwali because the mood is infectious, with so many people shopping all around.


A cosy house party
I am planning to have a house party for my friends. I enjoy cooking and will make some of my special dishes. For the vegetarians, there'll be methi paneer and dal makhni, which I recently learnt.

My methi paneer is a huge hit, and Tigmanshu (director Tigmanshu Dhulia) calls it Mahi Methi Paneer. I am scared of crackers. I will only be playing with phuljharis and watching the fireworks from my 18th floor apartment.

Gorging on gulab jamuns
My childhood Diwalis were the best ones. My mom used to make gulab jamuns and I used to devour 10-20 of them. Then, I remember playing non-stop with friends, cousins and my uncles and aunties. Lighting Phuljharis, running inside the house at the noise of crackers and so on. Those were the best days of my life.


Diwali in the city
I grew up in Chandigarh, where we lived in bungalows. Since we lived in kothis we couldn't see what was happening outside. In Mumbai, it is different. I would say that celebrations are a lot bigger. I love the fact that Bollywood people are at their warmest best during Diwali.