Editor's note

Welcome back! Back to school, back from vacation and back to reality! With many of us returning to our normal lives, a lot of us are preparing for the holy month of Ramadan. Known in bringing many closer to religion, Ramadan is also a time to get closer to friends and family. Statistics show an increase in time spent with loved ones during this month over the rest of the year. Though Ramadan is a month for fasting, you can still come and indulge yourself florally at Exotica.

Novelties & Trends

Spice up your sunset feast with an appetizing floral centerpiece! Add a fresh touch among the sea of sweet and savory dish spread to make your meal not only hunger quenching but appealing to the eye. Our Ramadan centerpiece will compliment your table spreads in more ways than one. Adorned with fragrant spices and fresh flowers, these floral additions are sweet smelling and mouth watering!

Fresh Picks

Invited out for a traditional home cooked ‘Iftar’? Skip the rich sugary dessert as a hostess gift, nobody needs the extra calories. Why not charm your hosts with a vibrant cheerful flower offering or mix dessert and flowers with Exotica’s exclusive Ramadan delights. Including dry fruits, nuts and even a bottle of Jallab, they make the perfect gift in return for a home cooked meal, both prepared with love.

Hot And Happening

Commemorate the holy month by visiting a holy place! An Islamic, yet open to all religions, attraction in Abu Dhabi is the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Frequented by many tourists and locals alike, this fascinating architectural creation is majestically built in memory of the late Sheikh Zayed and serves as a place of worship and an educational attraction at once.

Plants

Want a plant that will share your patience and tolerance? A succulent plant that can wait till sunset and beyond will be your source of inspiration during this time of the year. The Echevaria is known to sustain itself for long periods of time without much water and maintain its beautiful appearance. It comes in many shapes and sizes and looks best arranged in groups.

Green Tips

In a month where all thoughts turn to peace, serenity and well being, we can well use this time to tap into our eco consciousness and limit our wasteful habits. Though most the day is spent without eating, the latter half is dedicated to the preparation and consumption of food. A few tips can easily make for a green Ramadan.

• Prepare your home cooked meals using local grown fruits and vegetables. Produce that has traveled less in order to make it to your local supermarkets, leaves behind less carbon footprints. All UAE major supermarkets label their fresh produce with their place of harvest.
• Statistics show an increase in visits to groceries during this month, as people cook more than usual and have the need to stock up. Why not go for a ‘green bag’, a reusable shopping bag as opposed to nylon bags. This limits wastes and usage of non recyclable bags.

Flowerature

One of the reasons for this month of fasting is to become more thankful for things usually taken for granted such as food and drink. With our many gift ideas created exclusively for Ramadan, you are likely to also be thankful for receiving one of them! Warm the heart of your gift giver with these words of kindness:
Thanks For The Gift
Thank you for the lovely gift;
You didn’t have to do it.
You have a good and gracious heart,
But then, I always knew it.
I love this, and I think of you
With fondness and with pleasure;
The gift is great, but even more,
It’s your thoughtfulness I treasure.

Joanna Fuchs

Fab Finds

The culmination of Ramadan brings with it the Eid festivities where people end their fasting days with a celebration. Greetings are exchanged and gifts are given. In a struggling economy and more attention being paid on spending, we all want to show much love with little to spend on it. Buy into one of our delicious fab finds and end the fasting with a treat!

© 2009 Exotica Emirates LLC

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Abu Dhabi Tourist Club Area near Abu Dhabi Mall P O Box: 54775, Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971 2 6444416 Fax: +971 2 6447749

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Al Quoz, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 347 3260 Fax: +971 4 347 3261

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